The Great Coastal Birdwatch
Back for 2026, we want this year’s Great Coastal Birdwatch to be the biggest and best yet. We have teamed up with our good friends at Bird Aware Solent, Bird Aware Essex Coast and Bird Wise East Kent to celebrate our amazing migratory birds as they return to our coastline for the winter months.
By taking part in the Great Coastal Birdwatch you can discover more about the awesome birds that we share our shores with and learn how you can help to protect them.
It is really easy to take part:
You can choose anywhere on the North Kent coastline between Gravesend and Whitstable.
Download our recording form to help you identify the birds and keep count.
Spend one hour recording the birds that you see, there is more information on our Meet the Birds pages. For each species, record the maximum number you see at one time, this helps to avoid counting the same birds twice.
Remember to be Bird Wise and follow our coastal codes to avoid disturbance. If you are bringing your dog with you remember to keep them on a lead during the count to help you spot more birds.
After you have finished counting, report your sightings to us using our online form which will be available from 19 October to 3 November.
The Rangers will be out and about at different locations during the week to help with identification. Come along to say hello and let us know what you’ve spotted. If you’d like to book onto one of our guided walks you can do this here.
Making the most of your Great Coastal Birdwatch
- The weather can be unpredictable in October so check forecasts before heading out and make sure you have the right clothing to keep warm and dry.
- The best time to see plenty of birds is a couple of hours before or after the high tide so check the tide times for your area here
- For the best view, take some binoculars or a telescope with you. A camera is also useful so you can photograph the bids you see and check any that you are not sure about when you get home.
- Involve the whole family, ask smaller children to listen out for the different sounds they can hear the birds making.
- Take food and drink with you and have a picnic whilst watching the birds.
If you have a bird guidebook don’t forget to take that.
Our friends at Bird Aware Solent have some top tips to keep you safe during your Great Coastal Birdwatch which you can read here.