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Bird meeting at Newtown on 26^th February 2022

16 members met at the NT car park for a walk that took us to the field overlooking Causeway Lake, then to the flower meadow, Salt Pans, Boathouse, boardwalk and on to the bird hide and back to the car park.

During the morning the following birds were noted. Blue Tit, Jackdaw, Greenfinch, 2 Dunnock, Blackbird, House Sparrow, Black-headed Gull, Carrion Crow, 2 Buzzard, Kestrel, 1 Peregrine on nest, 95 Golden Plover, 40 Curlew, 30 Lapwing, at least 100 Brent Goose, 13, Pintail, Canada Goose, Oystercatcher, 2 Teal, 10 Mediterranean Gull, Robin, a Collared Dove was heard, 2 Mute Swan, at least 100 Shelduck, 1 Grey Plover, 4 Redshank, 4 Little Egret, 3 Red Breasted Merganser, 9 Great Black Backed Gull 1 Great Tit and 6 Starling. 31 species were noted. Toni Goodley

Catch up with all the latest species recording news from the Isle of Wight in the new edition of ‘Recording Now’ here.

14 members met at the car park opposite the Breeze for a walk on the righthand bank of the R Medina to The Folly and return. Having had rain overnight the going underfoot was very wet and muddy and the tide was high. However during the course of the morning we had a respectable haul of 41 bird species. A Greenfinch was heard from the car park and a family of 2 adults and 5 juvenile Mute Swan swam from Island Harbour out into the river. A number of Coot were seen on the other side of the river as were a number of Cormorant and 3 Canada Geese. A small flock of Brent Geese was seen, some close in. As the river was flat calm, we were able to see 7 Little Grebe together and another 7 were spotted dotted around. The gulls represented were Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Gull and three Mediterranean Gull. A group of some 46 Turnstone were at roost on a pontoon near The Folly and on the lawn at Pinkmead 14 Black Tailed Godwit were feeding with some Oystercatcher. A yacht and Blade Runner 2 came past and disturbed a flock of some 40 – 50 Lapwing. Along the shoreline were at least 5 Meadow Pipits and Skylark were to be seen by the fence line. Towards the end of the walk a pair of Stonechat put in an appearance. A couple of Song Thrush could be heard singing from the trees and a Mistle Thrush was also heard. Other passerines seen or heard were Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin, Blackbird and House Sparrow. We also heard Green Woodpecker and Great Spotted Woodpecker and Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon and Magpie too. There were a number of Dunnock which we all got a good view of and heard its lovely song. The only bird of prey was a Buzzard and the last bird seen back in the car park was a Pied Wagtail. In the woodland by the static homes we saw 2 Red Squirrels. Jackie Hart

Just 4 members met at Bluett Avenue for a sea watch, visit to Hersey Reserve and walk along the Old Toll Road, up Oakhill Road, Nettlestone Hill and down Pond Lane back to our cars. 2 more members joined us at Hersey Reserve. The tide was low and the sea flat calm so that we had excellent views of any birds sitting on the sea. We counted 7 Great Crested Grebe and a couple of Cormorant, a Mediterranean Gull, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Common Gull, Herring Gull and Black-headed Gulls and 2 Great Black Backed Gulls. On some bouys we saw 2 Sandwich Terns and another one flying, 13 Brent Geese. On the beach were 2 Crows 3 Rooks and about 12 Jackdaws. On one of the outflow pipes were 6 Turnstones. In Hersey Reserve we saw 4 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, the usual 1 Greenshank and 2 male and 1 female Shoveler, 27 Tufted Duck, a Water Rail, 3 Moorhen, 9 Coot, 1 Teal, 9 Mallard, 2 Mute Swan and 4 Little Grebe. When we sat in the hide we spotted 7 Snipe mainly hiding in the reeds. When I did a reconnoiter the day before there were 42 Tufted Duck, the largest count I have recorded there. Jim and Jane mentioned that there are usually about 30 Tufted Duck on Ryde Canoe Lake and the Reserve birds may have been disturbed from there. There was only 1 Greenfinch, and a handful of other birds during the morning: Robin, Blackbird, Dunnock, Magpie, Chiffchaff, Pied Wagtail, Woodpigeon, Goldfinch, Jay, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Blue Tit. The free flying Barnacle Geese were tracked down to the grass areas at Saltern Holiday Cottages but not all the flock was visible. 94 was counted together with the Swan Necked Goose and Snow Goose. 40 species in all were recorded. Jackie Hart

