Category

Not long now until the next IW Recorders’ Conference open to all with an interest in species recording…

Saturday 8th November, 13:30 – 16:30hrs, Haseley Manor Barn
Heasley Lane, Arreton, Newport PO30 3AN

Once again, we have a packed programme of speakers, plus displays, refreshments, opportunity to network and the ever-popular second-hand book sale.

Please bring cash for donations towards the many, quality books and publications we have received from Jim Baldwin’s extensive natural history book collection.

For more details please click here to read the latest edition of ‘Recording Now’.

October usually heralds the arrival of winter thrushes. Our walk began in fine style as a flock of Fieldfare descended on to bushes by the gate leading onto Mottistone Down. Following the lower cattle path, we had good views of Stonechat and Meadow Pipit. A group of Raven were visible over Grammar’s Common along with a lone Magpie, while good numbers of Swallow, Buzzard, Kestrel and Herring Gull were seen throughout the walk. A distant Jay screeched in the woodland contrasting with a Song Thrush on Mottistone Common. As expected at this time of year, Pheasant, Woodpigeon and flocks of Goldfinch and Linnet were abundant. We spotted several common passerines in the scrub – Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin, Blackbird, Dunnock, Chiffchaff and Wren. At the foot of Mottistone Down a particularly rich berried hedgerow caught our attention. As we sat, binoculars primed, we were rewarded with a male Ring Ouzel peeking out of hawthorn along with Bullfinch, Green Woodpecker and a female Blackcap. As we made our way back up the slope a final highlight awaited from the car park – a Red Kite, gliding low across the valley. By the end of the walk, our group of seven had recorded 27 bird species. Teresa Tearle

Eleven members of IWNHAS joined Dave Fairlamb of Natural Links for an Ornithology Group outing to Culver & Bembridge Downs on 20 September, with 22 species of birds seen or heard in total.

Good numbers of Swallows and House Martins seen throughout the walk and a few Sand Martins. Family groups of Stonechats were actively feeding in the scrub on the slopes, often coming very close to our group. The slopes and cliff edge provided hunting conditions for Kestrels, with at least 6 seen, along with 3 Ravens.

Siskin                                                                                     Raven

There was a nice surprise of a flock of 25 Siskins overhead and on the return from Culver to Bembridge we had a mixed flock of Blackcaps, Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Long-tailed Tits. Other birds seen included a single Skylark, Great Black-backed Gulls, Wrens, Blue Tits, Green Woodpecker and a couple of Meadow Pipits

Dave Fairlamb

20 September 2025

Seven members of IWNHAS joined Dave Fairlamb of Natural Links for an Ornithology Group outing to the Ventnor Downs on 15 August, with only 12 species of birds seen or heard in total due to cool breezy conditions.

Apart from a Kestrel and a couple of Skylarks on the main ridge, most other birds were seen or heard along the more sheltered southern slope of St. Boniface Down. There were at least 4 Willow Warblers and 5 Chiffchaffs and with both species actively calling it gave a good opportunity to hear the subtle difference in their calls.

A few Swallows were feeding above the slope and a couple of Swifts.  Other bird species included Buzzard and Wren. A single Gatekeeper butterfly was seen.

Swift

Dave Fairlamb

16 August 2025

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

We are deeply saddened to share the sad news that our friend and colleague Jim Baldwin passed away peacefully with friends by his side at The Hospice on Friday, 16th May.

Jim was cherished by many and will be greatly missed.

His passion for wildlife recording and nature conservation inspired countless others to take an interest in enjoying and protecting our local nature.

We shall share details of the funeral arrangements as soon as we have more information.

Jim doing what he loved best – public engagement at Hullabaloo.

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