The New Forest is a place where ponies, donkeys and cattle live in harmony and freely graze the land. It is both a living and working environment and the presence of these animals and New Forest wildlife ensure the patchwork of varying habitats are able to thrive intact.
Venturing deeper in the forest, wild deer can be found treading stealthily beneath canopies of mighty oaks and beech. Incredible natural landscapes that have barely been changed by the world of today. If you are looking for a get away from it all place to relax and unwind, be at one with nature and appreciate the wonders that surround you, a visit to this marvellous British gem has to be high on the list.
There are approximately 5,000 New Forest Ponies that roam freely within our National Park and its likely these are the most popular animals you will encounter whilst taking a walk in the forest and the surrounding areas. Donkeys are another favourite you are most likely to come across on your travels within the National Park, although these are much less in number in comparison at around 200.
Cattle feature highly in and around the forest and due to the extreme conditions winter can produce, only the hardier type breeds are allowed to inhabit these lands. Highland cattle being just one example. The New Forest is also home to five different type of deer which include Red, Roe, Fallow, Sika and Muntjac. Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary is a great place to observe some of these or at the New Forest Deer Safari based near Burley. If you are lucky you will encounter deer out walking in the forest or maybe spot them grazing on the open heathland.
Pigs And Acorns
Autumn is the time to see pigs roaming the forest floor. There are about 600 pigs which are set free and are specifically used for a certain task, pannage. This is a crucially important endeavour for the pigs as their job is to eat the acorns which have fallen from the trees. The acorns just so happen to be poisonous to the New Forest ponies and cattle, so to avoid any potential fatalities, the pigs have the pleasure of rummaging and eating the acorns whilst keeping the other animals healthy.
The New Forest is also well known for the abundance of reptiles that can be found. During the peak Summer months, the open heathland provides the perfect basking ground for adders and grass snakes. Furthermore, there are countless bogs and pools that are located in the area and make ideal habitats for frogs, toads, lizards, newts and other reptiles and amphibians. A visit to the New Forest Reptile Centre close to Lyndhurst is a great place to discover more about the local species of reptiles that make this wonderful place their home. The Centre has purposely designed enclosures which showcase the British species that you may be lucky enough to spot.
The birdlife in the New Forest is also worth highlighting. Plenty of rich and diverse habitats adorn these landscapes and they are home to some rare birds. Its also worth noting that over 100 species of bird also come to breed here. With wetlands, woods and heathlands, there are numerous types of birds to spot here, particularly over the winter months in some of the area’s nature reserves.
New Forest Trees, Plants and Flowers
The ancient woodlands of the New Forest come alive with its wonderful flora and fauna in the spring months, with the rich bright greens of the oak and beech trees and the bright hue of the bluebells carpeting the woodland floor. The fungi that emerges in the autumn months produces a richness of colour and some strange shapes can be seen protruding from fallen trees and on the forest floor. Every season in The New Forest is guaranteed to provide some fantastic opportunities to get up close to nature and we wouldn`t want you to miss out.
Learn About Wildlife And Nature In The New Forest
In addition to the places previously mentioned, you can learn more about the area’s special wildlife and nature at the New Forest Centre in Lyndhurst.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust manages Blashford Lakes nature reserve, near Ringwood. This former gravel quarry is now a set of lakes that are a haven for many species of bird. Check out the reserves regular events including guided nature walks and wildlife spotting sessions.
At Bolderwood, the Forestry Commission have a selection of cycling and walking trails that thread their way through the forest from the car park. Along the routes look out for interpretation signs depicting more information about some of the flora and fauna that you can find here.
Take a trip to Lepe Country Park, which sits along the Solent coastline. It holds regular nature events including bat walks and family events. During the school summer holidays the summer trail is a popular activity for families to get to learn more about the country park and what types of flora and fauna can be found here.
Another great way to learn more about New Forest wildlife and nature is to book onto a guided walk with one of our local tour companies or experts. If you fancy going on a guided snake walk with an ecologist or maybe a group amble through some of our trails with the chance to soak up the nature that surrounds you, then there are plenty of options available.
The New Forest National Park
One of 15 National Parks in the UK, The New Forest has been a designated National Park since 2005.
National Park status means that the area is protected and preserved for future generations.
Almost half of the New Forest National Park is operated by the Forestry Commission and large areas of the New Forest are used by commoners, the people who have rights to graze their ponies, cattle and donkeys in the open forest.
Everyone who visits and enjoys this beautiful National Park has a duty to ensure the safety of all who inhabit it. This could mean driving safely at all times for the more popular residents such as the ponies and cattle that roam the woodlands and heathland. As much as our New Forest ponies and other animals are beautiful to watch, please keep your distance and certainly do not touch them. They are wild animals and are liable to kick or bite. Take extra care when driving the New Forest’s roads, particularly at night as animals can quite often be found in the middle of the carriageway.
Be sure to protect the smaller creatures too, such as squirrels, reptiles and amphibians that also occupy these sacred lands but are much less visible.
Forest Friendly Visitor
The New Forest National Park is a wonderful place to have a break and you can help it stay that way by being a Forest friendly visitor.
One example of being forest friendly is leaving fungi for other people to enjoy. Fungi are essential to the New Forest’s internationally protected ecosystem. Foragers must apply for permission for educational excursions from the Forestry Commission in advance. If you suspect or see commercial picking please call the Forestry Commission on 0300 067 4600 or the National Trust on 01425 650035.
Come and experience the New Forest Wildlife and enjoy everything this beautiful place has to offer.