Guided Walks
Reports/summaries of the walks can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/mikelangmanart
With over 40 years’ experience as a birdwatcher Mike’s knowledge of birds around Torbay is unparalleled. He leads walks for Naturetrek, Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust & Sharpham Trust (usually during the spring and Summer).
The walks & cruises vary from general natural history walks to walks concentrating on particular bird groups, species or other wildlife; most cater for birdwatchers of any ability. Places are always limited – booking is essential.
NEW Gift Vouchers: for walks or private tours. Choose a walk or cruise or a voucher amount of your choice.
For more information or to book places go the events pages and scroll through the months at:
- Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust: https://www.countryside-trust.org.uk/events
- Sharpham Trust: https://www.sharphamtrust.org/outdoors/events-walks-talks
- Naturetrek full day guided natural history excursions with Mike Torbay, Berry Head, Dart Estuary and Mansands available through https://www.naturetrek.co.uk/tour-focus/day-trips
- Wise Birding wisebirding.co.uk and Devon Beaver tours devonbeavertours.co.uk
You can also book onto Mike’s own walks – places are strictly limited, booking is essential:
Dartmoor Cuckoos and chats, Warren House Inn
Friday 10th May Time: 9.30am – 2pm (bring a packed Lunch) (FULL)
Additional date: Thursday 9th May Time: 9.30am – 2pm (bring a packed Lunch) (FULL)
£16 adults – places limited to 11 people, booking essential
Contact Mike for more information or to book a place.
I’ve lengthened the time for the walk and added in a lunch stop too this year – so there’s no rushing, packed lunch required!
A bird rich and beautiful walk (approx. 4.3 miles one fairly steep incline) from Warren House Inn to Soussons Plantation on to Challacombe Farm and back up via Headland Warren and Birch Tor. Hopefully enjoying some of the best birds Dartmoor can offer including Cuckoo, Redstart, Stonechat, Whinchat, Stonechat, Siskin, Willow and Garden Warblers and Flycatchers.
Since early birding walks with the YOC in the 1970’s Warren House Inn and Soussons has been one of Mikes favourite Dartmoor birding walks. Gone are the Red Grouse and Ring Ouzels but there are still plenty of other birds to keep us busy. Before starting the walk a couple of years ago we even watched a female cuckoo appearing to lay an egg in a Meadow Pipits nest!
The open moorland should provide us with both Stonechat and Whinchat. On to the marshy bottom of Soussons Willow Warblers will be singing hopefully Reed Bunting too. The scrub and plantation area should be good for Garden Warbler and Tree Pipit. Then down to Challacombe Farm always a lovely place to walk through with its Redstarts, Lesser Redpoll and flycatchers. Finally we will walk back past Headland Warren farm and past Birch tour with the chance of more Cuckoos, Wheatears, whinchats and birds of prey.
The walk will be cancelled if the weather is bad (heavy rain, strong winds).
What to bring: Binoculars, clothing to suit the weather – there are ticks on the moors so long trousers are recommended, stout waterproof foot ware recommended, bring a hot drink and a picnic we will stop at Challacombe Farm for lunch.
Walking distance: we will cover approximately 4.3 miles including some steep inclines and rough tracks.
Meeting point: Warren House Inn car park – 200m (north east) down the road from the pub at 9.30am Map: Meeting point »
Contact Mike for more information or to book a place.
English Riviera Walking Festival – Coastal Ramble – Berry Head
Monday 6th May Time: 9.30am – 12noon
Monday 13th May Time: 9.30am – 12noon
£10 adults – places limited to 12 people, booking essential through the English Riviera walking festival website.
Contact Riviera walking festival for more information or to book a place. Not through Mike!
Join local bird and wildlife expert Mike Langman for a guided walk around Berry Head, a National Nature Reserve, an internationally-acclaimed heritage site and home to a fascinating variety of wildlife and history. With nearly 50 years experience of watching and visiting Berry Head, Mike knows where the rarest birds and wildlife can be found and why they’re so special. Since 1992, Mike has been illustrating birds and his works have been published in 85 books. His illustrations regularly appear in birdwatching magazines, BBC Wildlife and Countryfile Magazines.
We’ll look for Devon’s own Cirl Bunting, Dolphins, Porpoises, seabirds and some special insects too.
You’ll learn about bird identification and calls
You’ll see aspects of Nature which are often overlooked by the general visitor
Be taken to the very best wild areas of Berry Head
You might like to finish the tour with a well earned cuppa or lunch at the Guardhouse cafe, whilst embracing the magnificent views
The walk will be cancelled if the weather is bad (heavy rain, strong winds).
