Bird Trends
A number of birds in Chichester Harbour occur in nationally or internationally important quantities. To reach the nationally important level 1% or more of the estimated British population must migrate through and/or winter in the harbour. International importance means that 1% or more of the individuals in a population of one species (or subspecies) of waterbird must occur.
Graphs summarising data from recent bird counts of selected species of wildfowl and waders can be downloaded as pdf files. The graphs are of species that are regularly seen in Chichester Harbour in the autumn and winter.
The wildfowl generally occur only in winter, but large numbers of waders can be seen in the harbour on passage. The graphs for waders which reach internationally or nationally important levels show the figures for wintering and passage periods. For this purpose the ‘passage’ months are July to October, and ‘wintering’ is November to March.
For wildfowl this is the northwest European population; for waders it is the east Atlantic flyway population. These levels are calculated by an international team of scientists. The high numbers of birds in the harbour has led to its designation as a Special Protection Area and as a Ramsar site.
If you are interested in more detailed information please contact the Conservation Officer in the first instance.
Graphs by Species
- Brent goose
- Shelduck
- Wigeon
- Teal
- Red-breasted Merganser
- Oystercatcher
- Ringed Plover
- Grey Plover
- Sanderling
- Dunlin
- Black-tailed Godwit
- Bartailed Godwit
- Curlew
- Redshank
- Greenshank
- Turnstone
