We will hold a trial meeting  on Sunday 20th December and on Saturday 18th January. Please see the Bird Group page for further details.

11 members enjoyed a pleasant morning led by Toni Goodley, an interlude before some more rain fell about lunch time. The tide was far out so we looked over the estuary and St Helen’s mill pond where we saw Teal, Redshank, Greenshank, Curlew, Black-headed Gull, a couple of Mediterranean Gulls and Mallard. We then looked up the eastern Yar from St Helen’s road bridge and saw Coot and in the distance a Great Crested Grebe. Cormorant were sitting in the trees where they nest. A Cetti’s warbler was calling, the first of 11 heard during the morning. It was not long before we had our first sighting of a Marsh Harrier. We then moved on to the old railway line and looking over the first gate we saw a pair of Gadwall and in the pool we had good views of a pair of Great Crested Grebe. Looking over the RSPB reserve we noted a Grey Heron, Little Egret, Mute Swan, Kestrel and a Sparrowhawk. Near some Canada Geese, a lone Brent Goose was spotted. In a copse at the beginning of the old railway line we had good views of Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Wren and also Dunnock, Robin, Great Tit and Blue Tit. One of the lagoons held 12 Tufted Ducks, six of male, and six of female and in the opposite field six Pochard. Two Water Rails were heard and three of our members at the front were fortunate to see two Kingfishers together. On the return to our cars we looked over the estuary between the house boats and checked through the flocks of gulls and were able to add to our species list with Common Gull and Great Black Backed Gull. In all we noted 34 species. Jackie Hart

Four intrepid members met at Shalfleet for a walk down Mill Road to the quay, led by Jim Baldwin. Luckily the weather forecast of 50+ mph winds and rain did not materialise but obviously deterred a lot of people. We started in cloudy conditions and a moderate breeze but enjoyed some sunny periods during the morning and only a couple of short showers. The wind began to increase towards the end of the walk. The conditions were not ideal for seeing the passerines but we still managed to record 32 species during the morning. The Rooks were busily building their nests as we set off and a Green Woodpecker was heard briefly in the vicinity of the woods. The highlight of the morning was the pre-breeding flock of 300+ Mediterranean Gulls at Shalfleet Quay. They congregate in the Newtown area before dispersing to their breeding sites along the south coast and in Europe. It is hoped some will stay and breed at Newtown as in recent years. Some of the wintering waterbirds are beginning to leave but there was still good numbers of Brent Geese, Wigeon and Teal in the creek and quay along with a female Pintail and a female Red-breasted Merganser. Four Little Grebe was seen in the creek while waders were represented by Oystercatcher, Curlew and Redshank. A single Buzzard was the only raptor recorded during the  morning. Jim Baldwin

This information was omitted from the February mail distribution:

ON WEDNESDAY 3 JUNE 2020

We have arranged a special tour of the museum, to include exhibits and specimens from the Isle of Wight. (more…)

14 members meet on a lovely but cold morning at the car park at Binfield for a walk lead by David Biggs by the west bank of the River Medina.  We started our morning looking at the species at Binfield and noted two Mute Swan, some Woodpigeon, Magpie, and Blackbird. A number of Coot were seen on the west bank of the River as were Mallard and Oystercatcher. Also seen were Brent Geese, Redshank, Black-headed Gull and one Mediterranean Gull was seen flying. Several Great Black Backed Gull were standing on various bouys on the river and at least three Little Grebe were spotted busily feeding. A Green Woodpecker was heard calling and a Curlew was standing on the exposed mud as was a Little Egret. Turnstone flew by. A Song Thrush was heard calling as was a Skylark. A mixed flock of Meadow Pipit and Rock Pipit were on the bushes, ground and fence. Also in the bushes were a Stonechat, four Reed Bunting and 7 Yellowhammer, of which two males were showing brightly in the sunlight. Towards the Folly we added to our species count with Great Tit, Goldfinch, Starling, Dunnock, Jay and Herring Gull and a Pied Wagtail. Back at the car park a Raven was heard calling. In all we noted 41 species. Jackie Hart

Eight members met in Bluett Avenue, Seaview for a circular walk in the area. We started off with a sea watch. Although the sea was calm and the tide about half way no divers or grebes were spotted. However, later we did see two Great Crested Grebes. On the breakwater near Hersey Reserve we noted a Turnstone and a Mediterranean Gull, the latter was one of a number seen during the course of the morning. A few Brent were on the sea and Cormorant further out. Other gulls seen: Black-headed, Common and Herring. A Kingfisher was very obliging and flew from one post to another and finally flying over to Hersey Reserve where we again had good views. In the Nature Reserve we saw or heard Crow, Rook and Jackdaw, Magpie, Blackbird, Robin, Blue Tit, Green Woodpecker. The solo Greenshank was in his usual spot on the mud spit and a Little Egret too. We also saw Coot, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Little Grebe, 2 male and one female Shoveler, 7 Tufted Duck and plenty of Mallard. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen in a tree as were two Buzzard. We then continued our walk and saw a Pied Wagtail and a Black Redstart on the corner house at the bottom of Oakfield Road. The feral flock of Barnacle Geese (about 133), with one Snow Goose and Swan Goose were seen on the usual field off Nettlestone Hill. The only other birds heard or seen were Wren and a flock of mixed tits which included Long-tailed Tit with David seeing a Great Tit when he made his way back to his car. In all 38 species were recorded. Jackie Hart

