Isle of Wight Sept 24th-30th

Back to my roots on the Isle of Wight and an opportunity to bird some of my old haunts. Wight is pretty underwatched and although hard work it can be rewarding.

September 24th

We arrived at our apartment at Bonchurch overlooking the English Channel in the afternoon with sunny weather, temp in the high teens. A Hummingbird Hawkmoth seen briefly added to the meditteranean feel.
Then a walk on nearby Ventnor Downs produced a few things including a Hobby, 3 Dartford Warbler and 6 Stonechat.

Stonechat Ventnor Downs

September 25th

Three Hobby flew though at Ventnor Downs between 1115-1215



Hobby at Ventnor Downs. This high ground overlooking the English Channel can be good for migrating raptors looking to depart south. Numbers are variable from year to year depending on the weather but the site often turns up Marsh Harrier , Honey Buzzard and Osprey

September 26th

Migration watch from the Southern Tip of the Island at St Catherines Pt with highlights being-
1 Juv Black Tern, 1 first w Arctic Tern, 2 Yellow-legged Gull,
279 Gannet, 1 Hobby and 2,100 Swallow all birds flying West.

Yellow-legged Gull passing St Catherines Point



Gannets passing St Catherines Point


In the afternoon dropped in briefly at Ryde Sands where there were 3 Med Gull, 7 Common Tern and 2 Dark-bellied Brent.

Second W Med Gull Ryde Sands-the IOW is amongst the top places in the country for non breeding gatherings of this species. Late summer/autumn sees peak numbers with the majority of birds from the Netherlands/Belgium. Bembridge Harbour at the Eastern end of the Island has recorded several hundred at this time.