Bird Watching
The Isle of Wight is home to over 200 species of birds and the Western Yar Estuary at Yarmouth offers excellent opportunities to view many of the wading birds and waterfowl species that can be found on the Island.
Quite often the more secretive species can be seen enjoying the peaceful serenity of the River Yar. The nearby woods and fields offer cover to numerous small birds and raptors. The time of year will make a big difference to what birds you can spot.
Western Yar Estuary Species
In summer look out for: mute swan, Canada goose, mallard, little grebe, little egret, grey heron, moorhen, common coot, oystercatcher, black-tailed godwit, common redshank, cormorant, buzzard, kestrel, barn owl, wren, longtailed tit, robin, goldcrest, goldfinch, blue tit, green tit, chaffinch, and pheasant.
In winter look out for: mute swan, brent goose, common shelduck, wigeon, teal, mallard, shoveler, little grebe, little egret, grey heron, water rail, moorhen, common coot, grey clover, northern lapwing, dunlin, common snipe, black-tailed godwit, curlew, common redshank, common kingfisher, black headed gull, common gull, gadwall, buzzard, buzzard, kestrel, barn owl, wren, longtailed tit, robin, goldcrest, goldfinch, blue tit, green tit, chaffinch, and pheasant.
Illustrations by Alan Rowe at potting-shed-cartoons.co.uk
Bird Watching Walks
To get the most enjoyment from bird watching you might want to consider going on a guided walk. Natural Links offer guided walks in West Wight and the wider Island. The walks cover bird identification, songs and calls, bird behaviour and bird watching fieldcraft, taking in many different habitats and a wide range of bird species on the Isle of Wight.
Bird Watching Around The Island
The Isle of Wight Natural History & Archaeological Society has a useful guide to other birds you might see around the Island.