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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

A call out from Teresa Tearle (BTO Regional Organiser Breeding Bird Survey / Heathland Birds Survey Isle of Wight)….The Woodlark survey has started – first visit between now and 31 March.

Click here for more info on available squares, recording instructions, maps, visit and habitat forms are now available for all three target species (Woodlark, Dartford Warbler and Nightjar) along with recordings of calls and songs.

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

For the first time in two decades, BTO are asking for birders help to survey for key Heathland species, including Woodlark, Dartford Warbler and Nightjar. To find out more and get involved click here.  Alternatively, contact Teresa Tearle – Regional Organiser Breeding Bird Survey / Heathland Birds Survey Isle of Wight (BTO) Teresa.tearle@btinternet.com

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

Ten members of IWNHAS joined Dave Fairlamb of Natural Links for an Ornithology Group outing to the Western Yar estuary on 22 December. The group had to contend with very blustery conditions, which made birdwatching quite tricky at times, but we did see a good range of birds, with 36 species seen in total.

The estuary is always a magnet for wading birds in winter and we had a flock of about 100 Golden Plovers in flight along with several Lapwings joining in at times. Other waders included Black-tailed Godwits, Redshanks, Oystercatchers, Dunlins and a couple of Greenshanks.

Golden Plover, Lapwings & Starling                                          Greenshank

The marsh and mudflats held large numbers of Wigeon, Teal and Mallards, with at least 8 Shovelers and 4 Shelducks. Brent Geese grazed the saltmarsh, Little Egrets were actively feeding in the saltmarsh creeks and Cormorants were out on the open water, with a few drying out their wings on the marina pontoons. A Great Crested Grebe was on the water, constantly diving, as it swam along towards the causeway.

Shelduck                                                                              Great Crested Grebe

A Kestrel somehow managed to hover in the strong wind, a Buzzard was seen over the Mill Copse and a Sparrowhawk flashed by into the Copse, re-emerging high over the scrape and soaring away into the west. Other birds recorded included Black-headed, Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls, Great and Blue Tits, Starlings, Reed Bunting, Dunnock and Greenfinch.

Dave Fairlamb

22 December 2024

Bird Meeting from Binfield to the Folly and return.

Just five people met at the car park at Island Harbour on the east side of the River Medina on an extremely windy but mild morning. The light was not good either, but we did see some birds during the course of the morning. It was lovely to see a good number of Brent Geese on the foreshore and we noted and heard quite a few Oystercatchers. A small flock of Canada Geese were grazing in a meadow. The evocative call of the Curlew was heard, and we saw them both feeding on the mud and flying. Two Black Tailed Godwits were on the edge of the water and then took to the wing displaying their characteristic black tail markings. We spotted one lone Redshank. Mallard were swimming and five Moorhens swam under the pontoons at the Marina. The wreck on the other side of the river had half a dozen Cormorants standing drying their wings. Most of the small birds were absent as they were sheltering from the strong wind but we did note Goldfinch, Skylark, Robin, Dunnock and Pied wagtail.

There were a few gulls; Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Gull and Great Black Backed Gull. As we expect to see at any of our meetings Woodpigeon did put in an appearance and, of course, Crows, Rooks and Jackdaw. 22 species of birds were recorded during the course of the morning.

Jackie Hart.

Ten members of IWNHAS joined Dave Fairlamb of Natural Links for an Ornithology Group outing to Brading Marshes east and Bembridge Harbour on 26 October.

Birdwatching began by the sluice on Embankment Road, looking down the Eastern Yar and there was immediate delight with 2 Kingfishers active back and forth over the river. Several adult and immature Cormorants were still roosting in the riverine trees and Cetti’s Warblers could be heard singing, already establishing territories for the next year’s breeding season.

Kingfisher                                                                            Cetti’s Warbler

Looking out across Brading Marshes from the old railway path, both Little Egret and Grey Heron were seen, and a group of 10 Greylag Geese fed apart from the Canada Geese. Further on, we spent some time viewing from the double gates and were richly rewarded with a Bittern flying low over the reeds, at least 3 Marsh Harriers hunting, 2 Great White Egrets on the wing, another Kingfisher and fly pasts of 4 Shovelers and a Wigeon. Southerly migration was still in evidence with at least 35 Swallows over the marsh.

Bittern                                                                  Marsh Harrier

A couple of Ravens were perched in the large dead tree on the marsh and 2 Stonechats were active around the nearby hawthorns, with Blue Tits, Great Tits, Dunnocks and a Jay seen at closer quarters by the path. Teal, Little Grebe and Tufted Ducks were on Bembridge pools, with Water Rail heard in the reedbed.

Oystercatchers and Redshanks were feeding on the tidal edge in the harbour and a Great Crested Grebe, Mute Swans and Gadwalls were on the water. We walked around to the Mill pond area and got close views of Black-tailed Godwits feeding, 12 in total, plus Curlews, Mediterranean Gulls, yet another Kingfisher, and Ringed Plover calling. 45 species of birds were recorded overall during our walk.

The photos will be in the next Bulletin

Dave Fairlamb

26 October 2024

Eleven members of IWNHAS joined Dave Fairlamb of Natural Links for an Ornithology Group outing to Mottistone Down on 15 September.

Swallows and House Martins flew over the Jubilee car park as we assembled for the walk and small numbers of mainly Swallows continued to pass overhead flying south during the morning. A female Yellowhammer flew up from the ground and perched nicely on a gorse bush and a couple of Stonechats were busy feeding in the same area. Our attention switched into the long grass by the path as 2 Wasp Spiders posed in the centre of their webs.

Swallow                                              Wasp Spider

It was a wonderful morning to watch Kestrels, they seemed to be ever present in the air around us, with up to 5 together, probably a family group, wheeling in the breeze and calling to each other, then hovering on the hunt. A couple of Buzzards were close by at one point but rose higher and away on the thermals. As we climbed up the Down, both Jay and Green Woodpecker were heard calling and a couple of Ravens flew eastwards.

Kestrel                                                                 Raven

Several Chiffchaffs were also calling in the scrub and we even heard one singing in the woodland edge. Towards the summit there was the briefest of views of a Dartford Warbler and a few metres on we were treated to excellent views of an adult sitting on the top of the gorse, while another flew by and a third bird was heard calling. There was also a Meadow Pipit and a couple of Goldfinches overhead. A few butterflies were still on the wing, Small & Large Whites, Red Admirals, Small Heaths and Meadow Browns. Other insect sightings included Field Grasshoppers, Common Banded Hoverflies and a Common Darter dragonfly. We returned to the car park to hear Robins in song and for some, the finale of a Bullfinch.

Chiffchaff                                                           Dartford Warbler

Dave Fairlamb

15 September 2024

Seven members meet on a lovely sunny morning at High Down Chalk Pit car park for a walk in the area. We saw three species of raptors during the morning with an adult and plaintive juvenile flying around overhead in the car park. Whilst we were waiting for the meeting to begin a Peregrine flew over and was gone. On our walk up the track a Kestrel rewarded us with superb views 0f it both perched and flying. A Great Spotted Woodpecker calling could be heard and much later a Green Woodpecker. Whilst we were looking for Dartford Warblers, unsuccessfully, we saw at least one pair of Stonechat, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and Linnet. Although we were keeping a lookout for Swallows only two were noted. A flock of some 35 to 40 Rooks were seen on the down. Other birds noted were Robin two adults and one juvenile, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Wren, Goldfinch, Crow and Magpie.

Other than these we saw a bee-fly, Red Admiral, Specked Wood, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper and a very large number of Chalkhill Blues. Jackie Hart