SUNDON HILLS
A downland walk for migrants on the Chiltern Hills
Overhead passage migrants are best observed here around dawn and comprise mainly the commoner larks, pipits, finches and thrushes, but there is always a chance of a Wood Lark, Hawfinch or Lapland Bunting. Birds of prey typically noted during October can include Osprey and Honey Buzzard, while scrub cover offers up the chance of a passing Ring Ouzel. WHERE TO WATCH
1
The scrub around the car park can be good for Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat, along with Goldcrest and vocal mixed passerine flocks of Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tits, Chaffinch and Goldfinch. Scan the fields for Red-legged and Grey Partridges around the margins and once ploughing operations take place flocks of Lapwing, Common and Black-headed Gulls, Stock Dove,
Woodpigeon, Mistle Thrush and corvids; the likes of Sky Lark, Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail also often occur along with the chance of a passing Wheatear or Yellow Wagtail. Buzzard and Red Kite also exploit the broken ground for invertebrates.
2
A copse can attract Great Spotted Woodpecker, Treecreeper, Goldcrest, Longtailed Tit and Chaffinch, plus migrant Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Willow Warbler. Weedy strips adjacent to the wood support Stonechat, Yellowhammer, Linnet, Goldfinch and Reed Bunting along with a chance of Corn Bunting and maybe a passing Turtle Dove. Check old hedgerow trees for Kestrel and Little Owl.
3
From the viewpoint scan for birds on the move. In summer, Lapwing, Swift, Swallow, House and Sand Martins are likely, followed later on by Sky Lark,
Meadow Pipit, Yellow and Pied Wagtails, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Chaffinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting and possibly a few Siskin, Brambling or Redpoll. Grey Wagtail, Redwing and Fieldfare too. Likely raptors include Buzzard, Red Kite, Hobby and Sparrowhawk, plus Raven.
4
The beech hangar is a good spot for Tawny Owl, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Stock Dove, Mistle Thrush and Jay, plus Blackcap and Chiffchaff; Woodcock often feed nearby. By late autumn roosting birds can include Rooks, Jackdaws, Woodpigeons and Starlings. Scattered downland scrub below the hanger is a favoured area for scarce passage migrants such as Ring Ouzel, Redstart and Black Redstarts, Firecrest and Whinchat, although Wheatear, Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroats, Willow Warbler and Goldcrest are more likely.