Wildlife-aware dog walks around the Solent coast
The Solent coastline is a hugely popular place for dog walking, and it’s easy to see why. From sweeping sea views to shingle beaches, ancient woodlands and winding coastal paths, there’s plenty to explore with your four-legged friend.
It is not only the scenery that makes the Solent coast so unique. It’s the incredible variety of wildlife that calls it home. By making a few small changes to how we walk our dogs, we can help ensure the Solent remains a fantastic place for both wildlife and people to enjoy.
Why the Solent is so special
The Solent is internationally important for wildlife, particularly birds. Throughout the year, its mudflats, saltmarshes and coastal habitats provide food, shelter and breeding grounds for thousands of birds.
In winter, alongside the resident population, up to 125,000 birds arrive from across Europe and the Arctic after travelling hundreds or even thousands of miles to spend the colder months here, including dark-bellied brent geese that migrate from Arctic Siberia to the Solent. During spring and summer, terns and Mediterranean gulls use the coastline to breed and raise their young. For many species, these habitats are essential to their survival.
It’s this rich variety of wildlife, alongside the stunning coastal landscapes, that makes the Solent such a treasured place for people and nature alike.
As dog owners, we’re incredibly fortunate to be able to enjoy these spaces. By understanding the wildlife around us and making small changes when needed, we can help ensure these habitats remain special for generations to come.
Building a community of wildlife-aware dog owners
Coast and Country Canines was created in response to the growing issue of disturbance to coastal birds. As dog owners themselves, the Coast and Country Canines team understand how important access to the coast and countryside is, and that most disturbance occurs simply because people are unaware of the impact.
By championing responsible dog ownership and raising awareness of the problem, Coast and Country Canines aims to empower the community to be part of the positive change. The initiative is building a community of people who love exploring with their dogs and who recognise the important role they can play in protecting local wildlife.
One of the ways Coast and Country Canines support this is through a collection of recommended walking routes around the Solent. These walks have been designed to help dog owners discover fantastic places to explore while also providing useful information about the wildlife, landscape and facilities along the way.
Recommended walking routes
Choosing a dog walk isn’t always straightforward, especially in sensitive coastal areas where wildlife needs can vary throughout the year.
That’s why the Coast and Country Canines team have developed a range of suggested routes that help walkers make informed choices while still enjoying everything the Solent has to offer. Coast and Country Canine’s recommended walks highlight routes where dogs and people can enjoy beautiful surroundings while being mindful of nearby wildlife habitats. This helps steer walkers away from areas where wildlife may be feeding, resting or raising their young. They have been created to help take the guesswork out of planning a walk and make it easier to choose a route that suits both you and your dog.
Each walking route includes practical information to help you make the most of your visit, including:
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- Recommended routes and directions
- Locations where dogs can enjoy off-lead exercise where appropriat
- Information about local facilities, including parking.
- Seasonal wildlife advice to help protect sensitive species
- Points of interest and local highlights
- Safety information to help ensure enjoyable walks for everyone
By bringing all this information together, Coast and Country Canines aim to make it easier for dog owners to explore confidently while helping to reduce disturbance to wildlife.
Enjoying the coast responsibly
The great thing about being a wildlife-aware dog owner is that it doesn’t make walks any less fun. In fact, understanding more about the places we visit often makes our adventures even more rewarding.
The Canine Code, created by Coast and Country Canines, is a simple guide that helps dog owners enjoy the coast and countryside responsibly while protecting wildlife.
These small actions, such as keeping your dog close in sensitive areas, sticking to paths, following requests on signs, using a lead when needed, or choosing an alternative route during certain seasons, can make a significant difference to local wildlife while still allowing everyone to enjoy the outdoors.
Together, we can help ensure the Solent remains a place where wildlife thrives and where dogs and their owners continue to enjoy memorable days out.
Discover your next walk
Looking for inspiration for your next adventure with your four-legged friend?
Explore Coast and Country Canine’s Where to Walk guides to discover wildlife-aware dog walks across the Solent region, complete with route information, local tips and seasonal advice.
Wherever your next walk takes you, remember to follow the Canine Code and help protect the wildlife and landscapes that make our coast and countryside so special.
Happy walking! 🐾
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By Coast and Country Canines
Coast and Country Canines was set up to help dog owners enjoy natural spaces while protecting the wildlife that lives there.
The initiative was created by Bird Aware Solent in response to increasing pressure on coastal birds from everyday visits, including dog walking. Our aim is to build a community of dog owners who choose to walk in a safer, more enjoyable and wildlife aware way.
