Medina – tidal part of the River Medina between Newport and Cowes
The tidal part of the River Medina runs North to South between Cowes and Newport. The estuary provides feeding areas for wildfowl and waders, with adjoining areas offering a range of additional habitats.
Access, parking and amenities
The west side is readily viewable from the Newport – Cowes cycle-track, and branching footpaths therefrom. Access points are Newport Quay, Dodnor Lane, Stag Lane and West Cowes. The east bank has a footpath running from Newport Quay to The Folly Inn, with access points at Newport Quay, East Medina Marina and Folly Lane. Amenities are very limited and generally only found at East Cowes, West Cowes, Newport and The Folly Inn.
The river mouth is accessible at West Cowes and East Cowes esplanade.
What to look out for - Calendar
Spring (March - June)
In addition to lingering winter visitors (q.v.) the estuary attracts occasional passage waders (e.g. whimbrel) during the spring. The reedbeds and associated habitats at the millpond at Dodnor typically host Cetti’s warbler, (which are resident), and breeding reed and sedge warblers.
Autumn (July - mid November)
Passage waders return from late July, mostly of the wintering species, with wildfowl returning from September. During the Autumn passage period, visible migration of hirundines, pipits and wagtails can be prominent, with redstart, whinchat, warblers and other small migrants frequenting the riverside fields. The estuary mouth watch points off Egypt Point (West Cowes) and East Cowes Esplanade can be good for migrating terns under suitable conditions.
Winter (mid November - February)
The site hosts regular flocks of dark-bellied brent goose, wigeon, teal and shelduck, occasionally augmented with scarcer species such as pintail. Goldeneye are present in some winters. Wintering Waders include numbers of curlew, redshank, black-tailed godwit, oystercatcher and ringed plover. These flocks regularly attract peregrines. Kingfisher is regular and the riverside marsh at Werrar is one of the most reliable locations on the island to see jack snipe. In recent years small numbers of purple sandpiper have been regular at East Cowes esplanade.
Rarities
The site is relatively under-watched but, despite this, has produced a good list of scarcer species and rarities over the years including white-fronted goose, scaup, smew, ruddy duck, greater yellowlegs (overwintered in 2015-2016), shore lark, great grey shrike (has wintered) and bluethroat.
Images
Greater yellowlegs. © Andy Butler
Kingfisher. © Tracey Jolliffe
Peregrine. © Tracey Jolliffe
Useful links and further reading
View the current weather forecast for Medina