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Bird Watching on the Isle of Wight

Bird Watching on Isle of Wight

Majestic sea cliffs and sweeping beaches; the quiet solitude of ancient woodlands; an ever changing patchwork of worked fields; the timeless and enduring presence of the downs: intricate inlets of tranquil creeks; long distance views from the coastal heath and downland; winding paths; shutes and hollow ways in the countryside; Chines and steps down cliffs to miles of beaches; all make the landscape a perfect place for birdwatching.

The Isle of Wight has a wide variety of habitats, all having their influence on the type of birds seen.

There are chalk, sand and clay cliffs; shores of sand, shingle mud and rock; fresh and saltwater marshes; tidal rivers and creeks; mixed farmland; deciduous and coniferous woods, copse and large areas of chalk downland.

The main kind of habitat inadequately represented is fresh water, of which there are only several ponds.

Species To Spot

The dominant feature of the Island is the ridge of chalk downs running west to east, from the Needles to Culver Cliff, with another group in the south around Ventnor.

There are numerous copses and thickets, plus mixed plantations above Brook and Brighstone.

Some of the regular species are Nightjar, Woodcocks, Long-eared Owl, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker & Firecrest.

The two ends of this ridge of chalk form high cliffs which are populated, especially on and near the Needles, by various seabirds.

Some of their nesting ledges can be seen from the cliff-top, but care is needed.

In the case of several interesting species - Fulmar, Cormorant, Shag, Lesser and Great Black-backed Gulls, Guillemot and Razorbill - these cliffs mark the eastern limit of breeding (or at least of regular breeding) along the south coast of Britain.

Freshwater Bay, a short break in the chalk near the western end, is sometimes resorted to for shelter from severe weather.

Cormorants, Shags & Gulls all can be seen.

The Island's three main rivers all drain to the north - the Medina in the centre, and the two others, both confusingly named the Yar, at either end (Newtown really only a creek).

The estuaries of the two Yars can offer a wide variety of visiting species (mainly ducks and waders) and a few nesters, but much of Brading Marsh (a reclaimed part of the former estuary of the eastern Yar) is private.

At the Medina estuary you will find many species of waders & oystercatchers, swans & ducks.

The area most likely to be worth a visit at any season of the year is that around Newtown River and Marsh, on the Island's Northwest coast.

The nesting species include Shelduck, Oystercatcher and Black-headed Gull and occasionally Sandwich and Common Terns.

Also often present during the summer are numbers of non-breeding waders, including Grey plover, Dunlin, Knot and Black-tailed Godwit.

At other times there is a wider variety of species, mainly ducks in winter and waders in the migration seasons.

St Catherines Point, at the southern extremity of the Island, attracts considerable notice, largely on account of the birds which can be found resting there, usually after migrating during an overcast night.

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Ventnor Botanic Garden

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Type:

Botanic Garden

St Lawrence

WIGHT IN BLOOM 2015 AWARD - JOINT 2ND PLACE (BEST TOURIST ATTRACTION GARDEN - LARGE).
Ventnor Botanic Garden lies at the heart of a remarkable microclimate on the south coast of the Isle of Wight. Protected by the chalk downs of the Ventnor...
Island Line

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Train

RYDE

The Isle of Wight has its very own unique electric train service which runs between Ryde Pier Head and Shanklin. View our train map here http://www.southwesttrains.co.uk/island-line-train-map.aspx
Brook Beach

Type

Type:

Beach

Newport

Brook Beach can be found on the unspoiled south west coast of the Isle of Wight, and is a beach made up of golden sands adjacent to the popular Compton Bay.
Sandown Beach

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Type:

Beach

Sandown

Sandown Beach is one of the Isle of Wight's finest and most recognised beaches, with miles of soft golden sands crowned by Sandown’s pleasure pier.
Appuldurcombe Gardens Holiday Park

Type

Type:

