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The wildlife of the New Forest
The New Forest has been shaped since prehistoric times by man and his animals. It is the largest area of lowland heath in Britain and the mosaic of different habitats provides for a rich flora and fauna.
New Forest to close 4 car parks to aid ground breeding birds.
- The closure is aimed at protecting endangered ground-nesting bird populations by trialling the temporary closure of car parks in especially sensitive areas. Monitoring of the effects of the March to June closures, due to begin this spring, will be carried out over a five year period.
- The affected car parks are at Clayhill (Burley), Hincheslea Wood, Crockford and Crockford Clump.
- By reducing the number of people visiting and crossing the sensitive wildlife areas, the organisers hope to increase the total area of relatively secluded high-quality habitat in the forest by around 600 hectares.
- RSPB spokesman Drew McVey, told the meeting that species like curlew, lapwing and redshank were in serious decline across the country. Snipe in particular were endangered having suffered a 90% decline in numbers.
- He said that the New Forest was one of only a few vital strongholds left for some species. Steps needed to be taken to ensure the area remained a safe haven for them.
REPTILES
All six native reptiles are found in the New Forest, as well as three species of newt, the common frog and common toad. The New Forest is also home to Britain's only poisonous snake, the adder. In addition Britain’s two rarest reptiles, the smooth snake and the sand lizard, can be found on the drier parts of the heathlands. The sand lizard became extinct throughout Hampshire by about 1970. Since then the Forestry Commission has participated in a breeding programme for the species and combined with careful habitat management has successfully introduced it to a number of sites in the west of the Forest.
All six native reptiles are found in the New Forest, as well as three species of newt, the common frog and common toad. The New Forest is also home to Britain's only poisonous snake, the adder. In addition Britain’s two rarest reptiles, the smooth snake and the sand lizard, can be found on the drier parts of the heathlands. The sand lizard became extinct throughout Hampshire by about 1970. Since then the Forestry Commission has participated in a breeding programme for the species and combined with careful habitat management has successfully introduced it to a number of sites in the west of the Forest.
BIRDS
The New Forest supports a number of birds of prey including sparrowhawks, buzzards, hobbies, kestrels and the rare Honey buzzard. The rare firecrest and its commoner relative, the goldcrest, are also found in the forest.
Valley mires support nationally important populations of snipe, curlew, lapwing and a few redshank. The breeding successes of the latter three are adversely affected by disturbance from recreational users and their dogs so have not fared so well in recent years.
The forest’s heathlands are also important for many bird species. These include the nationally rare Dartford warbler and woodlark, and summer visitors such as the nightjar and Montagu's harrier.
The New Forest supports a number of birds of prey including sparrowhawks, buzzards, hobbies, kestrels and the rare Honey buzzard. The rare firecrest and its commoner relative, the goldcrest, are also found in the forest.
Valley mires support nationally important populations of snipe, curlew, lapwing and a few redshank. The breeding successes of the latter three are adversely affected by disturbance from recreational users and their dogs so have not fared so well in recent years.
The forest’s heathlands are also important for many bird species. These include the nationally rare Dartford warbler and woodlark, and summer visitors such as the nightjar and Montagu's harrier.
MAMMALS
The New Forest is home to five different species of deer - Fallow, Roe, Red, Sika and Muntjac. Grey squirrels are considered a pest as they cause a great deal of damage to the trees. It is hoped that the recent arrival of predators, notably goshawks and Pine martens, will provide a natural way of controlling squirrel numbers in the future.
Badgers are found throughout the woodlands of the New Forest but in lower densities than surrounding areas. This may be attributed to the low numbers of earthworms, their preferred food.
The New Forest is home to five different species of deer - Fallow, Roe, Red, Sika and Muntjac. Grey squirrels are considered a pest as they cause a great deal of damage to the trees. It is hoped that the recent arrival of predators, notably goshawks and Pine martens, will provide a natural way of controlling squirrel numbers in the future.
Badgers are found throughout the woodlands of the New Forest but in lower densities than surrounding areas. This may be attributed to the low numbers of earthworms, their preferred food.
In the last few years two new species of mammal have arrived in the forest. Firstly the Polecat has been recorded in increasing numbers having spread across England from its former stronghold in Wales. They are seldom seen as they are almost exclusively nocturnal and sadly our main method of recording them is as road casualties. Secondly there have been a few valid reports of Pine Martens, one being verified as a road casualty. The presence of these two major predators may well have a significant effect on the rabbits and squirrel populations of the forest.
Bats
The New Forest habitats are important places for bats. Of the 17 native species, 13 have been recorded from the New Forest. These include the nationally rare Bechstein’s and Barbastelle bats.
The Forestry Commission, in conjunction with English Nature and the Vincent Wildlife Trust, have erected some 200 boxes as secure roosts for bats. Although there is no shortage of natural roost sites for bats, especially in the deciduous woodlands, the boxes provide an excellent means of monitoring bat numbers
The New Forest habitats are important places for bats. Of the 17 native species, 13 have been recorded from the New Forest. These include the nationally rare Bechstein’s and Barbastelle bats.
The Forestry Commission, in conjunction with English Nature and the Vincent Wildlife Trust, have erected some 200 boxes as secure roosts for bats. Although there is no shortage of natural roost sites for bats, especially in the deciduous woodlands, the boxes provide an excellent means of monitoring bat numbers
INVERTEBRATES
The New Forest is very rich in invertebrate species with 55% of butterflies and moths, 46% of beetles, 74% of dragonflies and damselflies, and 67% of grasshoppers and crickets that are found in Britain living in the New Forest.
Up to 10,000 species of invertebrates are found in the Ancient and Ornamental woodlands and are mainly associated with the large quantities of dead wood found in these areas. One of the New Forest's most striking of the species that are dependent on dead wood is the stag beetle. This large and impressive beetle can sometimes be seen flying at dusk in mid-summer. The males have large 'antlers' which they use for fighting with each other, hence the name 'stag'. The larvae spend several years eating a rather boring diet of rotting wood before they finally emerge as beetles.
For further information about the New Forest, how to get there and a map of the forest, please go the New Forest section on the Forestry Commission website.
The New Forest is very rich in invertebrate species with 55% of butterflies and moths, 46% of beetles, 74% of dragonflies and damselflies, and 67% of grasshoppers and crickets that are found in Britain living in the New Forest.
Up to 10,000 species of invertebrates are found in the Ancient and Ornamental woodlands and are mainly associated with the large quantities of dead wood found in these areas. One of the New Forest's most striking of the species that are dependent on dead wood is the stag beetle. This large and impressive beetle can sometimes be seen flying at dusk in mid-summer. The males have large 'antlers' which they use for fighting with each other, hence the name 'stag'. The larvae spend several years eating a rather boring diet of rotting wood before they finally emerge as beetles.
For further information about the New Forest, how to get there and a map of the forest, please go the New Forest section on the Forestry Commission website.
These maps are intended as a guideline only; you must check the exact location of the reserve yourself. Wildlife Extra assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or usefulness of the information on this website.
