Isle of Wight Natural History and Archaeological Society

BTO Heathland Bird Survey – your help needed!

Wed 02, 2025

by Tina Whitmore

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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.

Our Heathland birds need you!

Thu 01, 2025

by Tina Whitmore

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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

Go Wild at the Dunsbury Coast – IW BioBlitz 2024

Wed 06, 2024

by Tina Whitmore

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Join the BioBlitz at Dunsbury Farm – Saturday 22 June, 10am – 4pm.

Since taking over The Dunsbury Estate above Compton Bay in 2015, The National Trust set about evolving it from intensive farming into a sustainable, wildlife-rich landscape. Now, it’s time to discover the amazing species that call this place home.

Will you spot the rare Glanville Fritillary butterfly, hear skylarks, or find cat’s ear? All you need to do is photograph the plants and animals you see on your phone, and our seasoned naturalists will help identify them.

(more…)

Go Wild at Dunsbury Coast – IW BioBlitz 2024

Wed 06, 2024

by Tina Whitmore

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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…

Recording Now e-newsletter available

Wed 05, 2024

by Tina Whitmore

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

Use your voice for Nature on the Isle of Wight through the Island Nature Partnership!

Wed 02, 2024

by Tina Whitmore

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Island Nature is an opportunity to share your thoughts on what can be done to help the recovery of our habitats and wildlife here on the Isle of Wight. Your opinions will help shape a new approach to nature conservation called the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).

How can you help? Please take part in the Island Nature Survey!

https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSdBgNiPWxf29e…/viewform

This short questionnaire will help us understand your priorities for wildlife and habitat recovery on the Island and help identify those places that you feel could work wilder!

National Trust Species Recovery Project: incorrect email

Wed 02, 2024

by Tina Whitmore

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Please note: Paul Davies’ email was incorrect in the recent addition of Recording Now, and the same goes for piece to be featured in the forthcoming Bulletin.

If you would like to find out more about getting involved with the project, please contact Paul on: paul.davies@nationaltrust.org.uk

Winter Tree Walk – Saturday 27th Jan

Fri 01, 2024

by Tina Whitmore

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Just a reminder that booking is required on the forthcoming Winter Tree Walk, Northwood Park Cowes, Saturday 27th January 14:00hrs.

A chance to observe some very large historic trees and try identifying trees by winter twigs.

Meet by the large Plane Tree by the Public Toilets near the car park in Park Road, Cowes

Leaders Dave and Hazel Trevan.

Booking essential phone 01983 853927

A wonderful evening at the IWNHAS Centenary Dinner

Wed 12, 2023

by Tina Whitmore

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Talk about about one of the longest Centenary Celebrations ever….

Back in November 2019, the Isle of Wight Natural History & Archaeological Society began what was to be a year long celebration of special events to mark reaching our Centenary – 100 years of promoting the study and conservation of natural history, and archaeology, especially in relation to the Isle of Wight, and to promote, in every possible way, the conservation of the flora and fauna of the Isle of Wight, and the proper preservation of all objects of special archaeological and geological interest.

A special dinner was one of the many planned celebratory events that ended up being postponed due to the Pandemic. However, on November 13th (almost 4 years to the day of our Centenary Birthday), we were delighted to finally get together for our Centenary Dinner!

50 Members of the IWNHAS attended a wonderful evening at the The Isle of Wight College Restaurant where we enjoyed a delicious three course menu prepared and served by the Catering Students.

Our MC for the event was Matthew Chatfield – IWNHAS President.

We also enjoyed three esteemed speakers and IWNHAS legends – Former President – Richard Smout speaking about the beginnings of The Society, how it came to be and the early influencers.

Dr Colin Pope – also former President, and current Secretary followed with a heartfelt speech on what The Society means personally, sharing some of his early encounters with The Society as 12 year old boy and how this shaped his journey.

Finally Dr Roger Herbert propelled us into the future, painting a picture of how things might look for The Society and all the great things we might look forward to working on over the next 100 years.

We would like to thank all IWNHAS Members and Volunteers involved in making the evening such a great success. Thanks also to the staff and students at The IW College for hosting such a memorable evening.

Here’s to the next 100 years!

Another Successful IW Recorders’ Conference…

Wed 11, 2023

by Tina Whitmore

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There was a fantastic turn out for the annual IW Recorder’s Conference hosted by IWNHAS, Saturday 11th November.

The Arreton Hall was packed with folks having a common interest in local wildlife recording. It was wonderful to catch-up with old friends and meet new – all presided over by our President – Matthew Chatfield.

Jamie Marsh (HIWWT – Director of Nature Recovery, Wilder Wight & Wilder Seas) was our first keynote speaker sharing progress, successes and lessons learned so far on The Trust’s two re-wilding sites on the IW – Wilder Duxmore and Wilder Nunwell. It was excellent to hear the about diversity of species and habitats theses sites are supporting since the pressure of farming has been removed from the land. Jamie also showed us the East Wight cluster of HIWWT reserves map and aspirations to connect these up in the future when opportunities may arise.

Just ahead of the break, Paul Davies (Ecologist – National Trust Isle of Wight) introduced us to a new project ‘White Cliffs and White Chalk Species Recovery Project’ which aims to support the recovery of specialist flora and fauna in two iconic landscapes, the White Cliffs of Dover and Isle of Wight. Paul is working on monitoring key species linked to chalk grassland habitats including: early gentian, oxtongue broomrape, glanville fritillary, white spot moth and dew footman moth.

Refreshing tea and delicious cakes baked by Newport IOW Country Market followed with the opportunity to catch-up with fellow recorders and browse pre-loved nature books and publications.

Following the interval, Theo Vickers‘ ‘Into the Wild Seas’ presentation was jam packed of dazzling underwater images taken by Theo himself from around the coastal waters of the IW. Theo is currently studying an Msc Marine Vertebrate Ecology and Conservation and made the journey back to the IW to speak at the conference for which we are very grateful. Theo’s talk provided delegates with a glimpse into the incredible diversity that the intertidal waters of the Island support as well a highlighting the importance of species recording, and the impacts he’s witnessed due to warming seas, extreme weather and human pressures.

It’s well worth exploring Theo’s breathtaking website: https://theovickersmarinewildlife.co.uk/ and if you are interested in buying a print for Christmas, give Theo a shout via the Contact button.

Finally, Matthew spoke on Ian Boyd’s behalf about the Government’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy Local nature recovery strategies – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

We would like to thank all our speakers for their inspiring, engaging and thought provoking presentations; to all delegates attending, and to all IWNHAS Members and Volunteers whom keep the whole event running – see you next year!

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There was a fantastic turn out for the annual IW Recorder’s Conference hosted by IWNHAS, Saturday 11th November.