Category

19th January at Seaview . Five members meet on a cold overcast morning in Bluett Avenue for a short sea watch, visit to Hersey Reserve and then a circular walk up Oakhill, along footpaths back to our cars. The tide was high but the only sea ducks observed were two Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant were about as were Black-headed Gull, Common Gull and Herring Gull. On the shingle there were 10 Sanderling and five Ringed Plover later joined by a further five. At Hersey Reserve we saw four Little Grebe, two Cormorant fishing, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, seven Shoveler (three pairs plus one male had an additional female in tow), a Greenshank, two Grey Heron, and besides the same gulls seen on the Solent and beach we also saw three Mediterranean Gull. As we were leaving the reserve we spotted a Kingfisher just flying away from the sluice. Further along the beach we saw 21 Oystercatcher. On a field beside Nettlestone Hill we counted at least 180 Barnacle Geese and with them one Snow Goose and a Swan-necked Goose. Towards the end of our walk we could hear two Great Spotted Woodpeckers drumming and we located them in a field beside the footpath and also could hear a fainter drumming which presumably was another bird. During the walk 43 species of bird were recorded and one Red Squirrel which was at the Westbrook  Urban Saints Centre. Jackie Hart

The annual IW Recorders’ Conference is set to make a return next month Saturday 2nd February, 2pm – 4:30pm at Arreton Community Centre. As usual, there will be a packed programme of presentations showcasing current species related projects and surveys, displays and of course delicious cakes and tea during the interval. (more…)

Seven members met at the beginning of the cycle path in Thorley Road for a walk led by Toni Goodley to Barnfields. We were very fortunate as the threatened rain held off until towards the end of the walk. Our first stop was the flooded area on Rofford Marsh where we saw both Black-headed Gull and Herring Gull, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Moorhen and a Little Grebe. There were also 28 (more…)

Nine members met at the National Trust visitor centre car park for a walk on the reserve led by Nicky Falconar. It was a beautiful morning with bright sunshine although the sun was low in the sky making bird watching at Causeway Lake rather difficult to begin with. Two Mistle Thrush made an appearance in (more…)

The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust are looking to update the current Waders & Brent Goose Strategy. They are looking for volunteer surveyors to identify the network of sites that are of high importance. The plan is to cover the north coast of the Island and the Medina. If anyone is interested please contact Jamie Marsh jamie.marsh@hiwwt.org.uk or Ruth Kernohan at ruth.kernohan@hiwwt.org.uk.

Issue 4 of ‘Recording Now’ featuring species recording news, events and updates from the Isle of Wight by iWatchWildlife and the IW Local Records Centre is now available to read / download here.

Under a very hot sun eight members met for a walk around the Pan Mill Meadows site where 19 species of birds were recorded.

As we headed north from the meeting place at Shide, a Woodpigeon was seen taking nesting material to a nearby roof and we were lucky enough to see four Jays and a pair of Collared Doves. In the River Medina parallel with Medina Avenue were several Mallards and one duckling as well as a Moorhen with three young in tow. (more…)

Ten members turned out for the evening Nightjar walk meeting in the main car park. It was a misty evening and I was not very hopeful of good outcome. We did a circular walk and heard Blackcap, Blackbird and Song Thrushes singing in the evening air and also saw a Jay. We saw approximately five (more…)

405 species were observed and named – with possibly another name to come.  It was a great team effort; many thanks to all who submitted records, stayed up late and/or got up early, and persisted with identifying or confirming unusual species!

A full report and photographs of the day:  https://iwnhas.org/bioblitz-2018-the-results-are-in/

The final species list: Bioblitz Species List 2018

Eight members and four guests met at the National Trust chalk pit car park at Totland for a walk up to the downs. It was a cold and blustery morning but we did see or hear some summer migrants including Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Whitethroat in the woodland either side of the track. Jay and Buzzard were overhead in the car park and a Pheasant was heard periodically calling from the nearby (more…)