Every winter, the UK is visited by thousands of birds during their migration. While this time of year feels very cold and lifeless to us, for birds living north and east of the UK it’s the perfect destination for a seasonal break. In comparison to other countries in the arctic regions, the UK has a milder winter, making it a great area for birds to prepare for the spring breeding season. Many birds also use the UK as a stop‐off to fuel up before migrating even further south to Europe and Africa.

The Solent provides a great habitat for wading birds due to the number of invertebrates and marine plants in its intertidal mudflats. These species are a great source of food which are key to the birds' survival. As a result, the Solent one of the most important places in Western Europe for birds, and much of the area has been designated as RAMSAR sites and Special Protection Areas (SPA). A RAMSAR site is a wetland area that is recognised as being of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, and a SPA is a designation set by the government under the European Union Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds. These designations mean that the sites must be carefully managed in accordance with strict frameworks to conserve them for the future.

While being able to spot birds that we would not usually see in the Solent is great for any bird watcher or wildlife enthusiast, it is vital that they are left undisturbed. Birds are prey animals, and as a result are very sensitive to disturbance - anything they perceive as a threat will distract them from feeding or cause them to fly away. While flying to another area or spending time on alert may seem of little significance to us, for the birds, regular disturbance can be detrimental to their survival.

The key issue with disturbance for wading birds is wasted energy. Waders need to spend as much time as possible feeding and fattening up, but disturbance means the energy from their food is more frequently used up by flying. Stress also has a physical impact, with increased heart rate and body temperature further depleting energy levels. Prolonged and regular disturbance can also lead to birds completely avoiding an area. This increases competition at other feeding sites which means that fewer birds will be able to survive the migration home and breeding season. As many birds as possible must survive the winter and migration and have good energy stores so they can raise healthy chicks. Without the next generation of birds, populations would start to decline.

Luckily, there are several ways we can still enjoy winter walks along the coast without disturbing the birds.

Dogs:

One of the biggest causes of disturbance is dogs. While our four‐legged pals are man’s best friend, to birds they are a huge threat. Dogs may follow their instincts to chase and even kill birds. Bird Aware Solent, an organisation in which the Wildlife Trust is a partner, advises that walkers follow the Coastal Code and keep dogs close (at a heel if well trained or on a lead) around areas with birds. Bird Aware Solent has several guides on dog training to help with safe walking and even recommends specific bird-friendly walks.

Walkers:

Birds can perceive humans as a threat if we get too close. Bird Aware Solent advise that walkers look for key signs that birds have become disturbed our presence. This can include:

1. Getting ready for flight (stretching or flapping wings)
2. Looking towards you
3. Walking, swimming or flying away

If this does happen, it's recommended that you move away from them so they can quickly get back to feeding.

If you're interested in observing birds more closely without causing disturbance, a good option is to visit a nature reserve and use a hide. Nature reserves are located all around Hampshire and the Isle of Wight – a list can be found here. By understanding and respecting our feathered friends, we can help keep them safe for the future.

What can you do?

Many thanks to Millie for sharing her knowledge with us! If you'd like to join her in making a difference for our marine wildlife, visit our Secrets of the Solent project page to find out more. From a two minute beach clean to reporting marine mammal sightings, there are many ways we can all work together for a wilder Solent.