The Solent coastline is one of Britain’s most distinctive coastal landscapes, shaped over millennia by fluctuating sea levels and the erosion of its soft geology.
Its dynamic natural history has created a remarkably diverse range of coastal environments, from sandy beaches and sheltered waters to open coastlines, tidal estuaries, and natural harbours.
Our newest ranger, Joe, takes us through just how fantastic the Solent is for watersports, and how we, as users, have the unique opportunity to help wildlife thrive whilst enjoying the coastline.
Thanks to the protection offered by the Isle of Wight, the Solent enjoys shelter from Atlantic swells while still benefiting from consistent wind conditions, which makes it an ideal spot for watersports enthusiasts of all kinds.
Many of the same natural processes that have created these exceptional watersports conditions, such as tidal movement, sediment deposition, and coastal erosion, have also given rise to a mosaic of unique and valuable habitats across the Solent, including saltmarshes, mudflats, and shingle beaches.
Bird Aware’s interactive watersports map now covers the entire Solent coastline
These habitats are especially important for birdlife, providing essential feeding, roosting, and nesting grounds throughout the year.
Golden plovers resting on salt marshes
Some birds are year-round residents, while others travel thousands of miles from as far afield as Russia, Iceland, Greenland, Canada, and Africa, either to breed in the summer or to overwinter in the milder conditions of the Solent.
As water users, we’re lucky to witness this incredible birdlife from a unique perspective on the water.
But with that privilege comes responsibility, our presence on the water can unintentionally disturb birds that have evolved to perceive us as a threat.
Oystercatchers landing on salt marsh
Redshanks feeding on mudflats
How birds respond to disturbance
Birds often show a sequence of behaviours when disturbed by human activity:
- Stop feeding – the bird pauses its natural behaviour.
- Alert posture – it becomes vigilant, standing upright and scanning its surroundings.
- Alarm calls – vocal warnings to alert nearby birds.
- Flushing – the bird takes flight to escape the perceived threat.
How you can help
The good news is that there are simple steps we can all take when on the water to reduce our impact:
- Plan ahead - Choose responsible launch sites and routes that avoid sensitive habitats. This can easily be done by consulting our interactive map. All of our handpicked entry and exit points are selected for their ease of access, proximity to car parks, public toilets and minimal impact on wildlife.
- Launch and land carefully - Avoid dragging equipment across the shore. By carrying kit, we can help protect both sensitive habitat and our gear. Alternatively for large kayaks and other craft too heavy to carry, consider using equipment trolleys to minimise damage.
Bird Aware Solent’s interactive watersports map shows the best places to launch and exit the water
- Give birds space - Keep a respectful distance and if you see a bird exhibiting signs of disturbance then give it some more space. If a bird has already flushed then move away from the area to give it the opportunity to return.
- Keep noise low – Use a low paddle angle when kayaking or paddleboarding to reduce splashing.
- Be mindful with wind sports - Avoid flying kites, sails, or wings too close to important bird habitats. Birds can be especially sensitive to the movement and sound of wind sport equipment which may resemble predators.
- Move gently - Avoid sudden movements or changes in direction near birds.
By staying aware and making small changes to how we enjoy the water, we can help protect the Solent’s incredible birdlife, ensuring it thrives for generations to come.
