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New Forest Birds - an introduction

The New Forest is a wonderful place to see birds. The wide variety of habitats, many of which are rare or scarce elsewhere in Britain, and relatively mild climate provide a home for a great many species. And of course, much of this ancient landscape has not been affected by modern agricultural methods or other trappings of 21st century life.

Here throughout the year Buzzards can be seen soaring on the thermals, whilst the rare Honey Buzzard is a regular late-spring and summer visitor. Goshawks have made an impressive return to the area, and so have Ravens. Hen Harriers patrol the winter heaths, whilst Great Grey Shrikes use gorse and birch for perches whilst they wait to strike at passing insects, small birds, mice and voles.

The New Forest wetlands in spring witness the warning cries of displaying Lapwings, the sound of drumming Snipe and the mournful calls of Curlews. Redshanks, too, the yelpers of the marsh, call out their agitated warnings to intruders, whilst Hobbies hawk above, searching for flying insects.

New Forest wildlife: help safeguard New Forest wildlife. From March to July, a range of scarce, vulnerable heathland and wetland birds nest on the ground in the New Forest. Please stay on the main paths at this time, and ensure that dogs do also. Here's more information: Disturbance to ground nesting birds.

Dartford Warblers frequent the heaths, and so, too, do Stonechats, Woodlarks and breeding Linnets. Nightjars, too, can be found on heathland, and also in areas of woodland clear-fell.

Woodpeckers, Crossbills and Hawfinches are year-round residents, whilst the ancient, unenclosed woodlands attract breeding Redstarts and Wood Warblers. And Kingfishers and Grey Wagtails enliven the streams, sometimes in company with Mandarin ducks and Little Egrets.

In all, the New Forest is home to around 100 species of breeding birds, whilst a further 20 or so, can be seen as regular winter visitors or passage migrants.

Details are provided here for many of the more notable species - just click on the links below. There's also an introduction to bird identification; guidance for those wanting to purchase binoculars or a field guide; and advice on bird sound recognition.


Buteo buteo
Loxia curvirostra
Numenius arquata
Sylvia undata
Lanius excubitor
Dendrocopos major
Picus viridis
Motacilla cinerea
Coccothraustes coccothraustes
Circus cyaneus
Falco subbuteo
Alcedo atthis
Vanellus vanellus
Dendrocopos minor
Aix galericulata
Caprimulgus europaeus
Sitta europaea
Corvus corax
Tringa totanus
Phoenicurus phoenicurus
Asio flammeus
Gallinago gallinago
Saxicola torquata
Strix aluco
Scolopax rusticola
Lullula arborea
Phylloscopus sibilatrix
New Forest Birds: Tawny owl
 
New Forest Birds: Tawny Owl
 

 

 

 

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