Project Updates
Sanderling Roadshow!
Isle of Wight Ranger, Charlotte, from Bird Aware Solent, has been taking her table of birdie goodies to a number of engagement events on the Island. As part of her material, Charlotte has been sharing information on the Sandrerling Recovery Project in the form of posters, leaflets, and a life-sized Sanderling model! From Appley Day to the annual Recorders Conference, Charlotte and her Sanderling have been wowing people with the amazing birdlife the Island supports, and what we can all do to support them.
Thank you, Charlotte!
Signage Designs
We’re pleased to share that the designs have been finalised and the signs are on their way to the Isle of Wight! The signs (below), designed by Bird Aware Solent in collaboration with the project partnership, serve an essential role in the Bird Protection Area, to both educate people where not to go, but also to engage them with the brilliant - but fragile - wildlife at Ryde Sands. More to come soon once we have these signs out across the coast…
Surveys Start!
From September, our team of surveyors have been out on the coast, tracking the Sanderling population and other important birds that use the protection area. Importantly, surveyors are also on the lookout for how the birds get disturbed or set to flight. This can be the result of a number of things, from a dog running, a human walking or someone perhaps out fishing. Making sure the birds have space to rest when the tide is high is absolutely essential. It makes sure they can concentrate on low-tide feeding, allowing them to build up energy reserves for their return home to the Siberian Arctic and Greenland, without which ultimately, their survival is compromised. Bird Aware Solent Ranger Charlotte will be out on the coast watching the birds and chatting to beach users, to encourage better choices to support these populations - say hi if you see her!
91 Sanderling and 15 Ringed Plover, spotted by our surveyor Eileen.
First Partnership Project Meeting
September 8th 2025 saw the first Project Partnership meeting for the Sanderling Recovery Project. Partners included Hovertravlel, Ryde Marine, Ryde Town Council, Isle of Wight Council, Natural England, Bird Aware Solent and a team of committed volunteer surveyors. The partnership was facilitated by project leads, The Common Space. This first meeting introduced the project, briefed the group on interventions, demonstrated proposed signage designs, and the needs for the survey app.
Partnership meeting at Hovertravel’s HQ in Ryde, overlooking the Bird Protection Area.