Wildlife in the New Forest

The New Forest may be one of the UK’s smallest national parks, but it encompasses a diverse range of precious natural habitats including wet and dry heathland, ancient woodlands, pastureland and coastline. Many of these areas have remained largely undeveloped for centuries, and the whole park is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). There’s a huge range of fascinating flora and fauna to discover here, including many rare species.

Our guide to New Forest wildlife will help you find the best places to visit, as well as telling you what you’re likely to see and when. Whether you’re a wildlife lover, a photographer or just someone who wants to immerse yourself in the beauty of this special natural environment, you’re in the right place.

Diverse habitats of the New Forest

Ancient woodlands 

The New Forest is dotted with areas of ancient oak and beech woodland, replete with carpets of bluebells in spring, mushrooms and fungi in autumn, and vibrant yellow celandines in winter. All in all, the forest has around 1000 recorded ancient trees, with impressive yew, redwood, ash, elm and firs too. These mature forests support many species of flora and fauna, including ferns, mosses and lichens, beetles and bats. Nesting redstarts, woodpeckers, badgers and several species of deer are just some of the birds and animals that make the forest their home. 

One of the best places to see some of these is the Bolderwood Arboretum, home to the 500-year-old Knightwood Oak and fine examples of Douglas firs. The arboretum’s Ornamental Drive is one of the park’s most popular sites, and a visit here is easy to combine with a walk through nearby Blackwater Arboretum, where you’ll find giant sequoias too.

Heathlands and grasslands

The New Forest is home to Europe’s largest remaining area of heathland, which encompasses wet and dry heath, grasslands, bogs and mires. The local grazing populations of cattle, ponies, sheep and deer (plus pigs in autumn) help maintain this rare habitat, along with controlled burning that allows new plants to flourish. Drier areas are typified by swathes of purple heather, moor-grass and bright yellow gorse, and support significant populations of sand lizards, adders and grass snakes, as well as rare smooth snakes and Dartford warblers. Heathland plants to look out for include orchids, delicate sundews (which trap and consume insects) and the beautiful pink blooms of wild gladiolus.

Wetlands, rivers, mires and ponds 

The New Forest National Park has around 300 ponds that are large enough to feature on a map, as well as hundreds more small temporary and permanent pools, which all help sustain a wide range of wildlife including water beetles, frogs, toads and newts. Rivers and streams are home to trout, eels, kingfishers, herons and otters, while waterlogged mires are rich in nutrients and support dragonflies and damselflies, as well as more than 150 different plant species. 

Coastal habitats 

Typified by saltmarsh, mudflats and shingle beaches, the coastal areas of the New Forest National Park, along the Solent, stretch for around 25 miles. The saltwater lagoons here support sea anemones, wading birds like godwits and snipe (which are sometimes preyed on by peregrine falcons) and wintering Brent geese, as well as large concentrations of terns, gulls and oystercatchers. Throw in crabs, grey and harbour seals and even the odd dolphin, and you’ll have plenty of creatures to spot if you venture to the south of the park, where the Lymington and Keyhaven Marshes Local Nature Reserve is a great place to start.

Pastures and meadows

The park’s pastures and meadows both support and are maintained by iconic New Forest ponies, donkeys and cattle, granted the right to roam and graze here by a practice known as ‘commoning’ that has been a feature of the park for hundreds of years. In the autumn, pigs are turned loose to feed on the acorns that can be poisonous to ponies and cattle, in a right known as ‘pannage’. 

These immaculately smooth areas are a great example of the interdependence of species and sustainable agricultural practices that make the park such a special place, and are also a popular habitat for essential pollinators such as butterflies and bees.

The New Forest National Park website has a handy downloadable PDF file that provides details of all the wildlife and plants to look out for in the park’s many habitats.

Animals to spot in the New Forest

Deer

The New Forest is home to five different types of deer – red, fallow, roe, sika and muntjac – and you’ll have the best chance of spotting them in the early morning and evening, particularly during autumn, which is the mating season. Fallow deer are the most common, and feed both in the deciduous woodland and on open grazing land. The rarest, muntjac, and the largest, red deer, prefer the woods. You may be lucky enough to spot muntjac and sika deer in the woodland around Beaulieu, red deer in the west of the park, and roe deer throughout.

