Blow’s Downs
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Set among the chalk hills of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this is a great place for birds and flowers |
The steep chalk hills rising from the edges of Luton and Dunstable have allowed this site to retain grassland rich in wildlife and full of colour with areas of scrub providing shelter for birds and insects.
The views from the top of the slope are well worth the climb, passing through flower-rich grassland as you go. The slopes are home to possibly the largest population of great pignut in the country. Field and small scabious, black and greater knapweed combine to give the hillside an infusion of late summer hues that are only equalled by the spread of orchids in some parts of the site, earlier in the year.
In spring and autumn visitors are attracted by the regular passing of migrant birds, feeding up before heading off once again on their way to their nesting, or wintering grounds. Wheatear, stonechat, whinchat and ring ouzel are among the favourites that may be seen.
Birds: Meadow pipit, skylark, stonechat |
Plants: Cowslip Birds: Ring ouzel, wheatear, whinchat, black redstart, stonechat, willow warbler |
Plants: Small scabious, common knapweed, burnet saxifrage, squinancywort, great pignut, common spotted-orchid, bee orchid, yellow-wort, quaking grass, harebell Insects: Chalkhill blue, brown Argus and marbled white butterflies |
Birds: Ring ouzel, wheatear, whinchat, black redstart, stonechat, lapwing |