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    [name] => The Isle of Wight in Spring
    [code] => GBR46
    [slug] => the-isle-of-wight-in-spring
    [description] => 
The Isle of Wight is England’s largest island. Known as ‘the island’, its southerly location, isolation and geology make it a haven for wildlife, much of which is at the northern limit of its European distribution. The northern part of the island is predominantly formed of impervious clays which give rise to wetlands and marshes such as the island’s only National Nature Reserve at Newtown Marshes, home to a variety of waders and wildfowl. The centre of the island is largely formed of high rolling chalk downlands, whilst the south coast is renowned for its soft sedimentary cliffs. Our visit in late spring is timed to give us the best chance of seeing some of the fascinating wildlife that the island has to offer. From our base in a comfortable hotel, we will enjoy the Isle of Wight’s range of habitats and special species, focusing particularly on the island’s rich flora and, provided we get some sunshine, its butterflies.

Look for the scarce Adonis Blue, plus Small & Common Blues on chalk downlands
Enjoy the island’s rich flora including Early Gentian, a near-endemic British flower
Glanville Fritillary occurs here at the northernmost limit of its range
Look for Green Hairstreak & Wall Brown plus both Dingy & Grizzled Skippers
Clovers, Yellow-horned Poppies, Wild Cabbage & Hoary Stock
Visit to woodlands in search of Hazel Dormouse and the island’s native Red Squirrel
Rare native Narrow-leaved Lungwort, & with luck the parasitic Greater Broomrape
Led by expert naturalist guide

    [introduction] => A 4-day natural history break exploring the fascinating diversity of this scenic island.
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From the rolling heaths and woodlands of the New Forest National Park to the extensive wetlands that line the north Norfolk coastline, the varied habitats and landscapes of the British Isles are home to a wealth of exciting wildlife. It is definitely not essential to go abroad when wildlife holidays in Britain offer such diversity!
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                    [title] => Holiday Details (GBR46)
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The Isle of Wight, known to the ancient Romans as Vectis, is England’s largest island. Although separated from the mainland county of Hampshire by a narrow sea channel known as the Solent, ‘the island’ as it is affectionately known, has an altogether different, gentle pace of life — perfect for a holiday break. Its southerly location, isolation and geology make it a haven for wildlife, much of which is at the northern limit of its European distribution. The northern part of the island is predominantly formed of impervious clays which give rise to wetlands and marshes such as the island’s only National Nature Reserve at Newtown Marshes, home to a variety of waders and wildfowl. The centre of the island is largely formed of high rolling chalk downlands, whilst the south coast is renowned for its soft sedimentary cliffs.
Our visit in late spring is timed to give us the best chance of seeing some of the fascinating wildlife that the island has to offer. The downlands are home to a good variety of butterflies, including the scarce and beautiful Adonis Blue, plus Small and Common Blues, Green Hairstreak and both Dingy and Grizzled Skippers, whilst we may also come across the diminutive Early Gentian, a near-endemic British flower.
On the cliffs and chines of the south coast we will look for the rare and delightful Glanville Fritillary, which occurs here at the northernmost limit of its range. We should also see the Wall Brown, a butterfly that is in dramatic decline on mainland Britain. For those interested in botany, the cliffs and downs offer much to admire, from diminutive clovers to showy Yellow-horned Poppies, Wild Cabbage and mauve Hoary Stock, the latter thought to occur here in one of its few native British sites. The very rare Field Cow-wheat, with its attractive magenta bracts, occurs here on one of Britain's smallest nature reserves. We will also visit the island’s extensive woodlands to look for the native Red Squirrel and will join a guided walk to look for the elusive Hazel Dormouse. The forest rides are also home to the rare native Narrow-leaved Lungwort and, in places, the parasitic Greater Broomrape.
Based in a comfortable and characterful, family-run hotel, we will enjoy these habitats and special species and — provided we get some sunshine — its butterflies.
 
