In Search of Migrants – A Summer Outing to West High Down

Summer tends to be a quieter season for birdwatching, but undeterred, nine hopeful members gathered at the chalk pit car park for a leisurely walk up to West High Down. Early sightings included Robin, Wren, Song Thrush, and Blackbird – their fledglings not far behind, judging by the constant chatter from the hedgerow. As we approached the sweeping expanse of gorse just below the Tennyson Monument, we were rewarded with views of a family of Linnet and Stonechat flitting amongst the bushes. Despite scanning the gorse intently, Dartford Warbler proved elusive this time, remaining hidden from view. The highlight came in the form of two Wheatear, spotted on the top of a gorse bush and several Whitethroat in a nearby tree. Overhead the unmistakeable cronks alerted us to Raven soaring overhead. As we made our way back, a Kestrel offered close views. In total, 20 bird species were recorded, a respectable tally for a summer’s day.

Teresa Tearle

Sunday 15^th June at Mottistone

“Like the Red Arrows – only better”

That’s how one of the twelve members described this season’s Nightjar walk – and I couldn’t agree more! We were treated to a perfect evening: dry, clear skies and just a gentle breeze, ideal conditions for spotting these incredible birds. We walked to the end of the track and waited for the sun to dip below the horizon. Right on cue, the unmistakable churring of Nightjars began to fill the air. Then came the real show. A male Nightjar made several sweeping passes across the valley, giving us some spectacular views. As we made our way back we were greeted with more churring, the distinctive “coo-licking” flight calls, and several more flypasts with birds frequently circling us. At times, the birds seemed just as curious about us as we were about them! The grand finale? Three Nightjars zooming past in tight formation – a stunning display that left everyone grinning. A truly magnificent night.

Teresa Tearle

Eleven members of IWNHAS joined Dave Fairlamb of Natural Links for an Ornithology Group outing to Alverstone Mead on 8 June, with 30 species of birds seen or heard in total.

There was bird song right from the beginning of our walk, with Blackcaps and Cetti’s Warblers in fine voice and we also had a Bullfinch calling. A dragonfly caught our attention and thankfully it settled on a bramble leaf, giving everyone good views of a female Scarce Chaser, along with a Dock Bug and several Dock Beetles. Further along the cycle track a Buzzard flew low overhead and more Blackcaps and Cetti’s Warblers sang, joined by Chiffchaffs, Dunnocks, Blackbirds, Robins and Wrens.

Cetti’s Warbler                                                                  Dunnock

As we left the cycle track towards the woods, several Swifts flew low over our heads, a Cormorant flew eastwards and a Common Whitethroat sang. Both Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were seen and the usual ensemble of Great Tits, Blue Tits and Robins gathered around us by the `feeding bench’ in the woods, with other sightings of Long-tailed Tits and Chaffinches.

Swift                                                                                                                      Long-tailed Tit

Our return to the car parking area gave us more opportunities to see insects on the wing including Banded Demoiselles, Broad-bodied Chasers, Speckled Woods, Meadow Browns and a Small Tortoiseshell.

Dave Fairlamb

8 June 2025

Six members of IWNHAS joined Dave Fairlamb of Natural Links for an Ornithology Group outing to Laundry Lane on 24 May, with 34 species of birds seen or heard in total.

A great start to our walk with the regular male and female Brading Marsh White-tailed Eagles seen and at least 2 Marsh Harriers quartering the reedbeds. The breezy conditions meant that Swifts were feeding low over the fields, often flying close and just above our heads. Breeding wading birds were in evidence, with Oystercatchers and Lapwings on the wet grasslands.

Marsh Harrier                                                                    Lapwing

Though the fields were quite dry, there were still some areas of standing freshwater, including in New Bridge pools with many Mallards already going into `eclipse’ plumage. At least 7 Grey Herons were gathered around the pools along with Little Egrets and a single Great White Egret. 2 Egyptian Geese were seen followed by another 4 flying and other wildfowl included Mute Swans, Canada Geese, a pair of Gadwall and a single Shelduck.

Grey Heron                                                                                         Gadwall

The breezy conditions reduced the amount of birdsong, but we did hear Reed and Cetti’s Warblers, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch and Skylark. Other birds seen/heard included Cormorants, Coots, Moorhens, Swallows, Goldfinches and Reed Bunting.

Dave Fairlamb

24 May 2025

Teressa Tearle has kindly agreed to lead the walk – see programme for details

A Sunny Stroll on Culver Down – 22 Species Spotted!

