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Description
This site can be visited as part of a longer journey along the Ridgeway long-distance path or as a shorter local visit. The views from the top of the scarp are nice, but most birding should be done along the eastern boundary or in the scrub and woods on the steeper scarp slope. Scan the scrub for various passerines and look up for circling hiirihaukka, isohaarahaukka and kiuru.
Details
Access
The simplest access is to walk along the Ridgeway, but that probably means that the visitor won't be able to explore the site, needing to find transport or accommodation. Infrequent buses call at the villages of Ivinghoe and Aldbury, both nearly 2 kilometres away. For birders, it's more sensible to drive or cycle to the car park on Stocks Road.
On site, access is best by foot, bikes would restrict movement, along tracks or across grassy slopes. Not recommended for wheelchairs.
Terrain and Habitat
Forest , Agriculture , Scattered trees and bushes , GrasslandConditions
Hilly , Dry , Open landscapeCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
Autumn , SpringBest time to visit
Summer , Autumn migration , Spring migrationRoute
Narrow trail , Wide pathDifficulty walking trail
Average walkAccessible by
Foot , BicycleBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
Best birding is in early morning, when passerines are most active and dog-walkers are not. However, as the air warms during the day, raptors such as hiirihaukka and isohaarahaukka use thermal updraughts to cruise the scarp slope. kiuru nest in the grassy slopes and the scubby boundary with the arable fields houses passerines such as harmaasirkku, mustapäätasku and keltasirkku. The extensive scrub on the scarp slope is home to hemppo, pensaskerttu and tikli.
In the right season, there are good shows of butterflies. The site is adjacent to Aldbury Nowers HMWT nature reserve, notable for its range of butterflies.
It's worth scanning the flooded Pitstone quarry (no public access) for water birds; several notable birds have been seen here. Also scan fields and woodlands below the scarp.