We recently ran 'Naturespot' an activity at the Fort Victoria Foray where visitors to the event were encouraged to explore the Naturetrail around the Country Park, observe and photograph wildlife and report findings back to the Naturespot team, who ran the Island’s first BioBlitz event at Go Wild in the Woods in June earlier this year.

Read the full story in the events section of the blog.

The Isle of Wight Biodiversity Partnership have supported a special Wildlife Award category in this year’s Wight in Bloom competition as part of the International Year of Biodiversity celebrations happening across the globe throughout 2010.

Gold, silver and bronze wildlife awards were presented to the three best wildlife friendly gardens in the competition at the ceremony last month at the Riverside Centre.

Visit our events page to read the fullstory.

Two local biodiversity news items have hit the headlines this week...

Rare butterfly begins to flourish - Amid fears of extinction on the Isle of Wight in 2010, the pearl-bordered fritillary, one of the UK’s rarest woodland butterflies, has survived against the odds to take advantage of the Forestry Commission’s extensive programme of habitat management at Parkhurst Forest, near Newport. Click here to read the full story.

Survey on rare seaweed - A National survey of a rare seaweed is being organised from its Island stronghold. The survey of the distinctive peacock's tail seaweed (Padina pavonica) is being led by the Medina Valley Centre for Environmental and Outdoor Education at Newport.It hopes to establish the current status of the alga, which has a distinctive shape, colour and frond pattern and is easily identified on the shore. Click here to read the full story.

At this year's Fort Victoria Foray - Thursday 19th August we'll need your help with the new Naturespot activity as we attempt to record all the species that we encounter on the day.

There's a new nature trail sheet for you to follow which will help you identify wildlife which you might see as you explore the woodland and the beach of the Country Park.

We will have experts on hand to help identify some of the more difficult or unusual creatures we come across, plus we hope to run a live feed online via www.ispot.org.uk and www.facebook.com/wildonwight throughout the day.

At a similar event called 'Go Wild in the Woods' held in Firestone Copse in June, a massive 447 species were recorded including a brand new species for the Island - so fingers crossed!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Come along and join in a day of fun, free wildlife activities as we celebrate the Island's coast and countryside at the annual Fort Victoria Foray.

Amongst the activities this year are fossil hunting, rock pooling, wildlife gardening and willow weaving. There will also be walks in the woods and on the beach where we need you to help record all wildlife that you encounter for the naturespot activity.

So please bringing your own digital camera or camera phone so you can show us what you've spotted on the day!

The event runs from 10.30am - 4.30pm and is free. There is an overflow car park available and a free shuttle bus will also be provided from Gas Works Lane near Yarmouth Road bridge.

Further information about the day can be obtained by contacting Richard Temple at IW Council Parks and Countryside by calling (01983) 823893 or by emailing richard.temple@iow.gov.uk.

The Isle of Wight Biodiversity Partnership now have a Facebook page so why not become our 'friend'?

www.facebook.com/wildonwight

We'll be posting updates, stories, news of events and images on the site plus on Thursday 19th August we'll be attempting a live feed at the Fort Victoria Foray where we are asking the public to help us record all the wildlife encountered on the day!