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Ten members meet on a lovely, warm morning for a walk in the park. July is a quiet month for seeing birds and this is what we found during the morning. In the car park we could hear Long Tailed Tits and Blue Tits flitting in amongst the trees, Herring Gulls were flying overhead and Woodpigeons were just around. The notice boards dotted around the site mention Jays and sure enough one put in an appearance. Of the birds of prey we had Buzzard, Peregrine and Kestrel. We could hear Chiffchaff calling and saw a small family. Lurking in a tree was a Spotted Flycatcher. Other birds we noted were Wren, Green Woodpecker, Magpie, Great Tit, Robin, Blackbird, Greenfinch Dunnock and two Bullfinch flew across our path. Also noted were several Black Headed Gulls flying around catching flying ants. As it was a lovely sunny morning we took the opportunity to look at the butterflies: several Red Admiral, one Marbled White, Speckled Wood, Small White, Peacock, Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper. Not being a botanist we did remark on the amount of Red Bartsia and Stone Parsley lining the paths and trackways. In all 20 species of birds were noted during the morning.  Jackie Hart

Eight members of IWNHAS joined Dave Fairlamb of Natural Links for an Ornithology Group outing to Alverstone Mead on 9 June.

From the onset we were treated to fine birdsong, with Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Song Thrushes heard from the car parking area. As we began to walk west along the cycle track, other songsters joined the chorus with Common Whitethroats, Wrens, Blackbirds and Dunnocks in the scrub and both Cetti’s Warblers and Reed Warblers in the reedbeds.

Song Thrush                                       Reed Warbler

Overhead, Buzzards soared on the rising thermals and Herring Gulls drifted by. A brood of Mallards swam past close to the track, joined by a juvenile Moorhen bringing up the rear. Several male Banded Demoiselles were on the wing and thankfully a few rested on nearby reed leaves, giving us the chance for fine views of their iridescent colours. Further along the track we encountered Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Greenfinch.

Greenfinch                                          Banded Demoiselle

We returned back east via the woodland path and had 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers on entering the wood. The resident Blue Tits, Great Tits and Robins were all around the `feeding bench’ and we saw a red squirrel in trees nearby and a young rabbit, obliviously feeding on the path right beside us all. A Jay was in full view as we crossed the field back to the cycle track and Common Blue Damselflies and Speckled Woods were on the wing as we approached the end of the walk.

Great Spotted Woodpecker                Speckled Wood

Dave Fairlamb

Teresa kindly agreed to lead this walk for Jim Baldwin and here is her report:

We went ahead with the Nightjar walk in spite of the wet and windy weather and competing with Germany v Scotland in the Euros. An intrepid band of me, my husband Steve, Sheena & Will Bridger and Mark Larter donned our waterproofs and warm clothes and trekked up the path. We were delighted to see a cluster of Bee Orchids on the ascent. As we reached the start of “nightjar alley” the heavens opened and we took cover under the trees. It was just a short burst so we carried on up to the bench marking the end of the walk hearing only a brief churring and the ‘coo-lik’ flight call but no sighting. As we turned for our return leg we finally saw a single male Nightjar flying silently over the trees. Not really a night for insects or insect-hunting birds. We were however treated to a bat show as up to 4 bats (most likely Pipistrelle) gave an acrobatic display over our heads.  Teresa Tearle

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Just a reminder that the IW BioBlitz is taking place this year at the Dunsbury Estate – hosted and lead by the National Trust on Saturday 22nd June.

Please do join us between 10:00hrs – 16:00hrs and help record as many species as possible. There will be opportunity to explore the entire estate which includes woodland, grassland, freshwater areas plus Compton cliffs and beach.

More details coming soon…

Nine members met on a lovely, sunny and warm morning. Unfortunately, the meeting had to be curtailed but before then we had a good selection of birds. At the first gate overlooking the marsh we had excellent close views of two Egyptian Geese and, of course, the ever-present Canada Geese some with goslings. Two White Tailed Eagles were perched in the dead tree with the nesting platform. Whilst we were watching one flew over the extensive reeds hotly pursued by Marsh Harriers and corvids. I had hoped to get nearer to the nest platform tree, but we never got that far. Buzzard also was around. We could hear several warblers: Reed, Cetti’s, Blackcap, Whitethroat and Chiffchaff. The ‘triangular’ field had a couple of Grey Herons, two Shelduck, a number of Shoveler and a few Gadwall, pair of Tufted Duck, Coot, Mallard and Lapwing.  A few Cormorant were nesting in the trees along the river. A couple of Swallow flew by and we heard a number of passerines: Skylark, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Wren, Long Tailed Tit, Blue Tit and Great Tit as well as Jackdaw, Crow, Rook, Blackbird, Magpie, Dunnock and Woodpigeon. In all 35 species were noted. Jackie Hart

Click here to read the latest species recording news from the Isle of Wight

Five members met on a breezy, bright, cool morning. We took our usual route. First thing we noted was the Hebridean sheep contained within an electrified fence browsing on the vegetation. It was notable that although the Skylark were singing no Meadow Pipit were seen or heard during the morning compared with last year. Stonechat were around in force with at least 4 pairs spotted and two Peregrine were seen on several occasions also two Ravens. Later three Buzzard were flying lazily in the thermals. In the bushes Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chaffinch and Chiffchaff also some Goldfinch. Also, Linnet, Dunnock, Blackbird, Magpie, a pheasant and Green Woodpecker were heard from time to time. Herring Gull were flying over and along the cliff edge and eventually a Woodpigeon put in an appearance. In all 22 species were seen during the morning. Jackie Hart

Ten members and two prospective new members met at the Island Harbour car park for a walk from Binfield to the Folly Inn, led by Jim Baldwin. Despite a brief shower at the start of the meeting, accompanied by a chilly wind, we set off on the footpath to the Folly. However, a combination of the recent rainfall and an above average spring tide forced a rethink. During this time, we were treated to the sight of approximately 200 Brent Geese flying to the field in front of where we were stood while some sunshine enticed a singing Skylark into the sky. We retraced our steps and opted for the footpath to Newport. In the wooded area, we had a brief glimpse of a male Bullfinch and a Goldcrest. On the way back, the footpath opposite the decaying Ryde Queen was submerged by the increasing high tide resulting, unfortunately, in wet feet for those who were not wearing wellies. Overall, an enjoyable morning.

In total, 32 species were recorded despite the blustery conditions: Canada Goose, Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Cormorant, Mallard, Teal, Shelduck, Moorhen, Coot, Little Egret, Redshank, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull,Pied Wagtail, Goldfinch, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Kestrel, Peregrine, Buzzard, Skylark, Rock Pipit. Robin, Woodpigeon, Blue Tit, Wren, Goldcrest, Bullfinch, Stonechat and Long-tailed Tit.

Jim Baldwin