Mendip Walk 11th April, Wheatear, Plover

A brilliant 9.5 mile walk across the Mendips. Our walk took us from Tynings farm up to the trig point on Beacon Batch, on to Charterhouse, Ubley Warren, Velvet Bottom, the top of Cheddar Gorge and back to Tynings. A cool day with sunny spells.

Very good numbers of Meadow Pipits, Stonechats and Skylarks on Blackdown. In the nearby fields we had our first view of Mendip Wheatears with about 7 together with some lovely summer plumage Golden Plover.  Both Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler were singing everywhere.

No sign of any Adders at Charterhouse but we did get a nice view of a Common Lizard soaking up the sun. Ravens were busy calling as usual as we walked through Velvet Bottom but alas no sign of a Redstart yet. 

Both the Orchids and Bluebells in Long Wood are still yet to unfold, I guess because it's that bit

cooler on the Mendips. Give it a couple of weeks and Long Wood will be a carpet of blue! 

Stunning views across the Mendips are another bonus to this trek as well as the flora and fauna. Can't wait to do it all again when the bluebells are fully out.

   Meadow Pipit on Blackdown, plenty nesting here

                

                   Stonechat another success of the Mendips

  Golden Plover in summer plumage 

                

                   We saw 6 Plovers in the same field as the Wheatears

   Beautiful Northern Wheatear

                

                   Ubley Warren

          

                

                   Typical Mendip view 

  Common Lizard grabbing a sunny spot

               

    Velvet Bottom

              

   Toothwort - a very good year for this plant, we are finding it everywhere 

                               

                                   Early Purple Orchid                                                          

   Looking across Cheddar Gorge

               

                   Cheddar Reservoir 

   Linnet

                

                  House Sparrow