Bird Aware Solent is inviting anyone who lives near the coast to take part in this year’s Great Coastal Birdwatch, running from Saturday 18 October to Sunday 2 November.
Now in its seventh year, the event celebrates the spectacular arrival of thousands of migratory birds that spend the colder months along the Solent’s shores. From Arctic Siberia to Greenland and Canada, these birds travel vast distances to reach the region’s rich mudflats and saltmarshes.
Taking part is simple – anyone visiting the coast during the two-week event can join in by recording how many different bird species they spot in up to an hour. They can then share what they saw with Bird Aware on its website.
Bird Aware ranger Eloise Mott said: “Watching thousands of birds arrive on our shores each autumn is truly breathtaking. These migrations are not only a wonder of nature – they’re a reminder of how important this area is for wildlife.”
“By sharing migratory birds’ stories, we hope people will feel inspired to look out for them and give them space to rest and feed undisturbed.”
Last year around 100 different species were recorded – including ospreys and several red-listed species such as dunlins, black-tailed godwits and lapwings.
To mark the occasion, Bird Aware is hosting free events across the region, including guided birdwatching walks in Lymington, Fareham and the Isle of Wight, as well as pop-up activities along the coastline.
Bird Aware is also helping to host a special open day at Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve on Saturday 25 October From 10am to 3pm, visitors can enjoy free entry to the reserve, along with a range of free activities for adults and children.