At this time of year, many migratory birds are passing through the Solent, using our coastline like a service station to rest and refuel during long journeys south. These temporary visitors are known as passage migrants.
At the end of summer, you might notice something rather strange at your local duck pond. The brightly coloured males seem to disappear, leaving only females behind. So where have they gone? The answer is that they haven’t vanished at all. Instead, the male ducks are undergoing a remarkable change known as an eclipse plumage.
At first glance, black-headed gulls and Mediterranean gulls can look remarkably similar, especially when both are sporting their breeding plumage. But look a little closer and there are a few tell-tale features that make separating them much easier.
As temperatures soar, coastal birds face the same challenge we do – finding ways to beat the heat. Fortunately, they have ingenious ways to help them stay cool during the hottest days of summer.
The Bird Aware Solent team and board members recently enjoyed a fantastic visit to Lymington–Keyhaven Nature Reserve, with a refreshing sea breeze providing welcome relief from the summer heat. Find out what birds and chicks we spotted.
Most of our coastal birds nest out in the open, directly on the ground, relying on camouflage and highly alert parents to protect nests from danger. The good news is that we can all help give them the best chance of success.
To mark Mental Health Awareness Week, our new Watersports Industry Outreach Ranger, Sophie, shares some thoughts on the connection between coastal environments and wellbeing.
With more than 400 entries showcasing the beauty, drama and character of the Solent’s wildlife, our judging panel had an inspiring (and at times very challenging) task on their hands. Find out more about the winners and finalists.
If you’re just starting out on your birdwatching journey, there’s no better place to begin than a bird hide. Here’s our guide to some of the best hides and viewpoints across the region.
If you’re out exploring the shoreline, here are some of the seasonal signs that reveal how the coast is changing at this time of year.
The second instalment in Alana’s breeding‑season guide, this time focusing on another group of long‑distance travellers that arrive on our coastline – the terns that return each year from Africa to breed.
Read Alana’s breeding season primer to the gulls you’re most likely to see nesting on our shores in the spring and summer.
Wildlife photographer Steve Laycock explores what responsible photography looks like in practice and offers some helpful tips to keep animal welfare at the heart of all of our photos.
What looks like enthusiastic feeding or gentle preening from a distance is, in reality, a finely tuned sequence of physical and behavioural changes. These birds are getting ready for one of the most demanding journeys in the natural world.
The Solent may look like a calm stretch of water between Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, but for birds it’s a haven away from the harsh winters of the Arctic, a crossroads for global migration, a nursery for summer breeders, and a year‑round home for resident species.
This year’s Bird Aware Solent photo competition once again includes a special prize for images taken on a mobile phone. So what simple techniques can help us get the best from the camera built into our phones?
January, believe it or not, is one of the best times to get into birdwatching. It brings thousands of wintering birds to the Solent, transforming the coastline into a lively feeding ground.
To inspire your own Big Garden Birdwatch, Ranger Tony has shared the 15 species he sees most often in his garden – and they’re all birds you might spot too.