Twelve of us braved the maze of Island roadworks and made it to the east end of Culver Down for what turned out to be a truly beautiful morning — blue skies, sunshine, and a gentle breeze set the perfect scene. We were greeted at the car park by a wonderful chorus of Whitethroat singing from every corner of the surrounding scrub, followed by a Swallow flypast. Our circular walk took us along Culver Cliff, where we had stunning views of Fulmar gliding effortlessly in the breeze. Throughout the walk, we were in good company — Whitethroat, Skylark, Linnet and Stonechat were abundant. A highlight was a Wheatear spotted amongst the ground ivy in front of the coastguard cottages. In total, we saw 22 bird species, including Chiffchaff, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Wren, Dunnock, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Raven, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Kestrel, and a White-tailed Eagle in the distance over Brading Marsh. A fantastic morning’s birding all round!

Teresa Tearle & Jackie Hart

This meeting will be lead by Teresa Tearle.

Seven members of IWNHAS joined Dave Fairlamb of Natural Links for an Ornithology Group outing to the Yar Estuary on 16 March, with 41 species of birds seen or heard in total.

Good numbers of wildfowl for mid-March, both on Rofford Marsh and the estuary, with at least 180 Teal and 240 Wigeon, along with 5 Shoveler, 11 Shelduck, Mute Swans and a few flocks of Brent Geese. We had close views of 2 Greenshanks and with Redshanks alongside it gave a good opportunity to compare the two species. Several Curlews were feeding in the saltmarsh, with at least 6 seen and a flock of 35 Black-tailed Godwits were actively feeding on the intertidal mudflats, some beginning to sport their summer plumage. Other waders included Oystercatchers and a single Grey Plover.

Shelduck                                                              Greenshank

Cetti’s Warblers were in song, proclaiming territories around the marsh and the hedgerows and woodland edge held at least 8 Chiffchaffs, along with Blackbirds, Greenfinches, Wrens, Robins, Goldfinches, Chaffinches, Dunnocks and Blue, Great & Long-tailed Tits. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard drumming and a Water Rail `sharming’ as we returned past Rofford.

Other birds seen included Moorhens, Coots, Grey Heron, Cormorants and Little Grebe.

Dunnock                                                                              Water Rail

Dave Fairlamb

16 March 2025

Seventeen members of IWNHAS joined Dave Fairlamb of Natural Links for an Ornithology Group outing to Seaview and the Hersey Reserve on 2 February in very favourable sunny and still conditions, with 37 species of birds seen or heard in total.

Several small flocks of dark-bellied Brent Geese flew along the shore and amongst the gulls feeding on the strandline were a few Mediterranean Gulls, some starting to undergo their partial moult into breeding plumage and a Common Gull. A couple of distant Sandwich Terns were plunge-diving for fish and another distant bird on the water towards Puckpool Point was an immature male Eider. At least 3 Cormorants and 5 Great Crested Grebes were offshore along with 2 Slavonian Grebes and a Black-throated Diver, causing great excitement as the latter 2 species were new to several of the group.

Dark-bellied Brent Geese                                               Sandwich Tern

The woodland at Hersey Reserve held quite a few Long-tailed Tits, entertaining us with their acrobatic feeding techniques, along with Blue Tits, Great Tits and Goldfinches. Other woodland species included Blackbirds, Jay and a distant Song Thrush in fine voice. At least 5 Little Grebes were on the water, along with Mute Swans, Coots, Tufted Ducks, Moorhens and Teal, with the feral Barnacle Goose flock seen feeding on the grass at the holiday park.

As we began to exit Hersey, 4 Oystercatchers flew over our heads, and both Water Rail and Cetti’s Warbler were heard. Back on the promenade at Seaview we were treated to close views of a flock of 46 Sanderlings feeding along the tideline with 10 Turnstones roosting making the rocks and posts.

Sanderlings                                                                        Turnstone

Dave Fairlamb

2 February 2025

Twenty-one members met at Newtown Visitor Point car park. A very good turnout given the chilly conditions. Jackie Hart led the first part of the walk overlooking Causeway Lake where the group were delighted to see a Kingfisher, two Spoonbill along with Pintail, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Canada Goose, Black Tailed Godwit and a huge flock of 140+ Lapwing swirling overhead. Teresa Tearle joined the group at the bird hide after completing a Wetland Bird Survey. In addition to a Kestrel, Little Egret and two Mute Swans, lots of Shelduck, Curlew and smaller waders (Turnstone, Dunlin, Grey Plover, Oystercatcher) were visible out on the mud and marsh using the scopes in the hide. A special thanks to young Andrew and his mum, Becky who spotted a Peregrine sitting on a post near the entrance to the harbour. Onward across the board walk and final stop at the boat house. Here we spotted a Little Grebe, two Red-breasted Mergansers, two Cormorant as well as plentiful Brent Goose. Teresa Tearle and Jackie Hart