Camping & Caravan Site

Wroxall

Award winning family run 5 star Holiday Park, located within an area of outstanding nature beauty, situated within the former grounds of an historic House. We provide Self catering units, Touring and Camping.
Osborne Holiday Cottages

Type

Type:

Self-Catering

EAST COWES

Three cottages located within the grounds of Osborne where Queen Victoria made Osborne House her country get-away for 50 years.
East Cowes Beach

Type

Type:

Beach

East Cowes

East Cowes Beach is a quiet shingle and sand beach with fantastic views across West Cowes and its marina, and also out across the Solent.
Wight Riviera

Type

Type:

Sporting Event

YARMOUTH

The Wight Riviera Sportive brings true south coast cycling chic to the sportive scene! The first ever event to use the new Sportive Avantage format, the Wight Riviera is a celebration of the sportive form; a ride with roads, scenery and atmosphere.
Waverley Park Holiday Centre

Type

Type:

Camping & Caravan Site

EAST COWES

TO BOOK ON-LINE PLEASE CLICK HERE.
A family run park situated in the Island's most famous town of Cowes - Waverley Park has direct access to the promenade east of the River Medina and enjoys panoramic views over Cowes Harbour and the Solent. At...
artSOUTH

Type

Type:

Exhibition

NEWPORT

artSOUTH consists of 15 organisations, including local authorities, universities, art schools and independent arts organisations to raise the profile of contemporary visual arts in the Hampshire area.
Southern Vectis Omnibus Co Ltd

Type

Type:

Bus & Coach

ISLANDWIDE

Southern Vectis runs the local buses on the Isle of Wight. Their routes connect most parts of the Island to all major towns. Buses are frequent with some routes running through the night.
Island Coaster route is Ryde to Bembridge, Sandown,...
Brook House Cottage - Westbrook

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Type:

Self-Catering

BROOK

Close to the beach, surrounded by National Trust land & in the middle of the AONB, Brook House is a beautiful and peaceful location for a lovely self-catering holiday cottage.
Tourism For All

The Havelock

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Type:

Guest House

SHANKLIN

The Havelock, set in mature gardens, offers excellent facilities, value for money and personal service.
Fort Holiday Park

Type

Type:

Static Units

SANDOWN

A secluded friendly family park with attached pub restaurant within 5 minutes walk of Sandown town & award winning beach. An ideal base to explore the beautiful Isle of Wight. Within easy walking distance to shops, restaurants, clubs and pubs.
Godshill Model Village

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Type:

Model / Miniature Village

GODSHILL

This beautiful Model Village is set in nearly two acres of gorgeous landscaped gardens, a real retro find. A quintessentially English visitor attraction! Something for the gardeners and dreamers amongst us.
Freshwater Bay

Type

Type:

Beach

Freshwater

Freshwater Bay is one of the most picturesque beaches in West Wight and lies just to the South of the town of Freshwater.
Adventure Activities Isle of Wight

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Type:

Adventure Park / Playground

YARMOUTH

We love outdoor adventure activities, and we want to show you why we love them. Our adventures are based in the water, the hills and the woods of the spectacular and picturesque Isle of Wight!
Join us for a kayak surfing session, archery in the...
The Royal

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Type:

Hotel

VENTNOR

The Royal is recognised as the Island's largest premier hotel. Originally built as a coaching house in 1832, the main hotel is nestled into exotic south facing gardens overlooking Ventnor's stunning coastline.
On arrival you'll find yourself in...
Chequers Inn

Type

Type:

Pub/Inn

ROOKLEY

The Chequers Inn is a country pub in the heart of the Isle of Wight and although it has many modern facilities it still retains its traditional character.
Ryde Superbowl

Type

Type:

Sports Ground

RYDE

Ryde Superbowl has 22 lanes of computerised tenpin bowling, fully licensed Pavilion Cafe Bar, state of the art amusements and pool table.
LaserQuest at Ryde Superbowl – the ultimate sci-fi action adventure game for all ages! We have packages of...

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Bird Watching on the Isle of Wight

Bird Watching on Isle of Wight

Species To Spot

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