BOSHAM HOE
A harbour walk for wildfowl and waders
The hamlet of Bosham Hoe is situated on a tidal channel of Chichester Harbour, one of our most scenic, wildlife-rich south coast beauty spots, and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The walk covers an eastern arm of the harbour, taking in a myriad of inter-tidal creeks, sandbars and mud flats, affording particularly good views of wildfowl and shorebirds, and a chance of scarcities such as Spoonbill, White-fronted Goose and Osprey, depending on the season. A deciduous wood, a National Trust meadow and arable farmland are also included within the route, offering a wide range of species throughout. Keep a lookout for Harbour Seal in the channels, plus Brown Hare and Roe Deer on farmland.
WHERE TO WATCH 1
Check the copse for tit flocks that may contain Goldcrest and a wintering Firecrest, Blackcap or Chiffchaff; a good spot in autumn to search for passage warblers and flycatchers. At high tide, the adjacent ferry creek attracts Brent Geese, Shelduck, Wigeon and the occasional Black-necked Grebe, Pintail, Goldeneye or Redbreasted Merganser. Exposed mud at low tide brings typical estuary waders such as Avocet, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Bar and Black-tailed Godwits, Ringed and
Grey Plovers and Redshank. Weedy rocks attract Turnstone and Rock Pipit, while Little and Great White Egrets, Grey Heron and Green Sandpiper haunt the creek margins.
2
Longmore Point affords a panoramic viewpoint across a tidal arm of the harbour. Depending on the state of the tide, wildfowl and waders are assured, including hundreds of Dunlin, Sanderling and Knot in winter, plus the chance of Greenshank, Spotted Redshank and Curlew Sandpiper on autumn passage. High tide gull roosts off Birdham Pool can be impressive, and often contain Mediterranean Gulls among the throng, as well as the odd Yellow-legged Gull and, on autumn migration, Common,
Sandwich and Little Terns. Peregrine and Merlin often hunt here, as does the occasional passing Osprey.
3
The track skirts Oldpark Wood, home to Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Tawny Owl, Jay, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Goldcrest, tits, thrushes and finches. Buzzard and Sparrowhawk are often present and there is a chance of a wintering Woodcock. In autumn, check for passage migrants such as Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Whitethroat, plus a chance of Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher.
4
Farmland birds including Yellowhammer, Corn and Reed Buntings, Meadow Pipit, Sky Lark, Linnet and Goldfinch haunt stubble fields, plus Lapwing, Golden Plover, Kestrel, Buzzard, corvids, partridges, winter thrushes, Stock Dove and gulls. In autumn, the rough ground by Bosham Channel is favoured by grounded Yellow Wagtail, Wheatear, Whinchat, Lesser Whitethroat and Willow Warbler. Swallows and House Martins feeding over the fields can attract a Hobby, while Barn Owl is often noted at dusk. Check hedgerows for passerine flocks including Bullfinch, Long-tailed Tit and Stonechat. Scan the channel for egrets, waders and wildfowl on a changing tide.