WHERE TO WATCH

1 About 150m north along the lane from Fingle Bridge, a footpath is signed climbing up through Drewston Wood, part of the Dartmoor Way. This steep climb requires frequent stops to catch breath and scan through the canopy. Look out for Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jay, Chaffinch, Treecreeper and Nuthatch. Listen for singing Song Thrush.

2 The path climbs to meet a crossing path after half a mile. Go left (westwards), along the Hunters Path which wends its way high above the Teign Gorge. There are occasional viewpoints – be careful near the edges. Raven and Buzzard are likely above the wooded valley and Stonechat make use of plentiful perches. Sky Larks sing above high grassland. Swallow and Swift are likely in summer, when Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff are also possible. Wren shout their alarms inside thickets. Watch out for Kestrel. The Dartmoor Way joins the Two Moors Way and they run together for a while.

3 Stay with these two longdistance paths until you have descended and twisted down through the woods to reach a bridge over the River Teign. The journey eastwards, back to Fingle Bridge, can follow either side of the river as woodland paths run along both banks – the northern bank (i.e., without crossing the river) has the most roughunderfoot sections and is known as the Fisherman’s Path. Along the river there’s a very good chance of Dipper and Grey Heron, plus Grey and Pied Wagtail. The light woodland areas may reveal Pied Flycatcher in summer. The return trip also passes the historic hydroelectric plant that has been restored and still supplies electricity to the castle high above.