Chichester Harbour is home to the largest population of seals in the Solent. In fact, we have two species – Harbour Seals and Grey Seals. They come to rest on the mudflats at low tide; this time is essential to their health. They can’t digest food whilst in the water, and the “haul out” is […]
How farming cluster groups can unlock landscape-scale nature recovery whilst growing sustainable food. It all started with the Grey Partridge… So says Andrew Gentle of Hale Farm when asked about the formation of the Manhood Farming Cluster. They’re an iconic bird for farmers, a classic farmland breeding species. Forget pear trees, Grey Partridges breed and […]
This week the Chichester Harbour Trust announced the successful completion of the Fields of Dreams appeal, raising over £525,000 to protect two special sites within the Chichester Harbour National Landscape. The two sites are at Chidham and Birdham, and purchase by the Trust ensures their permanent protection for the benefit of nature and the environment, […]
Improvement works are now underway at Itchenor Jetty. The project will extend the western end of the jetty, helping us meet increasing demand for visitor berthing while enhancing facilities for those who use the harbour throughout the year. What to expect The majority of the work will be carried out on the western end of […]
Each year we host a few students for work experience. Last week we were joined by Emma, a year 10 student from Emsworth. She has written a blog about her week, read on to find out more… I have been doing work experience for Chichester Harbour Conservancy for the past week and I have had […]
There’s a new way to get around from Itchenor – App-Bikes! The easy-to-use hire bikes have been installed outside the Harbour Office and are a great way to explore the local area. Hiring a bike from the stand is straightforward. Download the App-Bike app on to your mobile phone and follow the prompts. The app […]
Each June and September, you may spot a team donned in waders and drysuits, waist-deep on the edge of Chichester Harbour, wrangling an enormous fishing net. But what are they doing? Every year, staff from Chichester Harbour Conservancy work with partners from the Solent Seascape Project, University of Portsmouth and Sussex Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authority […]
Chichester Harbour is full of surprises, perhaps chief amongst them is the fact that we are home to the largest seal population in the Solent. You may have been lucky enough to spot one, bobbing in the water or resting on the mud flats at low tide. Grey or Harbour? Whilst they may look the […]
At the end of May senior leaders from influential organisations met at the Chichester Harbour Action Summit to progress actions to reverse the degraded water quality of Chichester Harbour. The meeting was chaired by Matt Briers CBE, CEO of Chichester Harbour Conservancy and attended by Jess Brown-Fuller, MP for Chichester. Senior leaders and representatives from […]
Since 2019 Chichester Harbour Conservancy has deployed shingle-covered rafts as nesting habitat for Common Terns. The rafts were put out in May and immediately colonised by Common Terns and Black-headed Gulls; by now there should be several chicks. However, despite several years of breeding success, this year the colony is experiencing predation by a Buzzard […]
This week the High Sheriff of Hampshire, William Maltby, saw first-hand the important work carried out at Chichester Harbour Conservancy. Chichester Harbour is a precious natural resource to Hampshire residents, both locals and further afield who come to enjoy the many opportunities for wellbeing and recreation. The High Sheriff was struck by the breadth and scale […]
260 volunteers this week prepared 20,000 native oysters for deployment onto a newly built reef in Chichester Harbour, as part of the UK’s largest subtidal oyster reef restoration project. Major marine restoration effort The large-scale effort forms part of the Solent Seascape Project, a major marine restoration initiative led by ocean conservation charity Blue Marine […]