Common Birds in Isle of Wight

49 species matching this filter.

All birds in Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight supports a rich variety of common bird species across its diverse habitats, from chalk downland and ancient woodland to estuaries and coastal cliffs. With 49 commonly sighted species, birdwatchers can expect to encounter everything from the distinctive call of the Cetti's Warbler in wetland reedbeds to the drumming of Great Spotted Woodpeckers in the island's mature woodlands. Many of these species are also familiar visitors to gardens across the country — for a broader look at what you might spot at your feeders, see 23 Common Garden Birds in the UK (Full Guide with Pictures).

Eurasian Wren
Eurasian WrenSmallest · 9cm
to
Mute Swan
Mute SwanLargest · 160cm
Ranges from the Eurasian Wren (9cm) to the Mute Swan (160cm)29 families represented47 year-round residents

Showing 1–23 of 49 species

Barn Swallow

Barn Swallow

Hirundo rusticaLC

A common summer breeder arriving from March, hawking insects over farmyards and meadows. Some linger into November before heading south.

Mar–Nov

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Blackbird

Blackbird

Turdus merulaLC

One of the island's most familiar birds, abundant in gardens, hedgerows and woodland year-round. Its rich, melodious song is a constant backdrop.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Blackcap

Blackcap

Sylvia atricapillaLC

Present year-round in woodland and gardens, boosted in winter by continental migrants. Its rich warbling song fills the island's copses from spring.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Blue Tit

Blue Tit

Cyanistes caeruleusLC

A common resident found in gardens, hedgerows, and woodland throughout the island. A regular and welcome visitor to bird feeders year-round.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Brent Goose

Brent Goose

Branta berniclaLC

Common on sheltered harbours and estuaries, especially around Newtown and the north coast. Dark-bellied birds winter in good numbers.

Sep–Jun

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Buzzard

Buzzard

Buteo buteoLC

A common resident, frequently seen soaring over the island's downs and farmland throughout the year.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Canada Goose

Canada Goose

Branta canadensisLC

Common and widespread year-round on lakes, rivers and marshes. Large flocks gather on grassland and at sites like Newtown.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Carrion Crow

Carrion Crow

Corvus coroneLC

A common and adaptable year-round resident, widespread across the island's towns, farms, and coastline.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Spotted something?

Upload a photo to identify it

Identify
Cetti's Warbler

Cetti's Warbler

Cettia cettiLC

A common resident of reedbeds and dense waterside scrub. Its explosive burst of song from deep cover is heard year-round on the island.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Chaffinch

Chaffinch

Fringilla coelebsLC

A common and widespread resident, found in woodlands, hedgerows and gardens across the island throughout the year.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Chiffchaff

Chiffchaff

Phylloscopus collybitaLC

A common year-round resident whose distinctive two-note song is one of the earliest signs of spring in the island's woods and gardens.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Pheasant

Common Pheasant

Phasianus colchicusLC

Common and widespread across farmland, woodland edges and hedgerows year-round. Regularly released for shooting on the island.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Raven

Common Raven

Corvus coraxLC

Now a common resident after recolonising the island, frequently seen soaring along the dramatic chalk cliffs and downland ridges.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Starling

Common Starling

Sturnus vulgarisLC

A common resident across the island, often gathering in large, swirling winter roosts. Numbers have declined nationally, making local flocks increasingly notable.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Coot

Coot

Fulica atraLC

Common and resident on the island's freshwater lakes and reservoirs, often gathering in large flocks outside the breeding season.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Curlew

Curlew

Numenius arquataNT

Present year-round on estuaries and farmland, its evocative call a signature sound of the island's coast. Winter numbers boosted by continental birds.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Dunnock

Dunnock

Prunella modularisLC

A common but unobtrusive resident of hedgerows and garden shrubbery across the island, best detected by its thin, warbling song.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Eurasian Jay

Eurasian Jay

Garrulus glandariusLC

A common resident of the island's woodlands and copses, often heard giving its harsh screeching call before being seen amongst the oaks.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Eurasian Oystercatcher

Eurasian Oystercatcher

Haematopus ostralegusNT

Common year-round on the island's estuaries and rocky shores, with its piping call a characteristic coastal sound.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Eurasian Skylark

Eurasian Skylark

Alauda arvensisLC

A common resident of the island's chalk downland and farmland. Its soaring song flight is a familiar sound over open grasslands.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Eurasian Wigeon

Eurasian Wigeon

Mareca penelopeLC

Common on the island's estuaries and flooded grasslands from autumn through spring, with large flocks gathering on the Newtown and Medina estuaries.

Sep–May

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Eurasian Wren

Eurasian Wren

Troglodytes troglodytesLC

A common and vocal resident found in virtually every habitat with dense cover, from woodland to coastal scrub and island gardens.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
European Goldfinch

European Goldfinch

Carduelis carduelisLC

A common and colourful year-round resident, often seen in chattering flocks feeding on teasels and thistles across the island.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Page 1 of 3Next

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Birds in Isle of Wight | Birdfact