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Tell me about...
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| Naturally Wight |
It's not just for its many cultivated gardens that the Isle of Wight is
famous. More than half the Island landscape is designated as an Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty and there are nature reserves and wildlife
sanctuaries to visit in its forests and wetlands:
Newtown Estuary: The National Nature Reserve at north coast Newtown is a
National Trust treasure with important habitats including mud-flats, salt
marshes, ancient woodlands and meadows. Free to wander, this is a place for
birdwatchers and walkers, keen to spot unusual birds, wildfowl and more than
300 species of wild plants.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/coastline/visit/wildlife.
Brading Marshes: There are views to this RSPB-owned bird sanctuary from a
network of footpaths around Brading and Bembridge but keen walkers can join
the guided Wildlife Walks that take place on selected Sundays (info: 01983
614878).
Forests and Woodland: A walk in Parkhurst Forest or Firestone Copse could
bring you face to face with a red squirrel, a rare sight on the mainland but
alive and kicking on the Isle of Wight. A new Red Squirrel Hide has been
established at Parkhurst with the help of conservation body Island 2000
Trust, providing squirrel safari trails through some of the Island's best
oak and pine trees. At Firestone Copse there's a large area of coppiced
hazel to explore whilst the medieval forest at National Trust Borthwood
Copse boasts fine oak and beech trees, sweet chestnut and hazel. Free to
wander.
Some other wildlife-rich areas to visit include the leafy seaside village of
Bonchurch, near-neighbour to Ventnor, with a village pond, which was once a
quarry but is now a haven for rare dragonflies and butterflies, and the
pretty woodland overlooking the sea at Fort Victoria County Park, near
Yarmouth. |
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