News
14 July 2025 - School Safari
On a blustery Monday morning we welcomed 57 Key Stage 2 (7-8 years olds) from Swiss Gardens Primary School for a walk around the SSSI.
We helped with some map and compass work and then spoke about the special ecology of the area with a discussion about migratory birds. We talked about and spotted many different birds on the river and linked everything with climate change concerns and the importance of the salt marsh for wildlife and the health of our planet. The children had so many questions and enthusiastically participated for the whole morning - what a credit to themselves and their school.
It was a wonderful experience for us and we hope to link up with many more schools. If you'd like us to lead a walk or talk to help reach some curriculum goals, please do get in touch.
News
12 June 2025 - Walking Safari
We had a great turnout for the recent walking safari. The weather was kind with light airs and full sunshine all evening.
We shared a little about the importance and value of the SSSI and the aims of the Friends of Adur SSSI group. We also talked about the bigger whole river projects that will ultimately help support this fragile habitat.
It was great to have Tony and Richard from Shoreham District Ornithological Society (SDOS) who were able to tell us about the latest Eurasian Curlew sightings on the SSSI and the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust’s project at Burpham on the Norfolk Estate that is trying to help breeding recovery of this species that is at serious risk of extinction. So it is very heartening to see tagged birds PO and NO aligning with their migratory hardwiring and choosing to return to the Adur Estuary. What’s more it reinforces that fact that migratory patterns and nesting habits are not easily changed - birds are less adaptable than us humans and not easily relocated. All the more reason to work on growing and recovering the Adur SSSI so that more Curlews can thrive.
As we marvelled at the latest transit of black-headed gulls on the mudflats - our attention was quickly drawn to the far side of the airport airfield - where as if on cue - a barn owl was busy hunting and gave quite a show for those who had binoculars!
At cuckoo corner, and the upper edges of the SSSI, we were serenaded by the songs of the sky larks and the reed birds, as we thought about the possibility of a recovered landscape and the potential a restored saltmash could have for all that depend on it for survival.
News
21 June 2025 - Midsummer Fair in Shoreham
We were so pleased with how many people stopped by to learn more about the FOASSSI and how they can help. We were part of an amazing day and stood shoulder to shoulder with many other environmental organisations which are all pushing for better protection of our natural environments so they can be enjoyed by us all. Remember, if you haven't signed up for our mailing list, please do so as lots of support means more capacity to get things changed for the better. Go to our Help Us page to sign up now.
27 April 2025 - River Safari
We had a great turn out and lovely sunny conditions for the first Adur River Safari. Samantha Smithson shared her passion for the river as a living entity. She talked about what the SSSI, its importance and how we can all play a part in helping to protect this delicate ecosystem including a few simple tips on how to paddle without disturbing our bird residents and visitors.
As we gently cruised along in the sunshine we were spotted by the Turnstones huddling in the sun on their favourite boat. We were called to by the passing Oystercatchers who were doing some serious fly-bys and serenaded by a solo Whitethroat - singing his heart out at Cuckoo Corner where we paused for some slack tide river stillness and learned about the the Adur River Recovery Project. A huge shout out to Moxie Unleash for partnering with us on these trips - Sasha brings a wealth of paddle safety knowledge, blue health wisdom, and is also able to offer board hire for the trips.