Marine Wildlife of the Solent

Seals, fish, jellyfish and the marine life visible from Lee's coast

The Solent is one of the busiest waterways in the world, carrying ferries, tankers, warships, and sailing boats past Lee-on-the-Solent every day. Beneath and alongside all that traffic, a rich marine ecosystem thrives. You do not need a boat to see it. Patient watching from the promenade, the beach, or the water's edge reveals a surprising amount of wildlife.

Seals are present in the Solent and are occasionally spotted from the Lee-on-the-Solent shore. Both grey seals and common (harbour) seals use the Solent, hauling out on sandbanks and rocky outcrops. Sightings from Lee itself are not daily occurrences, but they happen often enough to be worth watching for, particularly during the quieter months. A dark head bobbing in the water close to the groynes is more likely to be a seal than anything else.

Jellyfish appear in the Solent regularly during the warmer months. Moon jellyfish, translucent and saucer-shaped, are the most common and drift through in large numbers during summer. Compass jellyfish, with their brown V-shaped markings, are also seen. Barrel jellyfish, the largest species found in British waters, turn up occasionally, their solid dome-shaped bodies drawing attention when they wash up on the shingle. Lion's mane jellyfish, trailing long stinging tentacles, appear in some years and should be avoided on the beach.

Fish are present in good numbers, though they are mostly invisible from the shore. Bass patrol the shingle margins, feeding on small fish and crabs. Sole and flounder lie camouflaged on the seabed in the shallows. Mullet shoal in the warmer water near the groynes during summer, visible as dark shapes moving slowly through the clear water. Cuttlefish visit the inshore waters in spring to breed, and their white internal shells, cuttlebones, wash up on the beach in large numbers.

Birds are the most visible component of the Solent's wildlife. Gannets dive into the Solent from considerable height, hitting the water like white darts. Terns fish close to shore with a hovering, plunging technique that is mesmerising to watch. Cormorants sit on the groynes between dives, spreading their wings to dry in a posture that has not changed since the dinosaurs.

Dolphins and porpoises are recorded in the Solent but are not common sightings from the shore. Harbour porpoises are the most likely species, typically seen as brief, rolling appearances at the surface. Bottlenose dolphins pass through occasionally, usually in small groups.

The marine ecology of the Solent is monitored by several organisations, including the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and the Solent Forum. The waterway's importance for marine life sits alongside its commercial and recreational uses, and the balance between these interests is an ongoing consideration.

For anyone standing on the Lee-on-the-Solent promenade with binoculars and time to spare, the Solent is far more than a backdrop. It is a living system, and knowing what to look for makes the view richer.