By Isle of Wight Observer
Hampshire & IW Wildlife Trust is urging the public to give migratory birds more space along the coast this winter. The birds arrive on the Island after long-distance journeys and need undisturbed time to feed and rest. Disturbance during this period pose serious risks.
Thousands of over-wintering birds, including dark-bellied brent geese and black-tailed godwits, rely on the Solent’s marshes, estuaries, mudflats and saltmarshes to rebuild strength, replenish energy, and restore the gut microbes needed after migration.
The Trust is asking people to avoid activities that cause birds to move or take flight, such as getting too close, letting dogs off leads, making loud noises or being present near feeding and roosting areas. Research shows that just ten interruptions a day can push birds into an energy deficit.
Tracé Cooper-Williams, senior nature recovery manager, said migration is “a costly exercise” due to temporary gut atrophy, where birds shrink their gut before long flights to make themselves lighter. On arrival, many weigh only half of their pre-flight weight and need uninterrupted time to rest and feed to rebuild.
She said: “If a bird is reacting to your presence, you are too close. By giving space, you are reducing the risk of a flight reaction, saving the bird precious energy stores.”
Richie Ainger, senior ranger at Bird Aware Solent, said brent geese travel more than 2,500 miles from Arctic Siberia and arrive “exhausted and hungry”.
The Trust is also seeking volunteers to support surveys and engagement work. More information is available at iw.observer/volunteer-wildlife.
