18th July '09 Bakers Warren

Cool, cloudy, windy.

Bakers Warren.

Looking north towards Langdale End from Highwood Brow viewpoint.

Bakers Warren forms part of the northern reaches of Wykeham Forest. The forest is mainly pine and other conifers. From Highwood Brow viewpoint and carpark an excellent path, Moor Road, descends steeply to our first objective, Mount Misery. Sounds a nice place doesn't it? Well the peacock we saw there must have liked it. So did we, it was our first sighting. From there we took the track skirting Trout Beck heading westwards. The Warren is criss crossed by many forestry tracks, so, a route can be made up on the hoof to suit your needs.

Looking towards Broxa Forest.

We were heading for the other raptor viewing point further west and with the site only a hundred yards above us the path before us was impassable. Huge tracks had been worn into it several feet deep and in places these had become waterlogged. The only thing we could imagine to have caused this became apparent as we made a diversion back to Moor Road. A burnt-out wreck of a car! We had seen signs of this earlier where we noticed the odd pine tree that had been very badly scorched. You see the occassional biker come careering out of the undergrowth now and again, but you don't expect a Ford Fiesta! Especially your own! We found our way back to the carpark and thankfully our car was still there. Pine forest can be very stingey on the bird scene and this one wasn't any different. Chiff Chaffs were the most abundant, detected largely by their calls. A Buzzard was seen from the other raptor viewpoint but the dozen or so other birders, all with powerful bins couldn't identify it as a Honey. It wa sat on a branch on the other side of the valley and didn't show any signs of moving before we did.

Beautiful views across Troutsdale.

Chaff Chaff, Jay, Chaffinch, Peacock, Unknown Buzzard.