What to bring: Binoculars, clothing to suit the weather – there are ticks so long trousers are recommended, stout waterproof foot ware recommended.
Walking distance: we will cover approximately 2.5 miles including some steep inclines and rough tracks.
Meeting point: Berry Head picnic tables beside berry head car park – Map: Meeting point »
Man Sands Summer bird & natural history walk
Wednesday 17th July Time: 9 am – 12.30pm (5 places Left)
£14 adults (under 16’s £8) – places limited to 11 people, booking essential
Contact Mike for more information or to book a place.
Man Sands holds a surprising amount of biodiversity, most of us know it for it’s birds but there’s a fantastic array of other wildlife there too, Butterflies, Dragonflies, Beetles and reptiles. We’ll spend some time searching and hopefully watching a very special species – the Wall Lizard with its restricted or isolated populations in the UK
The beach has a healthy population of Sand Hoppers and Kelp Flies in the summer both attractive to Rock Pipits, Pied wagtails and even the Wall Lizard.
In the marsh and open fresh water we should hear Water Rail, Cetti’s Warbler and perhaps see breeding Reed Warblers, wildfowl and Little Grebe with chicks.
We’ll of course keep an eye open for the regular Stonechats, Reed Bunting and perhaps Cirl Bunting and Yellowhammer. The hedgerows and woodland on the way down to the marsh are good for Whitethroat, finches, tits and crests including Firecrest. Butterflies should be on the wing with many common species found in the area including recently emerged Gatekeepers. Toward the cliffs and beach there should be Wall Brown and perhaps Silver Washed Fritillary.
Beside the paths we’ll look for the toxic Bloody-nosed and Oil beetles. Here sometimes Common Lizard, Slow Worm and Adder might be found
Overhead we may be lucky to see Peregrine and Raven.
It’s a fairly steep walk on a agricultural road down to the beach, we might have to take our shoes off to cross the shallow stream crossing the beach if there’s been a lot of rain.
If the weather is bad the trip will be cancelled and a full refund made.
What to bring: a good pair of binoculars, there are ticks in the area (however Mike intends to wear shorts!), clothing to suit the weather. Bring drink and a snack if you wish.
Meeting point: Man Sands National Trust Car park at 0900hrs finish at about 1230hrs: Meeting point »
Contact Mike for more information or to book a place.
Wildfowl and Warblers – Clennon Lakes
Monday 18th November Time: 9.30-11.30am (FULL)
Additional Walk: Tuesday 19th November Time: 9.30-11.30am (8 places Left)
£12 adults (members of Friends of Clennon Lakes and under 18’s £8) Places limited to 11 people, booking essential
Contact Mike for more information or to book a place.
The sheltered lakes in Clennon Valley are home to birds found nowhere else in Torbay. Little Grebe, Teal, Gadwall are regular winter visitors with Snipe and Water Rail skulking in the dense lake fringes, sometimes something more unusual turns up too.
Being so near to the coast, at sea level and in the relatively mild winter climate of Devon insectivorous warblers are able to survive the winter months. Chiffchaffs that should be in Africa are regularly seen with Goldcrests and Long-tailed Tits. In previous years Firecrests have been found feeding in the willows and ivy and even rare Yellow-browed Warblers have overwintered.
Colourful Kingfishers are everyone’s favourite and the lakes often boast 2-3 birds during the early autumn. With a supporting cast of perhaps Little Egret, Grey Heron and many other wildfowl at close range Clennon is a great place to learn more about their identification and calls.
The event will be cancelled if heavy rain forecast.
What to bring: Sturdy walking shoes or boots, clothing to suit the weather (remember the weather in November can quickly change), binoculars.
Where to Meet: At 9.30am at the entrance to the Torbay Velopark (cycle track) just below Torbay Leisure Centre car park.
Contact Mike for more information or to book a place.
Devon Beaver and Wildlife excursions
Mid April until early September – exclusive small groups
Friend and colleague Chris Townend specialises in walks to see beavers and other wildlife in East Devon:
”We specialise in high quality evening walks to see beavers and full day tours to watch other wildlife in and around East Devon. Our team is based in the beautiful coastal town of Budleigh Salterton situated by the river Otter, in the heart of beaver country! Our lead guide, Chris Townend, has been studying the beaver population on his patch since 2014 and he brings valuable experience gained from running his own successful wildlife watching company, Wise Birding Holidays. We hope to see you soon!” Devon Beavers
Contact Chris for more information or to book a place.