Dartmoor National Park is located in the county of Devon in southwest England. Known for its wild, untamed landscape and granite tors, Dartmoor provides excellent habitat for a variety of bird species. The open moorlands, blanket bogs, woodlands, and river valleys of Dartmoor support a diversity of breeding birds throughout the spring and summer months. This article explores what bird species nest and raise their young in Dartmoor and when peak breeding season occurs.
What is the breeding season for birds in Dartmoor?
The breeding season for most birds in Dartmoor runs from late March through August. Some species begin nesting quite early while others start later in the spring or even into summer. Here is an overview of the breeding timeline for Dartmoor birds:
– Early breeders (nesting from March-April): Blackbird, song thrush, dipper, stonechat, meadow pipit, grey wagtail, raven, buzzard, peregrine falcon
– Mid-season breeders (nesting May-June): Whitethroat, willow warbler, spotted flycatcher, cuckoo, skylark, wheatear, whinchat, reed bunting, sparrowhawk
– Late breeders (nesting June-August): Swallow, house martin, swift, kestrel, hobby
The timing allows birds to take advantage of the peak season for insects, seeds, and berries to feed their chicks. Weather conditions on Dartmoor also warm up sufficiently for breeding as spring progresses into summer.
What are the most common breeding birds in Dartmoor?
Over 60 species of birds breed regularly in Dartmoor. Some of the most numerous and widespread breeding birds include:
– Skylark: A small brown bird known for its hovering song flights over open areas. Nests on the ground in moorland and grassland habitats.
– Meadow pipit: A streaky brown songbird that nests in moorland vegetation and grass tussocks. Dartmoor is a stronghold for meadow pipits.
– Stonechat: A small perching bird that breeds in scrubby vegetation, nesting low in gorse and heather.
– Whitethroat: A summer warbler species with a scratchy song; nests in thick scrub and hedgerows.
– Willow warbler: A very common summer warbler with a delicate song; nests in shrubs and trees across the moors.
– Buzzard: A large soaring raptor that can be seen circling over woodlands; nests in trees and on rocky ledges.
– Kestrel: Often hovers while hunting small mammals and birds over grasslands and heath; nests in crevices and old nests.
– Swallow: Breeds readily around human habitation near the moorland edges; nests in barns and other structures.
When do moorland birds breed?
The open expanses of heather moorland provide habitat for specialized upland bird species on Dartmoor. Some key moorland nesting birds and their breeding seasons include:
– Golden plover: Breeds April-June, nests on ground often near rocks or tufts of grass.
– Curlew: Breeds April-July, large wading bird nests on moorland fringe.
– Snipe: Breeds April-August constructing nests in long grass and heather.
– Red grouse: Resident species breeding March-July, nests hidden in heather and grass.
– Wheatear: Breeds May-July, ground nester favoring stone walls and rocky outcrops.
– Cuckoo: Lays eggs in other birds’ nests, especially meadow pipit, April-June.
The open moorlands warm earlier than the forested valleys, triggering nesting activity in the hardy moorland specialists starting as early as April. Hardy chicks fledge quickly on the insect-rich moors by late summer.
What woodland birds breed in Dartmoor?
Dartmoor’s native oak and conifer woodlands harbor a suite of breeding birds. Some of the most common woodland breeders include:
– Blue tit: Nesting April-June in tree cavities, nest boxes, and old woodpecker holes.
– Great spotted woodpecker: Drums on trees to declare breeding territory then nests in tree cavities from April-May.
– Nuthatch: Breeds April-May, nests in tree holes plastering small mud entrance around hole.
– Pied flycatcher: A summer visitor nesting in old woodpecker cavities from May-July.
– Siskin: Breeds late April-June nesting high in conifers, especially larch plantations.
– Treecreeper: Breeds April-June nesting behind loose bark on tree trunks and cracks.
– Tawny owl: Nesting March-May with a deep hooting call, uses old crow or squirrel nests.
Woodland edges, clearings, and streamsides also support breeding spotted flycatchers, willow warblers, chiffchaffs, blackbirds, and warblers.
When do birds of prey breed in Dartmoor?
Dartmoor supports good populations of breeding raptors or birds of prey. Nesting seasons are:
– Common buzzard: March-Early May, large stick nests high in trees.
– Sparrowhawk: April-June, small stick nests hidden in conifers.
– Kestrel: April-July, in holes and ledges on cliffs or buildings.
– Hobby: May-July, slender falcon nesting at the tops of trees.
– Peregrine falcon: April-May, scrapes on steep cliffs and quarries.
