If you’re out on our beautiful coastline this autumn, here are some of the birds you’re likely to spot, based on the results of last year’s Great Coastal Birdwatch.
The annual birdwatching event, taking place this year between 18 October and 2 November, is a celebration of the arrival of tens of thousands of migratory birds. They find a haven here for the winter months among our nutrient-rich mudflats and saltmarshes.
By taking part in this year’s birdwatch, you’ll help to build a clearer picture of which birds successfully made their epic migrations to our shoreline.
Here’s eight of the birds you’re likely to spot, based on last year’s results:
Dark-bellied brent geese
Last year’s most spotted species, dark-bellied brent geese are one of the Solent’s most iconic winter visitors. Will they top the charts again in 2025?
Travelling 3,000 miles from Siberia, they arrive in family groups and feed on eelgrass and other vegetation along the coast.
Around 10% of the global population spends the winter here – a reminder of how important our coastline is for wildlife.
Black-headed gulls
Year-round residents, black-headed gulls were the second most seen in last year’s birdwatch.
Despite their name, their heads are white in winter, marked only by a dark ear spot – in summer you’ll have seen them with chocolate brown heads.
Wigeons
The third most seen species, wigeon ducks migrate from Iceland, Russia and Ukraine. Thousands were spotted in last year’s Great Coastal Birdwatch making them one of the most numerous ducks on the Solent in autumn, despite being amber-listed for conservation concern.
Their whistling calls and striking chestnut heads with a creamy ‘mohawk’ head stripe make them a favourite among the Bird Aware team.
Oystercatchers
With their bold black-and-white plumage and bright orange bills, oystercatchers are hard to miss and were 4th most often seen last year.
Year-round resident numbers are boosted by migrants in the winter from from other UK coastal areas, from Norway and from the Netherlands. They feed on shellfish and are often seen probing the mudflats or flying in noisy flocks.
Black-tailed godwits
These elegant waders made it into the top ten most often seen species in last year’s birdwatch, despite being red-listed for conservation concern.
Black-tailed godwits migrate from Iceland and are known for their long legs and straight bills and are often seen feeding in shallow waters and saltmarshes.
Dunlins
Another red-listed bird, dunlins are small wading birds that arrive from Scandinavia and Russia.
In last year’s Great Coastal Birdwatch they narrowly beat redshanks to take the number 7 slot.
They often gather in flocks and can be tricky to spot due to their size and speed.
Other birds to look for
Little egrets were seen by almost three-quarters of those who took part in last year’s Great Coastal Birdwatch – a higher proportion than any other species.
With their bright white plumage, these elegant white birds with black legs and yellow feet are easy to spot, but since they don’t gather in large flocks like other geese and wading birds, they didn’t total such large numbers as other species in last year’s Great Coastal Birdwatch.
Similarly while most people ticked cormorant off their list, the species didn’t score huge numbers overall, since cormorants don’t gather in large groups.
Their dark and distinctive silhouettes – often seen drying their wings on posts or rocks – make them easy to identify.
Will you spot cormorants in your Great Coastal Birdwatch this year?
How to get involved in this year’s Great Coastal Birdwatch
The Great Coastal Birdwatch runs from Saturday 18 October to Sunday 2 November 2025. To join in:
- Pick a coastal spot and spend up to an hour birdwatching
- Make a note of the species you see
- Submit your sightings via the link in our website.
We can help our coastal birds by giving them plenty of space so they’re not disturbed. Migratory birds arrive tired and hungry and need to rest and refuel to survive the winter and be fit enough for the return journey back to their summer breeding grounds in the spring.
Whether you’re a seasoned birder or have just got started on your birdwatching journey, the Great Coastal Birdwatch is a brilliant way to connect with nature and contribute to our understanding of the birds along our coastline.
