Cliff-top walk for migrants overlooking the Dover Strait
This section of the White Cliffs above St Margaret’s at Cliffe is the closest piece of England to France. It is also one of the best locations in the country for observing visible migration during the autumn passage period and has a notable track record for rarities such as Pallas’s and Dusky Warblers. The National Trust land around Bockhill Farm supports scattered trees and scrub habitat suitable for tired migrants, while the cliff-top Saxon Shore Way affords views across arable farmland, a golf course and the chalk cliffs.
WHERE TO WATCH
1 Visible migration from the monument around dawn can be spectacular with an overhead passage of hirundines, larks, wagtails, pipits, thrushes, sparrows, finches and buntings, including Wood Lark, Grey Wagtail, Tree Pipit, Tree Sparrow, redpoll, Siskin, Brambling and Corn Bunting, plus the chance of gems such as Serin, Crossbill, Hawfinch and Lapland Bunting.
2
Trees around the farm can support common migrants such as Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Goldcrest, Song Thrush, Redwing, Fieldfare and Chaffinch, plus a chance of Woodcock, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jay, Firecrest, Redstart, Spotted and Pied Flycatchers, Yellow-browed Warbler and Brambling.
3 Hope Point is another good spot for observing coasting diurnal migrants, as well as for
raptors on the move from mid-morning when Honey Buzzard and Osprey are possible amongst the more numerous Sparrowhawks and Buzzards. Scan along the cliffs for Raven, Peregrine, Rock Pipit and Black Redstart and cliff-top scrub for grounded passerines such as crests and warblers.
4 Check around the golf course and scrub for Ring Ouzel, Wheatear, Whinchat and Stonechat, plus flocks of Goldfinches and Linnets, plus a chance of Kestrel, Merlin and Short-eared Owl. Grey Partridge should be present on arable land along with Sky Lark, Meadow Pipit, Corn Bunting and occasional flocks of gulls, corvids, doves and pigeons, Lapwing and Golden Plover; Dotterel have been recorded in the past.