Finance, Projects and Lobbying
Friends of Chichester Harbour
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Latest News |
Jan-March 2012 diary now available If you share our concern that Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty could be at risk if developments based on priority for economic growth are allowed to go ahead, please join the 3,000+ people who have already voted on this important issue. Read the full story and vote now.
Read the autumn newsletter
January wildlife and recipe - see below
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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
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JANUARY WILDLIFE |
Current bird counts indicate that the Brent Geese population this winter is higher than usual. Standing in some parts of the harbour you can see some impressive over flights as they noisily shift feeding or roosting grounds en mass. As you walk the shoreline with your guide to Wetland Birds (see Shop Page) scan the mudflats but also keep a good eye on the water to pick up the long slender necks of divers such as the Great Crested Grebe. Inland look out for the lesser common hunters the peregrine and the owl, short eared and barn. Whilst waiting for the first wild flower learn the types of seaweed found in the harbour. Shop page has a simple guide. Two dominant green species - Enteromorpha eaten by Brent Geese and Ulva eaten by a small snail, which in turn provides food for the Shellduck. Focus is the most noticeable of the brown seaweeds. January recipe - Treacle Posset |
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
