Beached bird surveys along the Belgian coast, Jan-May 1992, were co-ordinated by the Belgian Institute of Nature Conservation. During weekly counts of Oostende-Nieuwpoort (16.5 km), only 113 birds were collected (25 species; table 1). Guillemot Uria aalge was the most abundant species (36). High densities were found after periods of onshore wind (max. 1.4/km 17 Jan). Small changes in species composition occurred, with more Common Scoters Melanitta nigra and Great Crested Grebes Podiceps cristatus in Feb-Mar and increasing numbers of Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus and Fulmars Fulmarus glacialis in Apr. Oil rates amounted to 45%, with higher values in scoters, auks (76% in the Guillemot) and grebes. During the complete surveys of Jan and Feb, 65 and 38 corpses were found (i.e. 1.0, resp. 0.6/km, 18 and 22 species). Guillemots were most abundant (23 and 9). Rather low overall oil rates were reported (resp. 35 and 52%). The total number of beached birds in winter 1991-1992 along the Belgian coast was estimated at 1000-1500.