If you’d like to be more sure of spotting these elusive creatures, pay a visit to Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary, where Forestry England’s rangers feed local herds of fallow deer between April and September (usually between noon and 2:30), and there’s a viewing platform for members of the public. In summer (from noon), Burley Park also runs ‘deer safaris’ in a tractor and trailer that allow you to get up close (and sometimes even feed) their resident herd of red deer.

Birds 

The New Forest's heathlands, woodlands and nature reserves are all great places for avid bird watchers to spot some of the 120 or so species that either breed here or visit the park in winter. Nightjars, woodlarks, stonechat, merlins and hen harriers are just some of those to look out for on heathlands. The park’s woodlands shelter woodpeckers and nuthatches, among others, while lapwings, oystercatchers, snipe and curlews can be seen in wetlands and along the coast. Look out too for buzzards, swifts, goshawks and kingfishers, 

The park’s nature reserves – at Lymington and Keyhaven Marshes, Blashford Lakes (near Ringwood) and Roydon Woods (near Brockenhurst) – are great options if you’re planning a bird-watching trip. The Hampshire Ornithological Society has a useful page that highlights many of the best places in the New Forest for bird watching, and which species you can expect to find there.

Reptiles and amphibians 

All six of the UK’s native reptile species – adders, grass snakes, common and sand lizards, smooth snakes and slow-worms – can be found in the New Forest, particularly among the heather, logs and scrub of the park’s dry heathlands. Grass snakes, frogs and newts favour wetter areas. Sunny days are the best times to spot them in the wild, but they’re all (understandably) wary of predators and liable to depart pretty swiftly if you approach them.

If you’d like to get a better look at some of these, visit the New Forest Reptile Centre near Lyndhurst (usually open April to September, 10am to 4.30pm, free), which has both special viewing enclosures and a forest discovery trail.   

Insects and invertebrates

Thousands of insect species play a vital role in the park’s ecosystem. Bees, butterflies and moths are essential pollinators, while beetles and ants recycle nutrients that help maintain the rich soil. Many of these smaller animal types are a primary food source for birds, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians. More than 2000 species of beetle, from stag beetles to metallic-green rose chafers, live among flowers, decaying trees and stumps. There are also 450 species of spider here, including some that mimic ladybirds and wasps. Brightly coloured dragonflies and damselflies flourish in the park’s streams and bogs.

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust’s invertebrates page has a comprehensive guide to the insects you might spot in the park’s heathlands, woodlands and wetlands.

New Forest Wildlife Park

One of the most popular attractions in the New Forest, the New Forest Wildlife Park is home to more than 40 native and international species of mammals, birds and amphibians, from the humble hedgehog to grey wolves, foxes and wild boar.

With a focus on conservation and education, the park is set in natural woodland just outside Southampton, with enclosures that mimic the animals’ native habitats. Alongside these, the staff also manage breeding programmes for several endangered species and engage in rescue and rehabilitation work. 

The many highlights here include several types of otters and owls, walk-through enclosures housing deer and wallabies, and a glass house with native forest mammals. There’s a daily programme of keeper talks and feeding sessions (displayed at the entrance to the park), and if you’re prepared to splash out you can get up close to some of the animals with a keeper experience.

The park is open all year round from 10am to 4.30/5.30pm, and there’s a handy downloadable map on the website.

If you’d like to stay nearby, choose one of Pitchup's New Forest campsites within a short drive of the park. 

Wildlife photography in the New Forest

Best locations for wildlife photography 

If you’re a keen photographer and want to capture some pictures of the park’s wildlife, the following sites are great places to start:

• Blackwater and Bolderwood arboretums (deer)

• Beaulieu Heath (reptiles)

• Beaulieu River, Hatchet Pond and Lymington-Keyhaven Nature Reserve (water birds)

• The Northern Commons (grazing animals and birds of prey)

• Lepe Country Park (insects and birds)

Simple wildlife photography tips for beginners

• The best time for spotting wildlife is in the early mornings, when mist and emerging sunlight can add extra atmosphere, and late afternoons.

