FEATURE
Estuary birds The beautiful Medina Estuary’s mudflats, saltmarsh and surrounding lands are home to some of Europe’s rarest and most vulnerable migratory birds, along with many resident species. Here’s a guide to just a few of the water birds you could spot in this area. Illustrations by Alan Rowe, potting-shed-cartoons LAPWING
RINGED PLOVER Small wading bird with smart black and white head and breast. Feeds in groups, often with the Dunlin flock.
Black and white plumage shows green in bright sunlight. Has an impressive crest and distinctive call ‘pee-oo-wit’.
BRENT GOOSE Compact, black and white goose. Feeds on green algae. Has an evocative call.
SANDWICH TERN Elegant summer visitor. Feeds by diving in search of fish.
OYSTERCATCHER Black and white wader. Bright orange legs and bill. Distinctive single note call when in flight.
CURLEW White rumped brown wader with long, down-curved bill. Has distinctive ‘cur-lew’ call.
LITTLE EGRET An all white member of the heron family with bright yellow feet that feeds along the water’s edge at all states of tide.
DUNLIN
Small wader. Feeds in flocks at water’s edge. Rests in closelypacked groups on pontoons WIGEON
Dabbling duck feeds on water’s surface. Smaller and more slender than a mallard. ‘Whee-oo’ call.
Resident waterbirds JAN
FEB
MAR
Summer visitors APR
M AY
Waterbirds on passage JUNE
JULY
AUG
Waterbirds overwintering SEPT
OCT
NOV
DEC
The Solent is a very special place, with many wonders hidden just beneath its surface. Visit the shore at low water and you may find elusive hermit crabs and colourful sea anemones. Further out, seagrass meadows shelter amazing species like cuttlefish, seahorses, and rays. You could even spot grey seals hunting for fish, or common dolphins riding the wakes of boats.
Hermit crab in seagrass © Paul Naylor
Our marine wildlife really is wonderful, and part of what makes our coast so special. You can help keep it that way by volunteering or making small changes in your everyday life. For ways to get involved, visit: hiwwt.org.uk/WilderSolent cowesharbourcommission.co.uk
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