Wildlife is a key reason that sailors love the Beaulieu River and why it’s important to all play our part in helping to protect it.
The Beaulieu River and surrounding area form part of a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) as well as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), providing habitats for more than 200 species of birdlife.
Spring and summer are the most important times of the year to protect nesting birds, while they are breeding.
Gull Island has a year-round no-landing sanctuary status due to endangered species and birds of conservation concern breeding on the island. Warren Shore has the same status from March 1 – August 1.
As part of North Solent National Nature Reserve, it is important that visiting sailors and resident berth and mooring holders do not land on Gull Island.
Interfering with nesting birds is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and regular checks are carried out to enforce the rules, with large fines for those who flout them.
Dogs should also be kept on a lead during walks along the Beaulieu to Buckler’s Hard footpath which borders the reserve, and are not permitted on the reserve at any time.
Together with Natural England, the Beaulieu Estate takes a proactive role in protecting our natural haven’s unique habitats and promoting best practice standards.
Those habitats are an important feeding ground and lifeline for birds, with up to 125,000 wildfowl and wading birds visiting the Solent each winter. The Solent is home to 10% of the world’s population of dark-bellied brent geese and the Beaulieu Estate’s coastline provides habitats for 50% of the Solent’s breeding pairs of ringed plover, as well as 40% of Hampshire’s breeding population of oystercatchers.
As well as riverbank wildlife, the Beaulieu River is also home to a colony of Grey seals. So that we can all continue to enjoy our very special surroundings, please help us by following the rules. Please don’t disturb nesting birds and other wildlife – but feel free to enjoy them from a safe distance.
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