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In March, iWatch Wildlife took part in a special event called Discovery Bay led by Arc Consulting as part of British National Science Week. (more…)

If you missed the conference or wish to look back on the presentations, you can now find them at https://iwnhas.org/presentations-from-the-2017-recorders-conference/

Biological recording and its influence on wildlife conservation at Briddlesford

A presentation given by Jonathan Cox to the 2017 Isle of Wight Recorders’ Conference

Artificial structures and ecological enhancement

Presentation by Roger Herbert and Alice Hall to the 2017 Isle of Wight Recorders’ Conference

Come and be a Bayologist in British Science Week and explore 100 million years of wildlife!

There will be microscopes, rockpooling, fossil hunting and birdwatching as we take a look at the amazing natural world of The Bay.

iWatch Wildlife (The Society’s new species recording project) will be getting involved helping out with species recording over the two days, please do come along – it would be brilliant to see you there – any help with species identification / recording / would be warmly welcomed! For more information please search for @IWNHAS on Facebook or contact Tina iwatchwildlife@gmail.com.

The Isle of Wight Moth Report 2016 is now available to download here.

Iain Outlaw writes in the introduction to the report: ” Although the first two weeks of January were mild the following months were dominated by wet and unsettled weather causing a negative impact on Lepidoptera. (more…)

Eight of the botany group gathered at the top of Appley Steps to start the hunt for native and naturalised plants (not planted in gardens) which were in flower. The definition of ‘in flower’ requires the anthers to be visible. A male Hazel (Corylus avellana) catkin fully open had already been observed and at our feet was a plant of Common Centaury (Centaurium erythraea) in bloom. We set off along the cliff top and round Rylstone Gardens to find more species, including Greater Periwinkle (Vinca major). (more…)

Dave Dana has discovered one of our rarest fungi in private woodland at Appuldurcombe. (more…)

The broomrapes are up and about in hedgerows and roadside verges and it’s a good time to track them down.

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Magpie Ink Cap © GTa

Dog Stinkhorn © GTa

Gary Taylor had been out and about and sent us some pictures taken in Borthwood Copse; Magpie Ink Cap (Coprinus picaceus) and Dog Phallus or Dog Stinkhorn (Mutinus caninus). Dr Colin Pope, one of our joint Fungus Recorders, replied

‘It’s not something we see a lot of but this autumn seems to have been a particularly good one for Magpie Ink Caps. They seem to be popping up all over the place.’

Luke Ellison sent us a very comprehensive report of several different species of Ladybirds he had seen and photographed on the Island’s coast. This was in response to our poster which requests sightings. Our Beetle Recorder, Bill Shepard, has a ‘Beetle Drive’ going at the moment. These particular ones included ‘Harlequin Ladybirds’ which we are interested in as an increasing species here.