Eighteen members met at Thorley Road for a walk along the cycle path to the scrape in front of Mill Copse led by Jim Baldwin. It was a glorious sunny morning with a light north easterly breeze and a rising tide making perfect conditions. As a result 62 species were seen during the course of the morning. We stopped at Rofford Marsh with the highlights being 5 drake Shovelers, 3 Gadwall, a drake Pintail, 6 Snipe and 2 Kingfishers while 2 Sky Lark few overhead and a Cetti’s Warbler was heard. Moving on to the Western Yar estuary there was c.900 Golden Plover and Lapwing which made a lovely sight when they all flew round the estuary as a result of a passing Sparrowhawk before returning to their roost site in the marsh. Everyone managed to have great views in the telescopes of a confiding Kingfisher which sat on a post in the scrape. Further sightings of Kingfisher ensued with two together over the Yar and another one catching a fish with an overall total of five different birds seen during the morning. Turnstones were busily turning over the seaweed close to the cycle path while a Curlew was also observed at close range. 30 Black-tailed Godwit were at roost, 2 Greenshank was a nice bonus while other waders seen were Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Dunlin and Redshank. Wildfowl was represented by Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal and Mallard. 12 Little Grebe were fishing in the Yar. The elusive Spotted Redshank was not seen at the scrape but a number of passerines were observed including Stonechat and Yellowhammer. The walk concluded with a Marsh Harrier quartering the reed bed opposite Off the Rails café. Jim Baldwin

Eight members met at the National Trust car park for a walk let by Nicky Falconar on the nature reserve.  It was very windy and the tide exceptionally high. Despite this we saw 44 species during the course of the morning. One of our number saw a Pied Flycatcher by Causeway bridge on his way to the car park. A few Swallows flew by and about 10 Meadow Pipits were disturbed from the marsh near the salt pans by the rising tide, a few Sky Larks were in the meadow. Lapwing was seen in the distance.  Flocks of about 50 Dunlin and 60 Ringed Plover took to the air. 12 Turnstone were seen on the remnants of the causeway as were one Grey Plover, 7 Cormorants and 2 Sandwich Terns.  We also saw a Mediterranean Gull with 28 Black-headed Gulls on Gull Island. About 50 Canada Geese were dotted about. 35 Curlew and at least 40 Oystercatcher too were seen as were 7 Little Egret a Greenshank and at least 13 Redshank.  We were hoping for an Osprey but were not lucky, however a Peregrine obligingly sat on a post for us to admire through the telescope. We also had a Marsh Harrier, Buzzard and a Kestrel. The ducks were represented by Wigeon, Mallard and Pintail as well as 18 Shelduck.  Jackie Hart.

Five members, including one new to the section, enjoyed a walk from the Jubilee NT car park down Strawberry Lane, then taking the footpath to The Longstone. We then wended our way along some footpaths up to Harboro and Mottistone Down and back to our cars. Although it was overcast to begin with it brightened up but the windy conditions persisted resulting in few birds in exposed spots. However, the footpath at the foot of the downs was sheltered and we found a variety of birds which were on migration: Spotted Flycatcher, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, Tree Pipit, Yellowhammer, only the odd Swallow and House Martin. At the beginning of the walk we saw two Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel  vying for airspace and a Buzzard. During the course of the morning we also saw or heard Woodpigeon, Pheasant, Crow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, a juvenile Great Black Backed Gull, Chiffchaff, Wren, Blue Tit, Herring Gull, Green Woodpecker, Magpie, Blackbird, Robin and Jackdaw. A Weasel ran across the path in front of us – my first for the year. 24 bird species. Leader: Jackie Hart

There were 6 people on the Bird Walk 2 of which were thinking of joining the Society.  The weather was slightly cooler with a nice breeze.

We did some sea watching first and even managed to see the odd gannet.  We then did our usual round walk along the cliff and back over farmland but it was rather quiet.

Pied Wagtail, Wood Pigeon, Black headed Gull, Gannet, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Great Black-backed Gull, Shag, Cormorant, Mediterranean Gull, Jay, Magpie, Wren, Buzzard, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Pheasant, Robin, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Chiffchaff, Blackbird, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Swallow, Herring Gull, Linnet, House Sparrow, Rook, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow were the bird species seen and/or heard.

Marbled White, Common Blue, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper, Red Admiral, Large White, Small White, Brimstone, Small Copper, Ringlet, Comma, Meadow Brown, White Admiral were the butterflies seen and we also saw a female Emperor Dragonfly.

Leader: Toni Goodley