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 […]
If you take to the waters of Chichester Harbour in the summer, you can help our coastal birds breed successfully for future generations to enjoy… Each year, coastal birds including Little Terns, Oystercatchers and Ringed Plover attempt to nest on Chichester Harbour’s shingle spits and islands. There are very few places around the harbour that […]
Chichester Harbour Conservancy recently commissioned a technical report into options for creating a new sustainable future route for Footpath 1 (part of the King Charles III England Coast Path) at Chalkdock Marsh, West Itchenor. The intention is that any such route will initially function as an additional route as well as providing a footpath for […]
Our Education Centre continues to have a positive impact on learning. In the past academic year our Education Team have delivered practical and engaging nature based sessions for more than 9,000 people. During the 2024–25 academic year, 9,281 people took part in educational programmes to better connect them with the natural environment of Chichester Harbour. […]
The seabirds of Chichester Harbour have returned to breed around the harbour, and you can get a unique insight into the lives of Chichester Harbour’s Common Tern population. Tern TV live streams all the action action from one of Chichester Harbour Conservancy’s tern rafts – who needs Netflix?! Common terns fly thousands of miles each […]
Chichester Harbour Conservancy has successfully prosecuted a boat-owner who caused a danger to other water users by contravening local harbour byelaws and navigating without care or caution. On 15 April 2026, Malcolm Oliver pled guilty at court to navigating his vessel without care and caution, in a manner that caused danger to other harbour users, […]
Chichester Harbour Conservancy has been recognised for its outstanding contribution to the local area, receiving a prestigious award from the High Sheriff of West Sussex in acknowledgement of its “dedicated and valuable service to the community on land and at sea.” The award was presented to Chichester Harbour Conservancy CEO Matt Briers and Education Centre […]
Stand on the shoreline and take in the vast views across the waters of Chichester Harbour… The surface shimmers, changing from blue to green to grey. But have you ever wondered, what lies beneath? Environmental DNA analysis Recent “Environmental DNA” water sampling offers us some answers. As fish swim through the water, they leave a DNA signature […]
A guest blog by Alice from Coast and Country Canines about choosing to walk in a safer, more enjoyable and wildlife aware way. As dog owners, we value the natural world – after all, we are the ones out in it every day. Working together to protect natural spaces is just part of being a […]
The King Charles III England Coast Path was officially opened today around the shores of Chichester Harbour. Walkers can now explore 35 miles of Chichester Harbour’s wildlife-rich coastline stretching from South Hayling in Hampshire, to East Head in West Sussex. Combined with neighbouring sections, there are now over 210 continuous miles of coast path between […]