Animals and Wildlife of The New Forest

Protecting Rare and Endangered Animals

So what is so special about the animals and wildlife of the New Forest?

The New Forest National Park is home to many wild, rare and endangered animals in England, with the varied habitats from wet bogs, valley bogs, wet heaths, dry heaths to deciduous woodland. These habitats have been lost elsewhere in the UK giving The New Forest an opportunity to support and assist in the survival of many otherwise lost and amazing creatures. Not only animals that are rare survive in The New Forest but plants too, again thanks to the varied growing conditions within the Forest itself.

For the passionate entomologist (insect enthusiast) there are; New Forest cicada, Southern damselfly and the mole cricket.

For botanists there are at the right time of year rare plants too including; marsh gentian, marsh clubmoss and several types of sundew can be found. Also magnificent examples of indigenous trees can be found within the wooded areas of the National Park.

For the bird watchers there are; Dartford Warbler, Woodlark, Northern Lapwing, Wheatear, Ring Ouzel, Hen Harrier, Great Grey Shrike, Red Kite, Eurasian Curlew, European Nightjar, Eurasian Hobby, European Stonechat, Common Redstart, Tree Pipit, Common Snipe, Meadow Pipit, Wood Warbler, Stock Pigeon, Honey Buzzard, Northern Goshawk, Common Buzzard and the Common Raven.

There are also all three British snakes to be found within the Forest too, they are so rare that they are now protected and can no longer be caught or killed. They are The adder , The grass snake and The smooth snake.

Although The New Forest is home to many rare animals some others have not been so lucky; such as the Wessex Saddleback pig and the red squirrel. There is a reintroduction initiative underway to reintroduce the sand lizard and the great crested newt to The National Park.

Common Animals of The New Forest

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Amongst the undergrowth, hiding in the shadows are the shy forest deer. With the New Forest being home to Fallow deer, roe deer, red deer, sika deer and the muntjac deer. Found wondering free are the Forests many ponies, with The New Forest Pony being the most famous but there are several other breeds wandering free too. They include the Shetlands, Galloways, Highlands, Herefords, Dexters, Kerrys and British Whites.

Several types of bat can been seen at night flying in the dusk of the New Forest. There are also different types of frogs and toads to be found in around the wetlands and bogs of the Forest.

Invaders of The New Forest

In amongst some of the rarest animals, birds and insects of Britain are invaders from other shores threatening the survival of many of the species found only in The New Forest. Brought to The New Forest by mistake many finding themselves trapped on board ships, only to land on the coast of England and make their way to the New Forest and survive at the expense of the indigenous animals of The New Forest. Amongst these invaders are the North American Grey Squirrel, replacing the British Red squirrel. Along with the European Polecat, the European Otter and the Mink – although the Mink was brought over from America to be breed for its fur, many escaped or were released into the wild. All have brought with them problems for the natural inhabitants of The New Forest National Park and the Forestry Commission is working hard to bring about a balance for all inhabitants to live peacefully.

We should also rank ourselves as invades to The New Forest and remember that what we do has an effect on the beauty we have come to see and appreciate and we must do all we can to preserve The New Forest National Park for generations to come.

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