Table of Contents 1.

Swirling mist or icicles dripping from granite piles, bleached grass or shimmering haze. Here four seasons in a single day is not unusual on Dartmoor. Rising high above the surrounding rolling hills of Devon, the season of frolicking lambs and raucous ravens has given way to leggy foals, gamely trying to keep pace with their mothers, the iconic moorland pony in these parts.

For the moment summer’s end sparkles under the fading heat of the sun. On the boulder strewn slopes of the highest tors the last glory of glowing heather and shining gorse still brighten the view. Many moorland breeding birds have already left for the lowlands or coast, and the last lapwing and curlew will soon be joining other wading birds gathering on the estuary mud. Across the open moor and along wooded edges, whortle and blackberries offer a rich harvest at this time of the year, not only for people but wildlife too. But when picking always leave plenty lower down. Mice, voles, foxes and badgers all have a taste for them too. Vital for wild creatures as the warmth of summer heads south, leaving the residents to prepare for leaner winter months, eating or stockpiling food.

For me at this time of the year, one of the most exciting birds must surely be the Hobby. Never seen one? You probably just blinked and missed it. Fast flying and smaller than a kestrel, the Hobby is agile and elegant, an exciting little hunter to see in action. Only a few of them nest in Devon, although many more pass through on their annual migration in spring and autumn every year. They spend the winter in Africa, like many seasonal birds of prey simply following their food. Now on swift-like wings and with a darting, fast flight, they may be seen over ponds in hot pursuit of a dragonfly. Or perhaps near woodland where they climb steeply into the air, then dive after bats.

A relatively rare bird in Britain, the Hobby is widely scattered across southern England and Wales. Most often seen frequenting flooded gravel pits or woodland edge. Distinct with their slate grey backs, black streaked belly and brick red shorts, a masked face and dark moustache make them unmistakable. Yet many people claim they have never heard of this bird before, but probably have without realizing it. Ever wondered how some popular pastimes get the strangest names? The table-top football game of ‘Subbuteo’ got its title from the latin scientific name for the Hobby – Falco subbuteo. Although the latter actually means ‘smaller than a buzzard’, for the designer of this game it was simply his favourite bird.

Andrew Cooper