The Great Solent Birdwatch is our annual wildlife event focusing on coastal bird species around Hampshire, Chichester Harbour and the Isle of Wight. It is a citizen science project that aims to raise awareness of the incredible range of overwintering birds that visit the Solent each year.
During the week participants do their own survey by spending up to an hour recording the different birds they spot in their chosen location around the Solent coast. They then submit the results to us which contributes to our data set.
Thank you to everyone who took part in this project.
A total of 9,070 birds were counted.
A total of 83 bird species were spotted.
Top 10 coastal birds spotted
| Top ten coastal birds | Numbers | Conservation status | |
| 1. | Dark-bellied brent goose | 2,092 | Amber |
| 2. | Black-headed gull | 1,418 | Amber |
| 3. | Oystercatcher | 1,070 | Amber |
| 4. | Wigeon | 555 | Amber |
| 5. | Dunlin | 535 | Red |
| 6. | Canada goose | 324 | None |
| 7. | Black-tailed godwit | 254 | Red |
| 8. | Turnstone | 237 | Amber |
| 9. | Redshank | 235 | Amber |
| 10. | Golden plover | 110 | Green |
Top 10 coastal birds spotted
Top 5 Ducks
Top 5 wading birds
Top 5 gulls
Find out about the winners of the Great Solent Birdwatch photo competition
We hope that people taking part will be inspired to become more aware of the birds that use the Solent area. Our aim is to reduce disturbance from coastal recreation by giving these special birds the space they need to feed and rest.