– Tawny owl: March-May, in tree holes or old crow/squirrel nests.
– Long-eared owl: April-May nests in dense thickets and young conifer stands.
– Barn owl: April-September nesting in hollow trees, caves, and old buildings.
Many raptors have more than one brood so will nest multiple times from spring through summer.
Which garden and farmland birds breed in Dartmoor?
The mosaic of gardens, orchards, and farmed fields surrounding Dartmoor’s central moorlands provide prime breeding habitat for other bird species including:
– House sparrow: Abundant breeder April-August around human habitations.
– Jackdaw: April-May nesting in chimneys, rock crevices, and old buildings.
– Swift: Screaming parties over villages as they nest May-August under eaves and roof spaces.
– Greenfinch: Breeding April-September nesting high in garden shrubs and hedges.
– Bullfinch: Quiet garden nesters March-September, nest in dense shrubs and thickets.
– Grey wagtail: April-July nesting along swift Dartmoor streams and waterways.
– Yellowhammer: April-July, nesting in thick hedges and scrubby field margins.
The breeding success of these birds depends on productive gardens and farms providing food, nesting sites, and reducing pesticide use.
How do birds in Dartmoor build nests and lay eggs?
Birds exhibit amazing engineering and architectural skills when constructing their nests using materials readily available around them.
– Cup nests: Formed from grasses, moss, lichens pressed into a cup stuck into a branch fork or shrub such as blackbird, thrush, finch species.
– Platform nests: Loosely built stick platforms in trees such as hawk, crow, dove species.
– Scrape nests: Shallow depressions scratched into the ground lined with grasses used by skylarks, plovers, grouse.
– Cavity nests: Existing holes and crevices in trees, walls, banks used by tits, flycatchers, owls, woodpeckers.
– Pendant nests: Suspended nests attached to branches as built by swallows, martins, and long-tailed tits.
The female then lays a clutch of eggs that varies in number based on the species. The parents share sitting on the eggs to provide warmth until they hatch after species-specific incubation periods.
How do parent birds care for their chicks?
Once the chicks hatch out of the eggs, the parents switch their full efforts to raising and feeding their brood:
– Keeping chicks warm: Brooding chicks under body or wings until feathers emerge.
– Feeding chicks: Frequent feedings with regurgitated insects or seeds to fuel growth.
– Protecting chicks: Dive bombing intruders, leading predators from nest, carrying chicks to safety.
– Teaching chicks: Parents demonstrate calls, feeding techniques, and other skills chicks will need.
– Fledging chicks: Coaxing first flights from the nest when chicks ready to leave.
This intensely demanding period lasts several weeks. The chicks must grow fast, developing all their flight feathers before they can leave the nest and truly fend for themselves.
What threats do breeding birds face in Dartmoor?
Although rich in wildlife habitat, breeding birds in Dartmoor face a range of threats:
– Habitat loss: Drainage of wetlands and conversion of meadows reduces nesting sites.
– Overgrazing: Too many sheep or cattle trample vegetation and nests.
– Wildfires: Devastating fires on drought-prone moorlands.
– Climate change: Warming temperatures and increased storms impact insect food sources.
– Predators: Foxes, stoats, crows, and gulls prey on eggs and chicks.
– Disease: Trichomonosis parasite has caused declines in greenfinches and chaffinches.
– Disturbance: Walkers, dogs, cyclists, and vehicles flush nesting birds.
Conservation measures such as sustainable grazing levels, fire prevention, and public education aim to protect Dartmoor’s sensitive breeding birds.
Conclusion
Dartmoor National Park provides breeding habitat for a diverse range of upland, woodland, farmland, and bird of prey species. The peak breeding season spans the spring and summer months when birds are nesting and raising chicks across the landscape. Species time their breeding to capitalize on abundant insects for feeding chicks. Parent birds expend tremendous effort building intricate nests, incubating eggs, brooding chicks, and finding enough food. Many challenges remain for conserving threatened breeding bird populations in Dartmoor. But this wilderness stronghold remains one of England’s most important sites for biodiversity. Responsible visitors in the park can minimize impacts to breeding birds by staying on marked footpaths and keeping dogs under control.
References
Books
- Baker, S., Balmer, D., & Risley, K. (2013). Dartmoor – A New Study. Halsgrove.
- Tyler, S. & Ormerod, S. (1994). The Birds of Dartmoor. Devon Bird Watching & Preservation Society.
- Cocker, M. & Tipling, D. (2013). Birds and People. Random House.