96 By the Dart • A Walk in South Devon


Wild Garlic, the white stars of its flowers are held on bluebell- like stems, and it has long, oval, edible leaves. The sandbank below the weir at Totnes is a daily


gathering place for gulls, geese and wildfowl. Look out here for Canada Geese, Mallards, and the less-than- common Common Gull, with a dark eye, slim shape, and sleek grey and white plumage. Along the Access for All Path on the Dartington Hall


Estate grows Green Alkanet, with its hairy oval leaves and delicate blue flowers. Bluebells flower up on the bank to the right in spring, and you will also find Herb Robert, with its pink flowers and lacy leaves. It is a ‘cranesbill’, so called because of the long beak- like shape of its seed pods. Where you leave the Access for All Path to climb the


hill you pass through part of a wood of Ash. Aided by a sheltered situation, deep soils, and helpful woodland management, some of the tallest ash trees in the country grow on the Dartington Estate. You may hear the laughing ‘yaffle’ call of the Green


Woodpecker echoing through the woods of the Dartington Estate. This woodpecker is a striking sight with its red head, green body, and swooping, undulating flight. Otters live on the Dart. They are occasionally seen on


the river in broad daylight, but your best chance of a glimpse is at dawn or dusk. You are likely to spot their spraint, though, at any time of the day. This is a tarry substance left in small deposits on stones at the edge of the water. Otters have two layers of fur, for warmth and


waterproofing. Their eyes are set high up on their heads so that they can see when the rest of their body is underwater. Otters swim using their webbed feet and long powerful tail, and are one of the most playful of all creatures. By the edges of the river – and of the leat by the weir – there is always a chance of seeing a Moorhen. With a bright red, yellow- tipped beak against a dark body, the


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moorhen should be easily spotted. However, it tends to skulk about in the weeds close to the riverbank, so you may have to peer hard to make it out. The stylish Goosander is occasionally seen on the


river. It has a rich chestnut brown head with a crest, and a long bill which is serrated for catching fish. In winter, the male has a black head, and black and white body.•


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