16 members and 2 guests meet on a very cold but sunny morning at the start of the cycle track in Thorley Road for a walk to Barnfield and return. Our only Fieldfare of the morning was seen at the start of the meeting and it was noted that we could not see or hear the Rook which normally frequent the fir trees across the road. They did put in an appearance at the end of the walk.  Although there was not as much water on the meadow at Rofford Marsh we did manage to see 3 Snipe as well as some Teal and a couple of Shoveler. A Kingfisher was also seen. Here we saw 16 Moorhen, more than we normally see. Moving on we saw about 20 Mallard in the river opposite ‘Off the Rails’ café which are fed by children. 10 House Sparrows and a Dunnock was noted as well as a female Bullfinch in the hedgerow along the track. On the estuary we saw Redshank, Oystercatcher, Turnstone, Dunlin, Black Tailed Godwit, about 100 Black Headed Gull, 2 Great Black Backed Gull, 4 Herring Gull and 10 Common Gull and 10 Shelduck and many Wigeon and Brent Goose. On the mud and on a field opposite we saw at least 50 Golden Plover, some were near enough to see their lovely golden plumage in the telescope and later 2 Grey Plover was also spotted so that the differences in the plumage could be seen. There were approximately 200 Lapwing both with the Golden Plover in the opposite field and on the exposed mud of the estuary. A total of 5 Little Grebe were seen: 2 near the café and 3 on the estuary. Two Grey Heron and 3 Little Egret were also noted as was a Marsh Harrier. On the Barnfield scrape the Spotted Redshank that has overwintered here for some years was picked out to everyone’s delight. In all 46 species were noted. Jackie Hart

There were 9 Members and 2 guests.  Dave Fairlamb kindly offered to lead the walk in the absence of Jackie Hart.  On the way up to the gate we spotted or heard Buzzard, Green Woodpecker, Wood Pigeon, Jay, Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit, & Long tailed Tit.  We also had brief sightings of 2 Spotted Flycatchers.  We continued with Herring Gull, Swallow and Magpie- followed by Chiffchaff, House Martin and Kestrel.  There were Carrion Crow, Jackdaw and Rook in the fields below the path.  We finally heard Goldfinch before we reached the gate.  After going through the gate, we turned off to the right where we saw 2 Dartford Warbler, Whitethroat and several Tree Pipit and also heard Willow Warbler.  We then took a path toward the cliffs when we saw a fall of about 100 Yellow Wagtail.  Spectacular!  We also had about 5 Wheatear 2 Stonechat 5 Rock Pipit and a Meadow Pipit.  A very successful walk which everyone enjoyed. Toni Goodley

Although it was very windy 12 members met at the far car park on Culver Down for a walk in the area. A Pheasant was walking along the road as I drove along. However, only a few birds appeared in the blustery conditions with Crow, Rook, Jackdaw and Magpie and two Raven. Great Black Backed Gull and Herring Gull patrolled the cliff top, and a Kestrel hung in the wind. At least ten Skylark were either seen or heard and a Meadow Pipit was heard calling. A small flock of Goldfinches were seen near the old coastguard cottages and Blue Tit were in the bushes further along. Whilst preparing to leave the car park at the end of the meeting I saw three Swallows fly by. We also spotted two Red Admiral butterflies and a Speckled Wood. Jackie Hart

The latest issue of the Island’s wildlife recording newsletter ‘Recording Now’ is now available here

The IW Bat Group and IW Bat Hospital are running an event to help celebrate International Bat Weekend 2021 were you can find out more about the Island’s bat species and hopefully get to track bats on the wing using detectors.

The event takes place on the evening of Saturday 28th August.

This is a free event, however booking is essential.

Find out more here

Our AGM will take place on Saturday 14th August at 14.00 hrs, at Arreton Community Centre.

You will have already received the papers. Please come along and support us if you feel comfortable to do so. We would encourage the use of face masks and we will have the windows open for good circulation. We hope to see you there.