Passing through: unfamiliar faces to spot around the Solent this autumn
Every autumn, thousands of coastal birds arrive in the Solent to spend the colder months here. Many others are just passing through, using our coastline like a service station as they pause to rest and refuel during long journeys south.
These temporary visitors are known as passage migrants. Some may stay for only a few days, while others remain longer before continuing south to destinations as far as Africa. It’s a great time of year to look out for some unfamiliar faces when you’re out and about along the coast.
At this time of year, opportunities to feed and rest are especially important for migrating birds. Disturbance can use up valuable energy reserves needed for the next stage of their journey. By giving birds plenty of space, we can help them refuel properly and continue their journeys in the best possible condition.
From birds of prey to long-distance waders, here are seven migrants to look out for along the Solent this autumn.
Osprey – the expert fisher
One of the Solent’s most impressive autumn visitors, the osprey stops off to feed before continuing its journey to West Africa.
While many of the ospreys seen in the Solent are passing through on migration, you might spot a bird that’s part of the successful Poole Harbour Osprey Project, which has re-established a breeding population on the south coast. Like other British ospreys, these birds migrate to West Africa for the winter before returning to breed each spring.
Look out for their distinctive dark eye stripe, long angled wings and spectacular plunging dives.
Best spotted in August and September around Newtown Harbour, Langstone Harbour and Southampton Water.
Curlew sandpiper – the Arctic wader
Breeding in Arctic Siberia and spending the winter in West Africa, curlew sandpipers stop off in the Solent to refuel during an epic migration journey.
Slightly more elegant than the familiar dunlin, they have a longer neck and a distinctive down-curved bill. Their white rump is often the easiest clue when they take flight.
Most likely to be seen from July to October.
Whimbrel – the curlew’s smaller cousin
Smaller than a curlew, often sporting a more distinctive eye stripe and a less evenly curved bill, whimbrels pass through the Solent on their way between Arctic breeding grounds and Africa.
They can often be found feeding on estuaries and mudflats, probing the mud for crabs, worms and other invertebrates.
Look for them during late summer around Langstone Harbour and Southampton Water. Listen out for their distinctive seven note call.
Wheatear – the coastal lookout
These smart little birds often perch on fence posts, rocks and sea walls, scanning for insects.
Their bright white rump makes them surprisingly easy to identify, and some wheatears breeding in Greenland can fly around 2,400km non-stop across the North Atlantic before continuing south to Africa.
Most common during August and September.
Yellow wagtail – a flash of colour
With bright yellow underparts and a constantly wagging tail, yellow wagtails are among the most colourful migrants to visit the Solent.
Many spend the breeding season in the UK and northern Europe before heading south to sub-Saharan Africa for the winter.
Look for them around wet grasslands and grazing marshes, particularly at sites such as Farlington Marshes, Titchfield Haven and Keyhaven Marshes.
Common sandpiper – the shoreline bobber
Often spotted alone along muddy edges and tidal creeks, common sandpipers are famous for their constant bobbing movement and rapid, flickering flight.
Many of the birds passing through the Solent have finished breeding further north and are now making their way towards Africa.
Typically seen between August and October.
Wood sandpiper – a rarer visitor
Less common than the other species on this list, wood sandpipers are always a rewarding find.
These elegant waders have long yellow-green legs, a boldly marked white eye stripe and a finely spotted brown back. They favour shallow pools and muddy wetland edges, making reserves such as Farlington Marshes and Lymington-Keyhaven good places to search.
Best looked for from July to October.
