New Forest wildlife

A world capital for wildlife

The New Forest is rich in wildlife thanks to the wonderful mosaic of wet and dry heaths, mires and bogs, ancient pasture woodland, coniferous plantations, acid grasslands, mixed farmland and coastline.

This combination of natural environments is hard to find anywhere else in western Europe. These pages help you discover some of the area’s most unusual, interesting or easy-to-spot wildlife.

Creatures of the Forest

The New Forest supports an extraordinary range of wildlife, shaped by its mix of woodland, heathland, wetlands and coastline.

From deer moving quietly through the trees and bats emerging at dusk to feed, to birds nesting on open heathland, wading birds along the shore and reptiles basking in sunny clearings, these animals are closely connected to the landscapes they depend on.

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Bats

Bats are fascinating animals, full of many mysteries still left for us to discover.

Bats Bats

Deer

Five species of deer found in the wild in the UK call the New Forest home.

Deer Deer

Heathland Birds

With some of the largest areas of heath in Europe, the New Forest is particularly important for heathland birds.

Heathland Birds Heathland Birds

Reptiles

The New Forest National Park is home to all six of the UK’s native reptile species.

Reptiles Reptiles

Wading Birds

The New Forest is very important for wading birds during their breeding season.

Wading birds Wading birds

Rare tadpole shrimp in shallow muddy water among grass stems, showing its oval shell and long tail appendages

Tadpole shrimp or triops

Discover these amazing crustaceans!

Tadpole shrimp or triops Tadpole shrimp or triops

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Small but mighty wildlife

Insects and other invertebrates play a vital role in the New Forest’s ecosystems, from pollinating plants and recycling nutrients to supporting birds, bats and other wildlife.

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Beetles

There are a remarkable 2,600 kinds of beetles in the New Forest National Park.

Beetles Beetles

Butterflies

The New Forest boasts an impressive array of uncommon and special butterfly species.

Butterflies Butterflies

Dragonflies and damselflies

With clean streams, more wet bogs than anywhere else in north-west Europe and many ponds, the New Forest is a particularly important place for dragonflies.

Dragonflies and damselflies Dragonflies and damselflies