Haven for wildlife
Red Squirrels
The Isle of Wight is home to several endanged species, and is particularly well known for it's population of Red Squirrels. To catch a glimpse of one the best place to go is Alverstone Nature Reserve (just a short walk from Brading!) but you might be lucky on one of the many footpaths and bridal ways which criss-cross the Island.
You can read more about the Red Squirrel of the Isle of Wight on the Wight Squirrel Project website:
http://www.wightsquirrels.co.uk/Red-squirrel-facts.html
Where to see Red Squirrels
The following info is from the Isle of Wight Tourist Board:
- The Garlic Farm - turn left off the trail at Landbridge, Newchurch, bringing you to the famous Isle of Wight "Garlic Farm", surrounded by fields filled with a variety of wildlife. Click for more info.
- Pedallers Café & Rosemary Cottage - Pedallers is the only café located directly on the Red Squirrel Trail. Popular with visitors and locals, it makes the perfect pit-stop during your cycling adventure! Rosemary Cottage is a wonderful place to stay and being situated on the route makes it the ideal stopover so you can get up and on your bike nice and early.
- Alverstone Mead Nature Reserve - turn left off the trail at Alverstone and the entrance to the reserve is 50 metres along the road. There is a bird / red squirrel viewing hide located here. Click for more info.
- Shanklin Chine - head to Shanklin Old Village where you will find the entrance to the Island's oldest attraction, Shanklin Chine. You will discover loads of different wildlife in the Chine as you descend through the glorious green to the seafront. Click for more info.
Ref: https://www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/things-to-do/cycling/more-routes-to-try/red-squirrel-trail
Other wildlife
We've got White-Tailed Eagles, Glanville Fritillary butterflies and just recently welcomed some wild ponys to the Island.. some people say there is even a species of Big Cat living wild on the Island! We'll leave you to make your own minds up on that one!
For information about Island Birds click here:
https://www.themothhouse.org/visitor-information/bird-watching
You can read more about the Isle of Wight's wildlife and unique microclimate on the following links:
https://www.wildonwight.co.uk/
https://iwnhas.org/recording/iwatch-wildlife/
https://bimblebee.com/isle-of-wight-nature-watching.php
https://www.wanderlust.co.uk/content/wildlife-species-to-see-on-isle-of-wight/
Wildlife and Animal Visitor Attractions
If tracking down and spotting creatures in the wild seems a bit too taxing, why not take advantage of one of the many attractions featuring animals that the Isle of Wight has to offer?
Isle of Wight Animals and Wildlife Attractions