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Based in a comfortable and characterful hotel ovelooking Ventnor Bay, with en-suite rooms, private cliff-top garden and outdoor heated swimming pool.
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Content description
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At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
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A Naturetrek Tailormade holiday allows you, with the benefit of our wildlife travel expertise and destination experience, to enjoy the perfect private wildlife holiday – one that truly matches your requirements, expectations and ambitions. We will ensure the most competitive prices, superb naturalist guides and seamless ground services.
Some of the benefits of Naturetrek Tailormade travel include:
• A bespoke itinerary which is crafted by experts and designed specifically for you
• Private guiding by the very best local naturalists 
• Travel with people you know, at your own pace
• Incorporate as much culture, history or relaxation time as you wish
• Choose dates to suit you
• Select your preferred style of accommodation
• Travel with families and children of any age
Furthermore, our Tailormade team are always on hand to help and guide you along the way, with friendly advice, first-hand knowledge and inside information specific to your destination of choice. So if you have any queries about your holiday, we will be delighted to answer them. Please just give us a call!
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For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
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                    [description] => A 4-day natural history break exploring the fascinating diversity of this scenic island.
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The Isle of Wight in Spring

Tour Code: GBR46

A 4-day natural history break exploring the fascinating diversity of this scenic island.

We hope to run this tour in the future, but have not yet finalised dates and prices. To be added to a waiting list and be informed when details are confirmed, please click on the register interest button, or phone 1-844-433-9473.

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Tour Itinerary and Reports

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1 Itinerary 9 Tour Reports

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Rhiannon O'Neil

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Email Call 1-844-433-9473

Carbon Footprint

89kg CO2e

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Highlights

• Look for the scarce Adonis Blue, plus Small & Common Blues on chalk downlands
• Enjoy the island’s rich flora including Early Gentian, a near-endemic British flower
• Glanville Fritillary occurs here at the northernmost limit of its range
• Look for Green Hairstreak & Wall Brown plus both Dingy & Grizzled Skippers
• Clovers, Yellow-horned Poppies, Wild Cabbage & Hoary Stock
• Visit to woodlands in search of Hazel Dormouse and the island’s native Red Squirrel
• Rare native Narrow-leaved Lungwort, & with luck the parasitic Greater Broomrape
• Led by expert naturalist guide

Summary

The Isle of Wight, known to the ancient Romans as Vectis, is England’s largest island. Although separated from the mainland county of Hampshire by a narrow sea channel known as the Solent, ‘the island’ as it is affectionately known, has an altogether different, gentle pace of life — perfect for a holiday break. Its southerly location, isolation and geology make it a haven for wildlife, much of which is at the northern limit of its European distribution. The northern part of the island is predominantly formed of impervious clays which give rise to wetlands and marshes such as the island’s only National Nature Reserve at Newtown Marshes, home to a variety of waders and wildfowl. The centre of the island is largely formed of high rolling chalk downlands, whilst the south coast is renowned for its soft sedimentary cliffs.

Our visit in late spring is timed to give us the best chance of seeing some of the fascinating wildlife that the island has to offer. The downlands are home to a good variety of butterflies, including the scarce and beautiful Adonis Blue, plus Small and Common Blues, Green Hairstreak and both Dingy and Grizzled Skippers, whilst we may also come across the diminutive Early Gentian, a near-endemic British flower.

On the cliffs and chines of the south coast we will look for the rare and delightful Glanville Fritillary, which occurs here at the northernmost limit of its range. We should also see the Wall Brown, a butterfly that is in dramatic decline on mainland Britain. For those interested in botany, the cliffs and downs offer much to admire, from diminutive clovers to showy Yellow-horned Poppies, Wild Cabbage and mauve Hoary Stock, the latter thought to occur here in one of its few native British sites. The very rare Field Cow-wheat, with its attractive magenta bracts, occurs here on one of Britain's smallest nature reserves. We will also visit the island’s extensive woodlands to look for the native Red Squirrel and will join a guided walk to look for the elusive Hazel Dormouse. The forest rides are also home to the rare native Narrow-leaved Lungwort and, in places, the parasitic Greater Broomrape.

Based in a comfortable and characterful, family-run hotel, we will enjoy these habitats and special species and — provided we get some sunshine — its butterflies.

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Outline Itinerary

Day

1

Meet Southampton for Red Funnel ferry to East Cowes, Isle of Wight; afternoon Newtown Marshes

Day

2

The Needles, Compton Chine, Sandown and Ventnor

Day

3

Brading Marshes

Day

4

Briddlesford Wood & Firestone Copse, Ferry to Southampton

Itinerary Map

What's Included?

Food

Breakfast and dinner at the hotel (lunches not included)

Accommodation

Based in a comfortable and characterful hotel ovelooking Ventnor Bay, with en-suite rooms, private cliff-top garden and outdoor heated swimming pool.

Documents

Itineraries

Itinerary

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Tour Reports

May 2024

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May 2023

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May 2022

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May 2021

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June 2019

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June 2017

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June 2016

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June 2015

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June 2014

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Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

• The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
• Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
• Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!

Why Choose Naturetrek?

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