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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

New to birdwatching and want to learn more about bird identification, bird behaviour and the fieldcraft of birdwatching?

The why not join local birder and naturalist David Fairlamb for the next session in his popular ‘Birdwatching Year in Yarmouth’ series of events on Thursday 19th December 9:30am – 11:30am. (more…)

The next event forming part of our Centenary celebrations launches this Saturday 30th November at Quay Arts , 6pm – 8pm (FREE, all welcome).
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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

The Great Solent Birdwatch takes places 30th November – 8th December.

This is a new citizen science project which aims to raise awareness about the amazing range of overwintering birds that visit the Solent each year and hopes to inspire everyone to become more involved with birdwatching. (more…)

The Centenary year of the IWNHAS kicked-off in style with a special event held at Caffe Isola on Friday 8th November – 100 years to the very day of the first meeting of our Society!

Read more here

Join us to celebrate the founding of our Society 100 years ago to the very day at a special evening event taking place at Caffé Isola, Newport on Friday 8th November 2019, 7pm – 9pm.

Click here for further details on how to register for this free event and pre-order your food.

Caffé Isola are opening especially for us, so please do come along and help us celebrate!

Join us to celebrate the founding of our Society 100 years ago to the very day at a special evening event taking place at Caffé Isola, Newport on Friday 8th November 2019, 7pm – 9pm.

Click here for further details on how to register for this free event and pre-order your food.

Caffé Isola are opening especially for us, so please do come along and help us celebrate!

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.

The IW Embroiders exhibition ‘Wild on Wight’ showcases a series of specially created, intricate artworks to highlight and celebrate ‘100 years of the IW Natural History & Archaeological Society. (more…)