Condition review of Chichester Harbour sites: intertidal, subtidal and bird features (NERR090)

Chichester Harbour is one of the most important sites for wildlife in the United Kingdom and is globally important for migratory birds. The harbour is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Area (SPA) for birds. A combination of a desk-based evidence reviews and field survey for saltmarsh in 2019 were undertaken by Natural England to assess whether the harbour’s special habitats and species (known as notified features) were flourishing – or as we describe features of designated sites: in favourable condition. The report reviews the historic trends in populations and condition of notified features, discusses whether the existing conservation actions are appropriate, and identifies what changes are required to improve the site and its features back to favourable condition.