Blow's Downs is now a well known birdwatching site, particularly renowned for the regular appearance of Ring Ouzel on spring passage. Despite this species traditional use of the site many people visit Blow's but go away having not seen this elusive thrush. These notes aim to pass on some of the expertise that the locals have gained in locating them.
Blow's Downs is best visited from early to mid morning, before there is too much disturbance by walkers. It is best to allow about 2½ hours to cover the northern slope and paddocks well; more if you intend to continue to Cottage Bottom Fields (F and G on map).
A visit any time between the second half of March and the beginning of May can be productive for Ring Ouzel. In general the best time to visit for the widest range of species is the third week of April, but this varies from year to year.
Ground conditions are firm but may be muddy after rain.
If visiting the site in the morning it is best to park at the eastern end by the A5065 roundabout. This allows you to walk the Downs with the sun at your back and spot migrants at a distance as they feed on the open slopes; A, C and J are popular in this respect. When working Blow's Downs in this direction make your way immediately to the brow of the slope; the temptation to walk along the lower slope is counter-productive as feeding birds will disappear into cover at your approach.
If you park in Half Moon Lane scan the Paddocks Slope (J) for feeding Ouzel and Wheatear. It is then probably best if you walk clockwise around the paddocks (K)&(L) looking for migrants (Wheatear, Black Redstart and Whinchat) before crossing one of the stiles at the bottom of Kingsbury Slope (D). Once again head straight for the brow of the hill. This area of scattered thorn scrub is productive for both Ouzel and Redstart but again the emphasis is on viewing from the brow.
The other traditional area for Ouzel is the disused chalk pit (C). This area is often quiet and at these times it can be fruitful for birders to sit on the top edge checking any movement on the quarry floor. Make sure that you do not break the sky-line as this is a sure way of keeping birds in cover - the thorn bushes on the lip are very effective at disguising outlines.
The Tesco Slope (A) has been one of the most regular areas for Ring Ouzel in recent years, if approaching from the west it is best to stay, at the top corner of the field and wait for any birds to come out. As with the rest of the site the sit-and-wait technique is often most productive - especially for Ring Ouzel which can be very wary.
If time permits a walk round to Cottage Bottom Fields (F and G) should produce sightings of the commoner warblers, including all the regular Sylvia warblers, and it is at this end of the site that Turtle Dove have been seen recently. The scattered bushes on the Downside Slope (H) as you approach Cottage Bottom Fields are always worth checking as they house most of the sites Linnet population and have often attracted Black Redstart.
Yellow Wagtail and White Wagtail are usually seen each year in varying numbers, while scarcer species such as Pied Flycatcher and Firecrest turn up every couple of years in the Hawthorn scrub with the occasional Tree Pipit overhead.
Although these are the key areas of the site it should be remembered that birds have a habit of turning up anywhere, especially places where they are not supposed to, so the successful visitor will be one who is continually checking the lower bushes at any, sign of movement. Don't forgot to scan the fields along the top edge of the hill as both Dotterel and Quail have been recorded here on passage, and also look up as there is usually a good passing raptor reported each year.
Although spring is the best time to visit Blow's Downs, autumn can also be productive with the paddocks producing regular Whinchat and Wheatear and occasional Stonechat plus many of the other migrants seen in spring. The site is less intensively watched outside of the spring migration period but there is the potential for unusual birds to be found throughout the year.
Please remember to observe the Countryside Code when visiting Blow's Downs.