New Forest
The New Forest National Park is home to a wealth of great wildlife and is a great place to visit at any time of the year
Ed Hutchings heads for the trees and embraces the wonderful birding opportunities provided in the New Forest
Covering about 220 square miles, the New Forest is one of southern England’s favourite rural playgrounds, attracting some 13.5 million day visits annually. The forest was requisitioned by William the Conqueror in 1079, as a game reserve, and the rights of its inhabitants soon became subservient to those of his precious deer.
Later monarchs, less passionate about hunting than the Normans, gradually restored the forest dwellers’ rights and today the New Forest enjoys a unique patchwork of ancient laws and privileges, alongside the regulations applying to its National Park status, designated in 2005.
The trees of the forest are increasingly more varied than they were in preNorman times, with Scots Pine, Yew, birches and Holly interspersed with Beech and ancient oaks. One of the most venerable trees is the much visited Knightwood Oak, just a few hundred yards north of the A35, three miles south-west of Lyndhurst, which measures nearly 22ft in circumference at shoulder height. The New Forest is the pièce de résistance of Hampshire’s countryside, and host to one of the outstanding assemblages of breeding birds anywhere in Britain. Over a wide variety of habitats, including ancient woodland, bog, conifer plantation, heathland, pond and stream, one may discover a considerable biodiversity. The bulk of the National Park’s species are extensive enough that they may be encountered in most areas of appropriate habitat.
The woods of the National Park hold most of the desired birds and are arguably the most crucial British bastion for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, which is best looked for in February and March, usually in venerable oaks or stands of birches or Alder. Hawfinch is somewhat frequent but tricky; they’re usually located at their roost sites such as Blackwater Arboretum.
Falling numbers
Unhappily, Wood Warbler numbers have dwindled substantially of late and encounters at several traditional spots outside the Boldrewood area are now improbable. Breeding Firecrest were initially detected in the 1960s but are now decidedly established and effortlessly encountered. The Crossbill population fluctuates annually, but they may typically be found in conifer stands. Other commonplace woodland breeders include Marsh Tit, Spotted Flycatcher, Redstart, Tree Pipit and Siskin.
The National Park is also renowned for its raptors. The most desired is Honey Buzzard, though it’s sporadic and only observed at certain viewpoints, primarily from mid-May to mid-June. However, Goshawk has expanded significantly and may be regularly encountered soaring over stretches of forest. Hobby are decreasing, but there is a healthy chance of finding them pursuing insectivorous prey over marshy areas. The crown jewel of open heathland is Dartford Warbler (below). Their population oscillates markedly depending on weather conditions in winter, but it’s bound to be discovered in nearly all stretches of open heath with scattered Gorse.
Wood Lark is another prominent heathland species that may be seen, though it also occurs in forest glades. The same goes for Nightjar, common in the National Park, best searched for on balmy, cloudless evenings from the middle of May. Other common heathland species include Stonechat, Meadow Pipit and Linnet. Cuckoo is still reasonably common in the National Park and is best found on forest edges and in open areas. The final significant habitat is the damp expanses, where breeding Lapwing,
Curlew, Snipe and Redshank persist in fluctuating numbers. Forest streams hold a population of breeding Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail, while resident Mandarin are best chanced upon on ponds.
Birding delights
Winter may appear a muted period in the National Park, as many of the breeders have long since departed. Nevertheless, there are fresh arrivals that draw attention. Great Grey Shrikes occur every year in modest figures, with between one and four birds usually showing up, regularly at classic locations such as Holm Hill or Bishop’s Dyke. Modest numbers of Hen Harrier persist in winter, too, as well as Merlin and, less often, Short-eared Owl.
In the forest, Brambling may turn up in abundance and Lesser Redpoll are usually encountered among Alder. In the damper sites, some Teal winter in the mires and bogs, while Goosander may regularly provide close views on ponds.
Beaulieu Road Station, accessible by public transport, is one of the most well-known spots to start a ramble in the National Park. West of Shatterford lies Denny Wood, an area of broadleaved woodland excellent for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. East of Beaulieu Road Station, Yew Tree Heath is favourable for Nightjar (in the summer). The forest west of Lyndhurst is the key area to find many of the National Park’s woodland birds.
Further east, Acres Down is a favourite raptor watching spot, as the down commands a natural vantage point over the encompassing woodland. South of Boldrewood, the entire stretch of Ornamental Drive is profitable for woodland birds, with Mark Ash Wood being most productive. The Knighthood Oak is a fine spot to find Redstart (summer), while Crossbill are found in the conifers west of the road. To the south of the A35, Rhinefield Ornamental Drive is an ideal base to look for woodland species. Blackwater Arboretum is a classic roosting location for Hawfinch and reliable for Crossbill. To the south, Holm Hill is a traditional wintering spot for Great Grey Shrike, particularly around Crab Tree Bog.
Immediately east of Brockenhurst, Roydon Woods Nature Reserve is also worth checking for woodland birds. South of Burley, Holmsley is decent for heath species, as well as waders, and a routine wintering area for Great Grey Shrike. West of Burley is Cranes Moor, another established spot for Great Grey Shrike. Holmsley Gravel Pit Nature Reserve is excellent for Green Sandpiper in autumn and notable numbers of wintering Teal.
North of the A31, the best birding is regarded to be around Black Gutter Bottom – it’s a regular wintering site for Great Grey Shrike, as well as raptors. Around Fritham, Eyeworth Pond is the most reliable spot in the National Park for Mandarin and wintering Goosander. Excellent views of Marsh Tit and Nuthatch may be glimpsed in the car park.
West of here, Islands Thorns and Amberwood Enclosures are both fruitful for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Fritham Plain is a great location for heath specialists including the odd Great Grey Shrike in winter. North of the A31, both Slufters and Milkham Enclosures have sizeable tracts of conifer and are profitable areas to search for Crossbill. With typical, accidental, English irony the New Forest is anything but new. It really doesn’t get any better than this.