Uncommon Birds in Isle of Wight

60 species matching this filter.

All birds in Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight supports a rich variety of birdlife, with around 60 species classified as uncommon visitors or residents across the island's diverse habitats. From the mudflats and estuaries that attract waders such as Black-tailed Godwit and Greenshank, to the woodlands and hedgerows where Bullfinch and Goldcrest can be found, the island offers rewarding birdwatching opportunities for those willing to look a little harder. Notable species in this category also include the elegant Great White Egret, the agile Hobby, and the high-flying Common Swift.

Goldcrest
GoldcrestSmallest · 8.5cm
to
Great White Egret
Great White EgretLargest · 104cm
Ranges from the Goldcrest (8.5cm) to the Great White Egret (104cm)27 families represented39 year-round residents

Showing 24–46 of 60 species

Grey Plover

Grey Plover

Pluvialis squatarolaLC

An uncommon non-breeding visitor to mudflats and estuaries, present from autumn through spring in smart silver-grey winter plumage.

Sep–Apr

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

Grey Wagtail

Motacilla cinereaLC

An uncommon resident found near the island's streams and waterways, its bright yellow underparts and bobbing tail distinctive by flowing water.

Sep–Jun

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

Greylag Goose

Anser anserLC

An uncommon resident found on freshwater marshes and grazing fields. Feral populations breed locally, with numbers boosted in autumn.

Sep–Jul

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

Hobby

Falco subbuteoLC

An elegant summer breeder, arriving in May and hunting dragonflies over heathland and wetlands until autumn departure.

May–Oct

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

House Martin

Delichon urbicumLC

An uncommon breeding visitor from March to October, nesting under eaves in towns and villages. Numbers have declined in recent decades.

Mar–Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Lesser Black-backed Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscusLC

An uncommon year-round resident, often seen on the island's beaches, harbours, and farmland throughout all seasons.

Year-round

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

Lesser Whitethroat

Curruca currucaLC

An uncommon summer breeder arriving in April, favouring dense hedgerows and scrubby thickets across the island before departing by September.

Apr–Sep

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

Little Grebe

Tachybaptus ruficollisLC

A small, unobtrusive resident of ponds, lakes and sheltered waterways, often betrayed by its distinctive whinnying call.

Year-round

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

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Mistle Thrush

Mistle Thrush

Turdus viscivorusLC

An uncommon but year-round resident, often heard singing boldly from tall trees in parkland and open woodland even in midwinter.

Year-round

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

Northern Gannet

Morus bassanusLC

Seen year-round plunge-diving offshore, especially from the island's southern cliffs. Most conspicuous during autumn passage.

Year-round

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

Northern Pintail

Anas acutaLC

An uncommon winter visitor to the island's estuaries and harbours, with elegant long-necked silhouettes on sheltered mudflats from autumn through early spring.

Sep–Mar

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

Northern Shoveler

Spatula clypeataLC

An uncommon resident of shallow freshwater wetlands, using its distinctive broad bill to filter-feed. Numbers peak in winter.

Aug–Jun

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

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinusLC

An uncommon year-round resident nesting on the island's sea cliffs and sometimes hunting over estuaries.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red-breasted Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Mergus serratorLC

An uncommon non-breeding visitor to sheltered coastal waters from autumn to spring. Often seen diving in harbours and estuaries.

Oct–Apr

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

Redwing

Turdus iliacusNT

An uncommon winter visitor arriving from October, foraging in hedgerows and fields. Often found alongside Fieldfares in berry-laden bushes.

Oct–Mar

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

Reed Bunting

Emberiza schoeniclusLC

An uncommon year-round resident of the island's reedbeds and marshy areas, the male's black head and white moustache are distinctive.

Year-round

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

Ringed Plover

Charadrius hiaticulaLC

An uncommon resident breeding on shingle beaches and sandy shores. Passage birds boost numbers in spring and autumn.

Year-round

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

Rock Dove

Columba liviaLC

Present year-round on coastal cliffs and in towns. Feral populations mix with truly wild birds along the island's chalk ledges.

Year-round

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

Rock Pipit

Anthus petrosusLC

An uncommon resident of the island's rocky shores and sea cliffs, foraging among seaweed-covered rocks year-round at sites like the Needles.

Year-round

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

Ruddy Turnstone

Arenaria interpresLC

An uncommon but reliable shorebird, foraging on rocky coasts and seaweed-strewn beaches outside the breeding season.

Jul–Apr

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

Sand Martin

Riparia ripariaLC

An uncommon summer breeder, nesting in sandy cliff faces along the coast. Often seen hawking insects low over water from March.

Mar–Oct

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

Sanderling

Calidris albaLC

An uncommon non-breeding visitor, scurrying along sandy beaches and shorelines from late summer through winter in its pale plumage.

Aug–Mar

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

Sandwich Tern

Thalasseus sandvicensisLC

An uncommon resident seen plunge-diving in the Solent and off island beaches, present year-round.

Year-round

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