New Forest 'Date with Nature' - 2021
an unfortunate wood pigeon caught unawares
In most years, often at weekends and during school holidays from early April until the end of summer, New Forest visitors are able to get a privileged peek into the wilder side of New Forest life during visits to the New Forest Reptile Centre.
*** During 2020 and 2021, the Coronavirus pandemic has resulted in changed visitor arrangements, including closure of the New Forest Reptile Centre until, it is anticipated, summer 2021. Check out the Coronavirus link at the top of the page for up-to-date information. ***
Ever wondered what's hiding just out of view in and above this spectacular forest? Have you heard mewing cries in the sky, spotted the speedy dash of a bird hunting along a hedgerow or watched a silhouette hovering on the skyline and wanted to find out what it is?
If so, why not visit the New Forest 'Date with Nature' to find out more about our brilliant birds of prey, from mewing buzzards, speedy goshawks and dashing hobbies, and much, much more?
As part of an on-going partnership between the RSPB, Forestry Commission and New Forest National Park Authority, nestcams let you witness the family life of these secretive species, up close and personal, from egg to first flight. Each year brings new surprises and species, and a team of volunteers are on hand to teach you all about bird behaviour.
There is also an interactive touchscreen which is perfect for children (and even adults) who want to know more about the species that call the New Forest home.
And nearby, there are miles of nature trails to explore too, so keep your eyes peeled for various species of deer, grey squirrels and, of course, New Forest ponies as you wander the site.
Or maybe stop for a picnic near the bird feeders, and marvel at the flashes of colour as tiny birds come searching for treats.
Knowledgeable volunteers can also tell you all about the birds of prey, lapwings, curlews, nightjars, snipe, skylarks, woodlarks and many more wild birds that live safely within the protection of the New Forest National Park.
Entry to free, but donations for parking are welcome.
(Goshawk eggs are usually laid at the beginning of April, with chicks likely to appear in May. Numbers of these relatively rare birds have been building steadily in the New Forest - they have increased from just one pair in 2002 to about 40 pairs in more recent years).
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Lesser celandine blooms illuminate woodlands, and heathland edges.
Fallow deer remain in single sex herds, the bucks at this time always separate from the does.
Curlews return from the coast to breed in and around the New Forest's wetter areas.
Red admiral butterflies are increasingly seen on bright, sunny days.
April
Redstarts are amongst the first returning long-distance migrant birds that arrive in April.
Large red damselflies take to the wing, the first of many such species that will soon be seen in the New Forest.
Bluebells blossom, sometimes in good numbers in ungrazed woodlands.
Badger cubs usually first appear above ground towards the end of the month.
Sadly, 58 animals were killed - 35 ponies, 13 cows, 8 donkeys and 2 sheep, whilst a further 32 were injured - 3 pigs, 9 donkeys, 11 cows and 9 ponies.
(Forty-three accidents occurred in daylight, 15 at twilight and 101 in the dark. Twenty-seven accidents were not reported by the driver involved).
Here's just one horrific example - Three donkeys killed in collision with van at notorious New Forest blackspot (Advertiser and Times)