SERIN

St Cath's Sea watch (light SE and bright conditions) this morning with George, Steve, Mark, Niomi, and Andrew, produced a few bits moving eastwards: common scoters, sarnies, and an Arctic Skua etc. But yet to get really going in that respect. The highlight was a calling Serin just after 7am: came in from the west and landed in the tamarisk for a time (calling away and just visible) before departing and disappearing eastwards....

Puffin

Unfortunately I found the remains of an (Atlantic) Puffin today, not far from SCP. On the back of quite a few washed up birds found around the Island's coast and beyond: thought to be a consequence of the recent stormy conditions. IOW Puffin sightings are usually during spring with the odd one or two seen passing by St Cath's/Ventnor etc. 

Heartbreaking: Right now, thousands of Puffins are washing up along our coasts and further afield. It is devastating to see. These birds are Red-listed in the UK and already under serious pressure. Mass deaths like this, known as a “seabird wreck”, can take years for colonies to recover from...

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— RSPB (@rspb.bsky.social) February 19, 2026 at 11:53 AM

Wheatear

Signs of early spring migration recently: today the first Wheatear near Watershoot Bay (SCP). Also, mipits and alba wags over and the odd siskin. Sea passage (light SE winds) was limited to a reasonable sum of common scoters (x24 East) and a few RTD.....

Woodlark

A singing Woodlark was recently found by Graham Andrews (at an undisclosed Island location) and thanks to Graham providing info I got to experience it today. I often encounter a few vis mig 'flyovers', especially during October/November, but to hear a singing individual at this time of year is quite novel, especially on the IOW; places like the nearby New Forest still have healthy numbers breeding as far as I'm aware. Got some some record shots and something of a sound recording (an ill-timed overhead plane didn't help). Plus, after so many wet dreary days this winter it was nice to experience some sunshine too. 

SCP (sea etc)

Using up some annual leave presently and over the last week or so. Weather's been a mixed bag (showery) and quite blowy at times, from the south, so I tried sea watching at 'St Cath's' a few times: fairly low/average numbers of passing RTDs (38 on Jan 18th), kittiwakes, etc. Plus, 2x DB Brent, 2x common Scoter, and a shelduck (all Eastbound on Jan 22nd). Enjoyable nonetheless and something about a stormy sea....

A Black-necked Grebe was a highlight off Ryde Pier back on Jan 19th (and a collective total of c50 GC Grebes on Solent waters West and East of the Pier).

Overall a fairly mild winter - Spring not far off now

Sibe Chiff - New Year

Having not posted anything for a while I thought I better post something....first post of the year too. A cold start to 2026, frosty and icy, North westerlies - but nice and bright. 

A Sibe-looking Chiff was the highlight today (Jan 5th) at Roud (Sewage Works), a typical spot to find a tristis with common chiffs (10+) feeding in and around the clinker beds. Plus, a calling Cetti's nearby and two Egyptian Goose flew over..

Record shot at least - stood out next to the more typical common chiffs

Back end of last year - 'Russian' White-fronted geese with Canadas - Brading Marsh (40+ since December 27th 2025)

Ventnor Bay - Jan 2026

Visiting brother (end of September)

Graham visited the island September 22nd - September 25th, so a shortish visit, but as ever, we maximised the time spent out in the field. 

Day 1 (Monday): an afternoon visit to Luccombe Down and Farm showing Graham my local 'haunts'. Day 2 (Tuesday): an early morning vis mig session at Whale Chine: the hirundine passage was impressive with an estimate of 20,000 swallows and House Martins moving eastwards along the coast. A Merlin was hunting over the nearby fields too. Later on, midday we tried WHD for migrant raptors, but only the locals put on a show including a Red Kite. Day 3 (Wednesday): another vis session on Luccombe Down; plus grounded migrants included two Groppers. Final day, day 4 (Thursday), we went back to WHD, and the highlights there were a male Ring Ouzel and 250 siskins east. However, for Graham at least (we'd parted ways at WHD!), the overall highlight during his afternoon visit to SCP was a Wryneck near Watershoot Bay, which stayed for a couple of days at least, so many got to see it too. A pleasant time and got lucky with the weather (bright/North Easterlies). 

Prior to Graham coming down, some raptor watches atop Luccombe Down in conducive conditions produced very little other than an Osprey back on September 21st. Plus, singles of hobby knocking about or heading through. 

IOW Trip 22/9-25/9 The best was saved to last, literally, in my last few hours spent at St Catherines Point, one of my favourite Island spots. I almost stepped on a cracking Wryneck which proceeded to give great views. Two Juv Hobby hawking insects added to a nice finish to the week.

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— Graham Sparshott (@fifevismig.bsky.social) September 27, 2025 at 8:48 PM

Kingfisher - exceptional views from the hide at Hersey Nature Reserve - Sept 24th (brave too as it was swooped on by a sprawk at times?!) 

Not often you get out of your car and are immediately greeted by a Pied Fly - Nansen Hill - September 21st