New Forest Deer and other animals

The New Forest is perhaps best known for its deer. Fallow Deer, Red Deer and Roe Deer are fairly widespread and can often be seen; whilst Sika Deer are found in reasonable numbers, but generally only in the south of the area. Muntjac Deer are also present, but these tiny creatures are secretive and rarely seen.

Badgers are reasonably widely distributed, and so are foxes and rabbits, although in the New Forest all three occur at lower densities than in prime habitats elsewhere. Grey squirrels, though, are successful colonisers despite sometimes determined attempts by man to keep down their numbers.

Hedgehogs are scarce on the Crown lands of the New Forest - there is little suitable food for them - and hares are very rarely seen, probably for the same reason. Mice, voles and shrews also occur only in modest numbers compared to many places elsewhere – heavy grazing by deer and commoners’ stock, and the consequent removal of ground level vegetation, does not suit them - and stoats and weasels are largely absent.

Check out the links below for lots more information about New Forest Deer and some of the other animals.

Deer

Introduction
Identification and Key Facts
The Deer
Deer Field Signs
Watching Deer

Stalking Deer: fieldcraft

Sika stag
 
Sika stag
 

 

 

Other animals

Grey squirrel
 
Grey squirrel
 
Badger (Meles meles)
Introduction
Badger watching
Tracks and trails
Fox (Vulpes vulpes)
Introduction
Family life

Tracks and trails

 

Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus)
Squirrels Red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) in the New Forest
The arrival of the grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
Grey squirrel species account

 

 

 

This web site was first published in April, 2008.

During the coming weeks, further wildlife information will be loaded, and a What's On? section added.

By the end of 2008, New Forest History will be detailed, and sections included relating to Beaulieu, Brockenhurst and Burley.

 

 
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