Isle of Wight wildlife to look out for this autumn and winter

The Isle of Wight is a perfect place to visit in the cooler months. A visit to one of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust’s nature reserves is perfect for getting back to nature and spotting some of the island’s fabulous wildlife.

As the trees lose their leaves, lots of wildlife becomes more visible. Birds like bullfinches stand out amongst the bare branches, try Bouldnor Forest Nature Reserve for them, and you might catch a glimpse of a red squirrel leaping between the pines. This coastal woodland stretches right down to the historic coast, making it the perfect spot for beachcombing – you might pick up a fossil in your finds!

In the evenings, bats will be busy foraging, getting ready for their winter hibernation. Eaglehead and Bloodstone Copse Nature Reserve is an excellent viewpoint for this – follow the footpath up the hill and watch them swoop and flit over the treetops. In the day, this patch is home to butterflies, feeding on the last of the summer’s nectar. Some like the peacock or small tortoiseshell will also be getting ready to hibernate in the cold months.

Autumn is also a time of change, as migrant birds head south to their wintering grounds. At Knighton Down Nature Reserve, you might spot the crimson dart of a redstart passing through or the white rump of a wheatear. This grass downland is a good location to look out for birds of prey, with buzzards and kestrels regularly spotted and listen for the croaky caw of a raven overhead.

At the wetland site of Sandown Meadows Nature Reserve, you might see signs of water voles feeding on the banks or even hear the plop as they drop down into the water. Waterbirds are present here all year, but in autumn they particularly stand out against the reeds. Coot, moorhen and heron all pick their way through the shallows, and the electric blue flash gives away the kingfishers on the hunt for fish in the streams.

For more information about the nature reserves and where to find them on the island visit the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust website.