• Be patient. You may have to wait a while to get the best shot.

• Wear neutral clothing to blend into the environment, and keep quiet.

• Know your subject. Some basic research into animal behaviour will help you capture better pictures. 

• A telephoto lens will allow you to shoot pictures without disturbing the animals, and a tripod is useful to keep your camera steady, especially in low light.

• Using a ‘burst’ (continuous shooting) setting and a fast shutter speed is good for capturing fast-moving subjects, such as birds in flight, and in low light.

• Composition is important. Make the most of the forest and heathland landscapes when framing your pictures. Don’t always zoom in.

• Use your phone too. Most mobile devices now have good cameras, and can be great for spontaneous shots and post-photography editing.

• Take lots of pictures. You’re unlikely to get the perfect shot on your first attempt.

• Remember that respecting animals and their habitats is vital. Always keep a safe distance, and follow the New Forest Code.

Conservation efforts in the New Forest

Preserving the park’s precious habitats and protecting wildlife are vitally important. Some of the ongoing issues the park aims to tackle include habitat maintenance and restoration, pond conservation, preserving and managing ancient woodlands and encouraging pollinators, as well as managing recreational visitors and adapting to climate change.

How you can help

The National Park Authority’s conservation page is your first stop if you want to learn more about all of these issues. The volunteer page and Forestry England page both have details of how you can join in with local conservation projects, and the annual volunteer fair, held every January, helps connect volunteers with local conservation organisations.

Practical tips for spotting wildlife

Best times to visit

There’s always some sort of wildlife to spot when visiting the park. Here’s a brief guide to what you might expect to see in each season.

Spring

Spring is a good time for birdwatching, as woodland birds like cuckoos and wood warblers begin to nest. Butterflies and bees are prevalent in the park’s pastures and meadows, the woods are carpeted with bluebells, primroses and other wildflowers, and gorse flowers cover the park’s heathland. Baby animals are born in spring, of course, so look out for cute foals, fawns, rabbits and calves. 

Summer

Reptiles love warm summer days, there are lots of dragonflies and damselflies in wetland areas, and you’ll be able to spot plenty of butterflies too. Look out for wild orchids in June, and heather blooming on the heathland in late summer.

Autumn

Autumn (usually around October) is mating season for deer, so it’s a great time to pay a visit to Bolderwood. Fungi and mushrooms proliferate at ground level, and birds of prey including buzzards and kestrels can be seen hunting on the park’s heathlands. It’s also a fabulous time to take a walk in the woods, as the leaves change colour in a spectacular natural display. Watch out too for grazing pigs, turned loose to eat up the acorns and chestnuts that can harm some other animals.

Winter

Birds of prey including merlins and peregrine falcons are still active on the heathlands. Look out for wintering wildfowl in the park’s wetlands and nature reserves. Woodpeckers, nuthatches and treecreepers, among others, are easier to spot in the woodlands due to the lack of foliage. For the same reason, you might be lucky enough to spot foxes and badgers at dawn and dusk, and dusk is a great time to catch a starling murmuration.

What to bring

• Binoculars

• A camera (or mobile phone)

• A field guide or an app to help you identify local wildlife, insects and birds

• Appropriate clothing for the season, including waterproof items, gloves and warm layers in winter, and sturdy footwear

• Enough food and water to keep up your energy for the whole day

• A map or GPX file for navigation

• Insect repellent

Safety considerations

The New Forest is not an especially dangerous place, but it’s always worth being aware of the weather forecast so as not to spoil your day out, and understanding the terrain that you’re planning to explore. Last but not least, watch out for ticks (particularly between March and October). Wear long trousers and tuck them into your socks, use insect repellent, and try to avoid overgrown paths. Tweezers or a tick removal tool are useful should you happen to pick up one of these tiny hitchhikers. 

Planning your New Forest trip

The New Forest is a beautiful place to visit at any time of year, and with so many different types of landscape, there’s always a fascinating variety of wildlife species to look out for. Respect the natural environment, keep your eyes open, and you can’t go wrong. 

If you’d like to combine a wildlife watching expedition with a few nights under canvas, check out Pichup’s collection of the best campsites in the New Forest National Park.