Formerly CHOG Conservation Work, this page has been renamed to align with the CHOG Strategic Plan for 2026 to 2030.

Objective 3 of the CHOG Strategy 2026-30 relates to Restoration of Nature:

To participate in, and offer advice on, nature and wildlife restoration activities and projects

To support this objective, CHOG advises on and makes donations of funds to restoration projects that enhance the environment of Christchurch Harbour for the preservation and encouragement of nature and wildlife.

We are continuously seeking innovative ideas to support nature restoration efforts in and around the Harbour. If you have any valuable project suggestions, please feel free to share them with us by emailing here.

Recent CHOG Conservation/Nature Restoration Projects

The following projects have been part-managed by and/or received funding from CHOG:

• CHOG initiated and managed a project to install a House Martin tower on the Hoburne estate. The UK population of this species has declined by more than 75% since 1979, and providing suitable accommodation for these birds after their long flight back to us from Africa will really help them to recover and get on with the important job of breeding. The materials for the tower were kindly provided by New Milton Sand and Ballast (NMSB), while the construction was undertaken by the New Milton Men’s Shed. The tower is located at the junction of Saffron Drive and Cornflower Drive, and is complemented by a wildlife pond, a House Martin bench and interpretation signs. Wildflower planting has also taken place, and the surrounding open space will be subject to a wildlife-friendly mowing regime. This latter element of the project came courtesy of BCP Council and The Parks Foundation. Over 60 people attended the official opening ceremony in April 2025, which was hosted by our Chair, Chris Chapleo.

• Fenced area at the northern end of the Sandspit – offering an area of minimal disturbance in the hope of attracting breeding waders, and to act as a refuge at high tides. In 2023, a pair of Ringed Plovers nested within the enclosed area: the first to have bred in the Harbour for 40 years! More details…

• CHOG Swifts – there are three strands to the CHOG Swift project: understanding where Swifts are currently nesting in our area,  approaching owners of suitable properties about fitting boxes for future breeding seasons, increasing awareness of the factors leading to the decline in our Swift population and what we can all do to help.
  During 2024, the CHOG Swifts team facilitated the installation of new nest locations across eastern BCP – bringing the total to 177, in just two years. 2024 also saw the launch of the Swift Family Hosts Newsletter, with editions in April and October. You can read more about this project here…

• Extending the fence around Holloway’s Dock to enclose more of the Salt Hurns for wildlife. In 2022, an initial 130m of fencing was installed. In 2023, another 150m was added, funded by CHOG and a generous member contribution. Since the installation of the fencing, greater numbers of birds across a wider variety of species have been recorded within the enclosed area.

• Placement of buoys around Stanpit Bight – to show watercraft users the boundary of where it is recommended to use watercraft in the Harbour. More details…

• Design, production and manufacture of signage – to better inform and educate visitors to the Harbour of its wildlife and other heritage, allowing them to appreciate the reasons for access restrictions and encouraging compliance with notices. The last two signs in this project were put in place on 8th June 2022. As part of this project, CHOG developed guidance for users of watercraft in the Harbour. You can find this guidance, along with information about birds that depend on the Harbour, on our dedicated website page here.

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• Renovation of brick building in the Nursery to a Bird Hide. More details…

• Three phases of pool and ditch restoration on Priory Marsh – to improve the attractiveness of the marsh to birds and other wildlife.

• Creation of pools on Central Marsh and by the Visitor Centre at Stanpit, plus a scrape on Central Marsh – to broaden the diversity of habitat on the marsh and attract a wider range of bird and other wildlife species.

• Viewing platform and interpretation signage on Wick – providing a screened viewpoint over the Wick Hams reedbed, with ramped access.