Houghton-on-the-Hill (Late summer and autumn)

 August through to November sees me visiting Houghton-on-the-Hill on several occasions because this special, elevated location is great to witness visible migration with its huge vista ranging from the N/W to the N.  Also, the natural and manmade features have undoubtedly served as focal points for migrating birds over the centuries/millennia. 

Many years ago, I identified Houghton-on-the-Hill as a superb visible migration watchpoint.  I have witnessed some spectacular movements of birds here ranging from high counts of common passage migrants such as Meadow Pipits and winter Thrushes, including four-figure counts of Fieldfare and Redwings in a single morning along with heavy movements of Blackbirds and Song Thrushes in autumn. I have also seen some excellent Finch movements including Bramblings and one record of Hawfinch.

Raptor passage has at times been exceptional with Honey Buzzard, Ospreys, Montagu's Harrier, and Hobby being seen heading south.

Late summer and autumn sees large counts of Warbler and Pipit species visiting to feed and rest on their journey south.  Blackcaps, Whitethroats, and Chiffchaff numbers easily reach double figures for each species on single days with smaller numbers of Lesser Whitethroats and Garden Warblers feeding.  I have one record of Yellow-browed Warbler in October 2017.  I have seen single Tree Pipit pass overhead here in autumn.

Movements of Wader species in autumn has proven interesting with single Whimbrel and Greenshank on passage, and in a westerly heading. 

16 September 2024

Passage migrants seen at Houghton-on-the-Hill on 16 September included a single Wheatear arriving from the north, a few Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs (10+) present.

With warming temperatures I spent a couple of hours at the migration watchpoint.  Many Buzzards were seen including two birds very high directly overhead engaged in grappling behaviour.  The only passage raptor seen on this watch was a Peregrine high overhead in an easterly heading.

16 September 2024.  Migration watchpoint at Houghton-on-the-Hill.  On this visit I was rewarded with a high overhead Peregrine in an easterly heading.  A single Wheatear was seen arriving from the north.