Stay on track to help New Forest’s rare birds
PUBLISHED ON: 20 FEBRUARY 2023[Joint Press Release]
Local community groups and businesses are pledging their support to ‘stay on track’ when visiting the New Forest during this year’s ground nesting bird season. It is hoped that many more people using the Forest this spring will join them and take a few simple measures to help these rare and vulnerable birds.
The New Forest is a Special Protection Area for Birds and a critical breeding location for endangered ground nesting birds. Key species here include curlew, lapwing, around 15% of the UK’s visiting population of nightjar, and a third of the nation’s breeding population of Dartford warbler. Under pressure in many parts of the UK, helping them breed successfully in the New Forest has a key role to play in their overall survival.
Unlike most birds, ground nesting birds build nests and raise their young on the ground around woodland edges and on the open heathland areas of the Forest. Special quiet zones will be set up from March until late summer at critical breeding locations to help reduce the likelihood of disturbance resulting in nests being abandoned and chicks exposed to predators.
In the quiet zones, people are asked to stick to the main tracks and not to venture onto open, heathland areas where birds will be nesting. Those with dogs are asked to lend their support by keeping dogs with them on the tracks and where necessary using leads to keep them under close control.
A small number of car parks near these areas will be closed: Clayhill, Crockford, Crockford Clump, Hincheslea, Hincheslea Moor, Ocknell Pond, Ogdens, Shatterford and Yew Tree Heath.
Heather Gould, Chair of New Forest Dog Owners Group, said: ‘The New Forest is a really special place for bird life. It’s really simple for everyone who spends time here to help protect them by obeying the signs which are put out. Even better please avoid any sensitive area all together. We’d advise all dog walkers to avoid the protected heathlands if they can walk elsewhere during the nesting season. One suggestion is to use Forestry England’s robust tracks map which is on their website. In general, these paths steer clear of sensitive sites, although if a walker does come across any signs, clearly they should be obeyed. Walkers with their dogs under control, should stay on tracks.’
Everyone spending time on the Forest whether on foot, wheels or hooves can join the campaign by staying on the main tracks and looking out for special signage in the most sensitive locations.
Orange signs indicate areas very close to breeding grounds and can be seen in locations including car parks and on the main tracks. Red “stop” signs highlight nesting sites in the immediate vicinity and ask the public to avoid these areas.
Richard Taylor, Chair of the New Forest Cycle Working Group and Vice Chair of the New Forest Access Forum, said: ‘The New Forest is a haven for wildlife, making it a magical place to cycle and tune into the sounds of so many different types of bird song. To keep this place special it’s vitally important to cycle on the way-marked cycle routes, especially during the ground nesting bird season, and not to veer off across open areas and heathlands. When planning your route, know where the quiet breeding zones are located and which car parks are closed, so you can avoid these areas.’
Hannah Marsh, British Horse Society Regional Manager for the South of England, said: ‘In spring and summer, many birds make their nests on the ground on heaths and open areas of the Forest. Making small adjustments to where we ride during this time can make a big difference to their survival. We encourage all horse riders to stick to the main tracks.’
This year local businesses are also supporting the campaign by displaying and sharing information about the rare birds with their customers.
Matthew Lawson, New Forest Business Partnership Chairman and owner of The Thatched Cottage, Brockenhurst, said: ‘We all have a collective responsibility to care for the special wildlife here in the New Forest, particularly rare ground nesting birds. Whether it’s businesses, residents or visitors-alike we can all do our part. We are happy to be able to share tips with the local community to raise awareness of how best to look after these birds and would encourage other Forest businesses to do the same.’
Further Information:
More information about ground nesting birds in the New Forest can be found at: https://www.forestryengland.uk/new-forest/ground-nesting-birds
www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/conservation/protecting-nature/ground-nesting-birds
For a full list of up-to-date car park closures visit www.forestryengland.uk/article/new-forest-car-park-closures
A map showing the robust tracks most suitable for dog walking in the Forest can be found here
Ground Nesting Bird Facts:
Dartford warbler: This small, dark, long-tailed warbler is resident in the UK. It will perch on top of a gorse stem to sing but is often seen as a small flying shape bobbing between bushes. Their nest is not on the ground, but close to it in gorse or heather.
Nightjar: Travelling from Africa to breed in the New Forest, they are found in heathland, around woodland edges and in recently cleared forest. The New Forest is a stronghold for them with around 15% of the UK population.
Woodlark: These secretive and rare birds build their nests in heather and the felled woodland areas of the Forest. Woodlarks are best seen and heard singing in February and March early in the morning, The New Forest holds a significant 16% or so of the UK population.
Wood warbler: One of the largest warblers in Europe, it has bright yellow upper parts, throat and upper chest and white under parts. They are currently on the highest conservation priority, with species needing urgent action.
Stonechat: Males have striking black heads with white around the side of their neck, orange-red breasts and a mottled brown back. Females lack the male’s black head but have brown backs and an orange tinge to their chests.
Meadow pipit: This small, brown, streaky bird has been declining in the UK since the mid-1970s, resulting in this species being included on the amber list of conservation concern.
Skylark: These small birds are streaky brown with a small crest, which can be raised when the bird is excited or alarmed, and a white-sided tail. It is renowned for its display flight, vertically up in the air. Its recent and dramatic population declines make it a Red List species.
Curlew: These large wading birds with majestic beaks nest in scrapes on the ground. Their plumage is beautifully camouflaged to help disguise them from potential predators. The chicks can run around just hours after hatching. This species is globally threatened and is classed as red, the highest conservation priority.
Redshank: These ‘wardens of the marsh’ call out noisily when they are disturbed or feel threatened. The parent birds make a ‘tent’ out of the grass around the nest to help camouflage it. The birds are vulnerable to cold winter weather, drainage of habitat and disturbance. They are now very rare in the Forest away from the coast with only a few breeding records in the last few years.
Snipe: This small wader is found in the Forest’s bogs and mires. When disturbed they fly off rapidly in a zig zag pattern. Their high display flights feature ‘drumming’, the noise of outer tail feathers vibrating in the air as the bird swoops down.
Lapwing: Lapwings are often nicknamed “peewits”, after the calls which are given in swooping display flights. Breeding lapwings have undergone widespread and marked declines in the UK over the last few decades, making the New Forest increasingly important for them. This species is globally threatened and is classed as red, the highest conservation priority.
