Friends of Chichester Harbour
|
Latest News |
Summer 2009 newsletter now available See the projects for financial year 2008/9 and the latest approved projects Summer Work Party Programme May - July 2009 Guided Walks, Activities and Boat Trips April 2009 - March 2010 programme is available at tourist offices, libraries etc or request one from the Harbour Office. See the wide variety of birds in the harbour, for yourself from guided tours afloat or guided walks ashore. Details on the Harbour Conservancy website You can now buy clothing with the Friends' logo - see Shop June Wildlife and recipe - see below |
Chichester Harbour is uniquely attractive. With the rolling hills of the South Downs as a backdrop, the narrow harbour entrance breaks into four channels spread out like the fingers of a hand. Scattered around the shoreline are seven picturesque, vibrant villages. Its forty-seven miles of shoreline remain remarkably natural and clear of development. It is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Its habitat of estuarine mud, saltmarsh, reed beds, marsh grass and farmland support a large variety of wildlife. Its waters are home to fifty species of fish and marine life.
The harbour has the highest density of wetland birds in the UK.
The distinctly different habitats favour many species of butterflies, moths and insects, some immigrants from more Mediterranean climes. Half of the current list of British Large Moths is found here.
Amongst the mosaic of habitats, enthusiasts can find one of the greatest variety of plant species in a comparable area.
Though protected by National, European and International legislation, pressures on successful survival are ever increasing.
The Friends of Chichester Harbour need a strong membership to help preserve this unique area for future generations.
We are a registered charity, formed in 1987 concerned solely with sustaining and improving the environment of the harbour for the benefit of all users - both people and wildlife.
We support Chichester Harbour Conservancy in various practical ways, and help financially too – giving financial support towards care and improvement of the harbour environment. We are also represented on the Conservancy's advisory governing body.
If you appreciate the pleasures of Chichester Harbour why not join us as a Friend of Chichester Harbour. Our growing membership of over 3,000 people, includes sailors, fishermen, walkers, naturalists, wildfowlers, local residents and visitors and is open to any person interested in the well being of Chichester Harbour.
We need YOU
Awarded Freedom of the Harbour for outstanding conservation work
|
JUNE WILDLIFE |
All year round resident wetland birds in this harbour – Canada Goose, Mallard, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Black-headed Gull and Heron. Summer estuarine visitors are few, mainly the Tern family but keep a watch for the lone Osprey fishing in the harbour waters. The meadows around the harbour and particularly Fishbourne Meadows burst with the colour of hundreds of Southern Marsh Orchids in June. In the saltmarsh, sand dunes, shingle banks and earth sea defences, the glorious variety of coastal plants start coming into flower. Buy Chichester Harbour a Reference Guide (shop page) and see what and where to find them in the harbour. Months without an ‘r’ are breeding times for oysters and other crustaceans. Some like the harbour’s oysters are not good eating during this period. The closed period for catching bass continues throughout their nursery period May to October. June’s recipe from the wild – Dandelion salad and Dandelion Roots vegetable or coffee. |
c/o Harbour Office, Itchenor, Chichester, West Sussex, PO20 7AW
email: info@friendsch.org
Registered Charity No: 1051162
This is the area of Chichester Harbour - click on it for larger version
Below shows our location in the UK
Itchenor
Northney
Emsworth
