Isle of Wight Birding: Day 2

 Monday 11 December

Shalfleet Lake at the start of Newtown Nature Reserve with many Brent and Canada Geese

Monday morning started bright and sunny with almost clear blue skies.  dancing finished so time to go birding starting with a drive down to Ventnor then along to St Catherine's Point and on up to the north-west coast to visit both the Newtown nature reserve and nearby Yarmouth. having had to make a detour as a result of a major landslip approaching Ventnor we passed through the Niton area where we had the pleasure of seeing a Yellowhammer cross the narrow road in front of us. Between here and St Catherine's Point we also recorded many Carrion Crows and Rooks along with Woodpigeon, Herring Gulls and a resting Buzzard, possibly looking for worms on the flooded field. In the Chale area we also added Blackbird, Robin and Dunnock.

Newtown Marsh looking towards the quay

Then it was across country to the small hamlet of Newtown and its nature reserve. But first, as we approached the hamlet, a stop at Shalfleet Water which was still full of water with the tide just turned and many close Shoveler and Teal.  On the middle of the water itself very many Brent Geese and more on the filed to the left of the water.  This area also held the resting flock of Canada Geese and a single Lapwing walked amongst them. A little further to their left a score of feeding Curlew.

Feeding Curlews Numenius arquata

On the field to the right of the water a small number of feeding Carrion Crows and then the distant sight of a score or more Fieldfare feeding on the berries on the bushes.  Woodpigeons flew over followed by a small number of Jackdaw and upon revisiting the Canada Geese flock we also found a single Greylag Goose.  At this point, the Starling flock crossed the water and we continued the few hundred yards up the hill, noting a pair of Chaffinches, to enter the reserve near the tall hide.

Distant record shot of a Fieldfare Turdus pilaris

From the first floor of the hide a good view over the marshes and water with a few nearby Brent Geese along with a single Little Egret and a Redshank. To the right a distant Mute Swan and way further to my right a field of feeding Rooks before I took a circular walk to the estuary and Newtown Quay whilst Jenny made a muddy, but not so muddy as I was to make, walk back to the car. Once at the edge of the marsh I took the wooded causeway to the quay for a closer look at the nearby waders which included Curlew, Redshank and Oystercatcher. Also present a handful of Grey Plover and a pair of Shelduck.

Brent Geese Branta bernicla

But, even better, as I rounded the small boatshed I found a Water Pipit feeding on the path in front of me which promptly flew across to the other side of the adjacent ditch.  Time to make my own way back to the car and approaching the vehicle I recorded a couple of Robin and a Song Thrush arrived on the  the bush in front of me.

Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta

Once on the reserve proper many Brent Geese plus Shelduck, Redshank, Grey Plover and Oystercatcher. But the pick of the day was surely the lone Water Pipit at the end of the long boardwalk. Arriving at Yarmouth with the tide almost out , the nearby creek at the back of the car park held very many Wigeon, and Black-tailed Godwits plus a sing Great Black-backed amongst the resting Black-headed Gulls Gulls. On the far bank Dunlin and Lapwing recorded plus a few Teal. Both Canada and Brent Geese present along with many Rooks and Carrion Crows plus a few Jackdaw. Even a Pied Wagtail put in a last minute appearance before we headed to Ryde for our final overnight.

Next a short stop at nearby Yarmouth where we were able to park at the side of the site with a clear view to the emptied channel below. Lots of resting Wigeon and Black-headed Gulls with a single Great Black-backed Gull.  This side of the channel a number of Black-tailed Godwits whilst the opposite bank provided many Dunlin.  A little further away a small number of Lapwing and a couple of Curlew. Then we suddenly became aware of the presence of both Canada and Brent Geese.  Whilst a lone Pied Wagtail foraged the field immediately in front of the car  we also noted the Jackdaws on the neighbouring properties and as we made our departure to head to Ryde for for our final night on the island we noted a mixed feeding flock of Carrion Crows and Rooks on the grassy area at the far side of the cark

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Wigeon, Mallard, Teal, Little Egret, Buzzard, Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Water Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Fieldfare, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Yellowhammer.

Newtown Marsh from the tall hide

Newtown Creek from the boardwalk showing a few of the Dunlin Calidris alpina present

For the latest news follow the Axarquia Birds and Wildlife Facebook page for more photos and comments and the opportunity to share with the wider birding world.