HAMPSHIRE WOODGREEN
A mix of habitats on the outskirts of the New Forest
Situated on the western edge of the New Forest National Park, the environs around the village of Woodgreen include all the classic forest habitats in a relatively small area. Open heathland, commons and grazing land with scattered patches of heather, birch and gorse scrub favour classic New Forest specialities such as Dartford Warbler, Wood Lark and Nightjar. Additional wetland habitats included in this walk can be found along the adjacent River Avon and flood plain, famous for its trout fishing, and where a passing Osprey may sometimes pause on its autumn migration. New Forest ponies are commonplace, and keep a lookout for Roe Deer on woodland margins, plus a wide range of butterflies along firebreaks. Scarce Sand Lizards and Adders are also present among the bracken, while Otters are often noted along the Avon watercourse.
WHERE TO WATCH
1
A path from the car park leads down to an open vista with views around a bend in the River Avon, where birds such as Little Egret, Grey Heron and Moorhen are likely along the margins. Little Grebes are present on the water, plus a variety of feral wildfowl, while Kingfishers are often seen perched on overhanging vegetation or flying over the river. Resident Cetti’s Warbler, Reed Bunting, Grey and Pied Wagtails breed, and summer brings migrant Sedge and Reed Warblers to the tangles of willow scrub and reedbeds. Adjacent grassland and ditches can attract the odd Whinchat, Grasshopper Warbler and Yellow Wagtail, while House and Sand Martins, Swallows, and Swifts hawk insects. A good spot for a hunting Red Kite, Kestrel or Hobby and, at dusk a Barn Owl.
2
Godshill Inclosure supports a variety of resident species including all three species of woodpeckers, Tawny Owl, Stock Dove, Jay, Marsh Tit, Hawfinch,
Nuthatch, Treecreeper and Goldcrest, plus numerous summering Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps. Check around the woodland margins for possible Cuckoo, Turtle Dove, Spotted Flycatcher, Wood Warbler and Redstart, although all are in steep decline. Scattered grazing pasture, birch and gorse scrub towards Millersford Bottom can attract Tree and Meadow Pipits, Sky Lark, Wood Lark, Stonechat, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Dartford, Garden and Willow Warblers, Bullfinch, Long-tailed Tit and Reed Bunting. At dusk listen for displaying Nightjar and Woodcock. From the Inclosure edge scan the open country for raptors, typically Kestrel, Hobby, Sparrowhawk, Red Kite and Buzzard, but also a chance of Honey Buzzard and Goshawk.
3
Check the conifer strip for Goldcrest, Firecrest, Coal Tit, Lesser Redpoll, Siskin and possibly Crossbill. An adjacent common is good for resident Green Woodpecker, Mistle Thrush, Goldfinch, Linnet, Bullfinch, Yellowhammer and Long-tailed Tit, plus Willow and Garden Warblers, Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroats. Nearby pylons are often used as either nesting sites or lookouts by the likes of Hobby, Peregrine and Raven.