Great Coastal Birdwatch - Bird Aware Essex

The Great Coastal Birdwatch 2026

Saturday 17th October to Sunday 1st November 2026

Join us across the coast this autumn and help spot the awesome birds that have travelled thousands of miles to spend the winter on the Essex.

We have teamed up with our good friends at Bird Aware Solent, Birdwise North Kent and Wildlife Wise, to celebrate our amazing migratory birds as they return to our coastline for the winter.

By taking part in the Great Coastal Birdwatch you can discover more about the awesome birds that we share our shores with and learn how you can help to protect them and be more bird aware.

How to take Part

If you’re visiting the Essex coastline during the Great Coastal Birdwatch, why not tell us about the birds you see during your visit.

To take part, you’ll need to:

Pick a spot anywhere on the Essex Coastline, between Saturday 17 October to Sunday 1 November.

Spend up to one hour seeing how many different species of birds you can spot. Check out our Meet the birds pages for help in identifying them. You could also download our spotters sheet, to help you keep track of what you see. Or just use a notebook or your phone to keep a running total.

Remember to be ‘bird aware’ and follow the Coastal Code: look out for birds, move away if they become alert, keep dogs alongside you and follow requests on signs.

After you have finished counting, report your sightings to us using our online form or, if you prefer, by emailing us at info.essex@birdaware.org

SUBMIT Your Great Coastal Birdwatch sightings Here:

Submit your bird sightings here

Great Coastal Birdwatch Events

Our rangers will be hosting pop-up events and a number of free guided wildlife walks during this year’s Great Coastal Birdwatch – why not stop by and say hello, see what activities we have on!

Dates and locations:

Saturday 17^th October	10am – 2pm Great Coastal Birdwatch Launch Day: The Walls, Mistley Walls, Manningtree CO11 1AS 11am – 12pm Guided Wildlife Walk: Join Bird Aware Essex and Wildlife Wise for a joined up wildlife walk from Mistley to Cattawade Bridge. meeting at The Walls Rest Area, opposite North House Gallery
Thursday 22^nd October	10am – 2pm Pop-up event: ASDA Shoeburyness, Southend-on-Sea SS3 8DA
Tuesday 27^th October	10am – 2pm Pop-up event: Marsh Farm Country Park Car Park, 1 Marsh Farm Rd, South Woodham Ferrers, CM3 5WP 10am – 11am Guided Wildlife Walk: Meeting at Marsh Farm Country Park Car Park
Wednesday 28^th October	10am – 2pm Pop-up event: Gunners Park, Near the Old Barge Pier 10am – 11am Guided Wildlife Walk: Gunners Park to Shoebury East Beach, Meeting on the sea wall by the Old Barge Pier, Barge Pier Rd, Southend-on-Sea SS3 9FN
Thursday 29^th October	9:30am We are joining Beach School Explorers for a morning of activities – Please contact the Beach School if you would like to join on: 07841 371391 11am – 12pm Guided Wildlife Walk: Irlams Beach, Harwich, meeting at West End Lane Car Park, Harwich CO12 3FA (walk to the smaller car park at the sea front). 12pm – 2pm Pop-up event: Irlams Beach
Friday 30^th October	10am – 2pm Pop-up event: Brightlingsea Promenade 11am – 12pm Guided Wildlife Walk: Brightlingsea, Meeting at Promenade Way Car Park, 35 Promenade Way, Brightlingsea, Colchester CO7 0HH
Saturday 31^st October	10am – 2pm Pop-up event: Burnham-on-Crouch Riverside Promenade 11am – 12pm Guided Wildlife Walk: Burnham-on-Crouch Riverside Walk, Meeting at the south end of Riverside Park (by boat houses), Burnham-on-Crouch CM0 8AS
Sunday 1^st November	10am – 2pm Pop-up event: Promenade Park, Maldon 11am – 12pm Guided Wildlife Walk: Maldon Promenade, Meeting at the Promenade opposite Maldon Splash Park, Park Dr, Maldon CM9 5JQ

Check out our recommendations for keeping warm and safe as well as our extra tips for getting the most out of your coastal birdwatch.

Don’t forget to share your pictures with us on our social media pages @birdawareessex

Great Coastal Birdwatch: Advice for staying safe and healthy

We hope you have fun on your Great Coastal Birdwatch but here’s some information which you might find useful.

Find out more

Great Coastal Birdwatch: further tips and advice

The Great Coastal Birdwatch is a citizen science project that aims to raise awareness of the incredible range of overwintering birds that visit the Essex coast each year.

Find out more