The Isle of Wight is an ideal destination for going out into the countryside, filling up your lungs with fresh air and exploring Britain’s wildlife. The Island is home to a wide range of wild birds, mammals, and insect life that have developed alongside meadows, estuaries, ponds, coasts and forested areas. In many places this multiplicity has been drastically endangered by the intensification of farming and the prolonged encroachment of urban space. The Isle of Wight has however succeeded, through its size and natural seclusion, to restrain the ceaseless march of the deterioration which has been brought on in many parts of mainland Britain.
Tourism has superseded farming as the Island’s primary industry and this distinctive changeover has established a delicate blend that has made it possible for the Island to retain much of its natural beauty and character.
While the Isle of Wight shoreline is home to some of the most incredible beaches in England, the cliffs above get you in close proximity to mother nature and wildlife you won’t see any place else in the mainland. The isle’s signature Needles can be seen as you take breathtaking clifftop walks along the southern end of this compact, diamond-shaped island. On the northside, you would run into creeks and estuaries which are home to an abundant variety of bird species. Newtown Creek, for instance, may be explored anytime of the year and you will not be disappointed by the huge selection of amazing species that you can be lucky enough to come upon. No matter what your height of interest as a watcher, you will find an almost boundless variety of different places to discover.
The time of the year will make a big difference to what you see and where you should go. The spring months might find most of the birds nesting, and the dirt routes leading to some estuaries can be more of a challenge to explore during the colder months.
However, if you possibly can brave the mud and step out into the cold then you can be at an edge over summer visitors as some of the wetland species are winter visitors, such as the Great Crested Grebe and Golden Plover.
Each environment is home to a different group of birds and these contain some rarities as well as the vast majority of those species more prevalent on the mainland. You’ll just have to decide what you would like to see as each area comes with its own distinct and interesting character.
Top up your great Isle of Wight bird encounter at one of the most interesting and budget friendly places you can stay – Gothic View. This Isle Of Wight bed and breakfast is situated in the picturesque and provincial countryside but is ideally within reach of some of the best tourist spots and shorelines in this unique holiday island getaway.