Get ready for this year’s Great Coastal Birdwatch
29 September 2022
Bird Aware Solent is inviting people to get involved in the Great Coastal Birdwatch 2022, which takes place this half-term from 22 to 30 October.
Now in its fourth year, the project gives Bird Aware valuable data on birds that spend the winter on the Solent. It also helps to raise awareness of the wealth of wildlife on our doorstep.
Councillor Seán Woodward, Chairman of the Partnership for South Hampshire, the body that oversees Bird Aware, said: ‘The Great Coastal Birdwatch is a fantastic way to get young people enthusiastic about local wildlife. And by increasing people’s awareness of our coastal birds, we can help ensure they thrive in the future’.
Bird Aware asks people to spend up to an hour during the week-long event counting the birds they see on the coastline. It’s free to take part with an information pack available to download from Bird Aware’s website.
The birdwatch is timed to coincide with the arrival of migratory birds which return every winter to the area.
In previous years, data has been provided by experienced wildlife observers as well as people trying birdwatching for the first time. Last year a total of 83 species were seen by members of the public taking part.
Bird Aware is asking people to report their findings through its website and is also encouraging people to avoid disturbing wildlife during their birdwatching stint.
Bird Aware Solent works on coastlines around the New Forest, Southampton Water, Portsmouth, Chichester and Langstone Harbours and the northern coast of the Isle of Wight. It is formed of a partnership of 19 different local authorities and wildlife organisations.
