PULPIT HILL
A walk in ‘kite country’ on the edge of the Chilterns
This downland birding walk on the northern scarp slope of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty commands spectacular views across the Vale of Aylesbury to the north. The Ridgeway and Icknield Way national trails pass through the site, while the route also skirts the Chequers estate (the PM’s country home). Classic downland habitat of scrub and sheep-grazed clearings with steep coombes of Beech woods, parkland and arable farmland combine to ensure a rich and varied walk.
1
Check the open downland scrub for early spring migrants such as Meadow Pipit, Black Redstart, Wheatear, Ring Ouzel, Redstart, Whitethroat, Firecrest and Cuckoo, followed by the likes of Willow Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat and Whinchat later in the season; plus incoming Swallows, martins and the chance of an overhead Swift, Yellow Wagtail or Tree Pipit. From Pulpit Hill scan for any early morning visible migration of outgoing finches and thrushes including Brambling, Redwing, and Fieldfare. Resident Longtailed Tit, Bullfinch, Linnet,
Yellowhammer and Stonechat. Look for raptors along the scarp slope: Buzzard, Red Kite, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Hobby.
The woodland edge should yield common tits, finches and thrushes along with Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Tawny Owl, Jay, and Treecreeper. Common breeding birds include an outside chance of Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Cuckoo and Turtle Dove. Conifer patches should yield Coal Tit and Goldcrest, and maybe Lesser Redpoll, Siskin and Firecrest. Check the coombe below for Grey and Red-legged Partridges, Kestrel, Lapwing, Stock Dove and Raven amongs the corvids. A good spot for Barn Owl at dusk.
3
Check parkland for Little Owl, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Nuthatch in the mature Oaks. Stock Dove, Green Woodpecker, Mistle Thrush, Jackdaws, Rooks and Common Gulls feed on the grasslands along with finches and buntings and maybe a few laggard Redwings and Fieldfares. Another good spot for a hunting Kestrel, Red Kite or Buzzard.
4
Arable farmland can pull in late winter flocks of flocks of Lapwing and Golden Plover on the move. In spring, look for Whitethroat, Stonechat, Yellowhammer and Linnet along the hedgerows and Sky Lark etc.
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