Every autumn, a remarkable transformation takes place around the Solent.
The beaches, mudflats, saltmarshes and grazing marshes that may have seemed relatively quiet over the summer begin to fill with life as thousands of migratory birds return for the winter.
Some have travelled from Iceland, others from Scandinavia, Greenland, Siberia and beyond. Many have flown thousands of miles to reach the rich feeding grounds of our coastline.
These birds arrive here for a simple reason: the Solent provides the food and shelter they need to survive the colder months. After such long journeys, uninterrupted opportunities to rest and refuel are vital.
From chuntering brent geese to busy sanderlings racing along the shoreline, here are eight of the migratory birds that will be spending the winter around the Solent.
Dark-bellied brent geese
For many people, the arrival of dark-bellied brent geese marks the true beginning of autumn on the coast.
These much-loved geese travel around 2,500 miles from Arctic Siberia to reach the Solent. Over the winter, our coastline supports around 10% of the global population, making the area internationally important for the species.
Listen out for their distinctive chuntering calls overhead as more birds continue to arrive throughout the autumn.
Find out more about dark-bellied brent geese.
Wigeon ducks
One of the most recognisable sounds of winter around the Solent is the whistling call of wigeons.
These attractive ducks travel from Russia, Scandinavia and parts of eastern Europe to spend the colder months on the Solent’s mudflats and coastal grasslands. Numbers build steadily through autumn and can reach many thousands across the wider area during winter.
Find out more about wigeons.
Black-tailed godwits
Elegant and long-legged, black-tailed godwits are often among the earliest returning winter visitors.
Almost all of the birds we see along the Solent breed in Iceland before heading south for winter. Thanks to extensive colour-ringing programmes, researchers have built up a fascinating picture of where individual birds travel and spend the winter months.
Find out more about black-tailed godwits.
Turnstones
Turnstones may be small, but they are full of character.
Named for their habit of flipping over stones, seaweed and shells in search of food, these energetic birds travel from breeding grounds in northern Greenland, Canada and Lapland. They can often be found feeding along the rocky shores of the Solent throughout the winter.
Find out more about turnstones.
Sanderlings
These energetic waders are best known for scampering along the shoreline on the hunt for tiny invertebrates, always seeming to stay one step ahead of the waves. Many of the sanderlings visiting the Solent have travelled from breeding grounds in Greenland and the Arctic regions of Siberia.
Find out more about sanderlings.
Grey plovers
Grey plovers migrate from Arctic Siberia to spend the winter on our coastline. You might spot them pausing, scanning the ground and then suddenly darting forward to pick up prey, giving them a distinctive feeding style.
Find out more about grey plovers.
Teals
The UK’s smallest duck is another regular winter visitor to the Solent.
Teals breed across northern Europe and western Russia before heading south as temperatures fall. Although they can sometimes be overlooked among larger ducks, their chestnut heads and flashes of green make them particularly striking when seen well.
Find out more about teals.
Dunlins
Dunlins may be among the smallest birds on this list, but, like the other birds featured here, they travel extraordinary distances to get to our shores.
Birds arriving along the Solent have travelled from breeding grounds across Scandinavia and northern Russia. During winter they often gather in large flocks, wheeling and twisting over the mudflats in dazzling synchrony as they respond to predators and changing tides.
Find out more about dunlins.
Helping migratory birds thrive
After travelling thousands of miles to reach the Solent, these birds need every opportunity to rest and feed successfully.
By looking out for birds and giving them lots of space, keeping dogs alongside and following requests on signs when visiting the coast, we can all help ensure the Solent continues to provide a safe winter home for these incredible travellers.
