Watersports with Wildlife map launched by Bird Aware Solent to enable paddleboarders to navigate waters without disturbance to birds and their habitats

A new interactive watersports wildlife map has been launched showing paddleboarders ‘friendly’ routes they can take to minimise the disturbance to birds and their habitats in the New Forest.

The Watersports with Wildlife map recommends both routes and launching points along the Forest coast and Southampton water, including the rivers Itchen and Hamble, writes Natalia Forero of the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

It will be extended the following months to the rest of the Solent, including the Isle of Wight.

The guidance features an online map which ‘pinpoints’ wildlife-friendly routes for kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders. The interactive map also shows windsurfers and kitesurfers where to launch and land.

Relevant information such as required permits, tides and picnic spots can be found on the map, as well as where to find local amenities, public toilets and parking.

Every year up to 125,000 migrating bird species come to the area from as far as from the Arctic to take advantage of the abundance of food in the coastal mudflats. The birds need to feed and rest undisturbed to survive the winter and build enough energy to fly back to their summer breeding grounds.

To mitigate the impact of these aquatic activities along the three special protection areas (SPAs) in the Solent: Solent and Southampton Water SPA, Portsmouth Harbour SPA, and Chichester and Langstone Harbours SPA, Bird Aware Solent wants to raise awareness and encourage people to adopt wildlife behaviours.

You can check and plan your next route here.