Birds in Isle of Wight
Explore 186 species found in this region.
The Isle of Wight is a remarkable destination for birdwatching, with 185 recorded species thriving across its diverse mosaic of coastal estuaries, chalk downland, ancient woodland, and farmland habitats. The island's sheltered harbours and mudflats attract wading birds such as Northern Lapwing, Common Sandpiper, and Greenshank, while its rural heartland supports iconic species including Barn Owl, Great Tit, and Eurasian Woodcock. Whether you're scanning the shoreline for Common Shelduck or listening for the chatter of Magpies and Common Starlings in the hedgerows, the Isle of Wight offers year-round birding opportunities.
Visiting in April? Look out for Avocet and Bar-tailed Godwit arriving this month, and Cattle Egret and Eider depart for the season.
Showing 139–161 of 186 species
Red Kite
Milvus milvusLC
A rare passage visitor in spring, occasionally drifting over from the mainland. Sightings are increasing as the UK population recovers.
Feb–Jun
Red Knot
Calidris canutusNT
A rare non-breeding visitor to the island's mudflats and estuaries, most likely encountered in winter months among other wader flocks.
Aug–Mar
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
Red-legged Partridge
Alectoris rufaNT
A rare resident of arable farmland and open downland. This introduced gamebird is far less numerous here than on the mainland.
Year-round
Red-necked Grebe
Podiceps grisegenaLC
A rare winter visitor to sheltered coastal waters, occasionally seen in the Solent from December to February.
Dec–Feb
Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellataLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to island waters from late autumn through spring, often seen offshore in the Solent.
Nov–Apr
Redshank
Tringa totanusLC
A common resident of the island's estuaries and saltmarshes, easily recognised by its loud piping calls and bright orange-red legs.
Year-round
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
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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
Ring Ouzel
Turdus torquatusLC
A rare passage migrant seen briefly in April and again in autumn. Favours open downland and coastal scrub during stopovers on the island.
Oct–Apr
Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticulaLC
An uncommon resident breeding on shingle beaches and sandy shores. Passage birds boost numbers in spring and autumn.
Year-round
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
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
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
Noisy rookeries are a familiar sight in the island's farmland trees. A common resident, often seen foraging in flocks across arable fields.
Year-round
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpresLC
An uncommon but reliable shorebird, foraging on rocky coasts and seaweed-strewn beaches outside the breeding season.
Jul–Apr
Ruff
Philomachus pugnaxLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally spotted on muddy pools and coastal lagoons during September.
Sep
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
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
Sandwich Tern
Thalasseus sandvicensisLC
An uncommon resident seen plunge-diving in the Solent and off island beaches, present year-round.
Year-round
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC
An uncommon summer breeder in the island's reedbeds and waterside vegetation, arriving in April and departing by September.
Apr–Sep
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeusLC
A rare resident of open downland and marshes, seen sporadically through the year but absent in some months.
Oct–Jun
Snow Bunting
Plectrophenax nivalisLC
A rare October passage visitor, occasionally found on shingle beaches and open coastal ground. An exciting find for island birders.
Oct
Snow Goose
Anser caerulescensLC
A rare winter visitor, with sightings most likely involving escapees from captive collections rather than genuine wild vagrants.
Oct–Jan