On 4th January 2026 from 10am to 12 noon the annual Widewater New Year Bird Walk will take place. It will be led by experts from the Shoreham & District Onithological Society (SDOS) for members of WoW and SDOS.

Tim Holter from SDOS has very kindly written the piece below on what we may possibly see on the walk if we are very fortunate:

‘For many years SDOS members and leaders have supported the friends group World of Widewater at their early January walk along Widewater looking at birds in the lagoon, on the beach and offshore.

We always hope the “booked” birds will turn out including, over the years, Red Breasted Mergansers, Goosander, Teal. Little Grebes, Kingfisher, Redshank and maybe an over-flight of Brent Geese. Waders may be seen along the beach and, on the sea, possibly close in Gannets, Guillemots, Razorbills, Scoters and Divers, particularly if fish shoals are close offshore.

Not forgetting the territorial antics of the many Mute Swans which may include the Black Swan’