Record numbers of key ground nesting bird found in the New Forest - New Forest National Park Authority
Conservationists have recorded the highest ever numbers of woodlark, a protected species of ground nesting bird, in the New Forest. A survey by Forestry England and Hampshire Ornithological Society volunteers has revealed that numbers of these birds, only typically found in southern and eastern parts of the UK, have increased by over 50% in the last five years.
Around 100 volunteers surveyed 300 square kilometres of the New Forest to record woodlark numbers. They counted a total of 260 breeding pairs, a big increase from the 167 recorded in the same survey in 2019. This makes the New Forest one of the UK’s most important locations for this species with around 10% of the population estimated to be found here.
The New Forest is a Special Protection Area for birds and the survey, funded by the Verderers of the New Forest Higher Level Stewardship Scheme, was carried out to help assess the impact of Forestry England’s work to boost the number of birds successfully breeding here. Over the last 15 years, the organisation has returned large areas of forest to heathland to create more of the habitat relied upon by many rare and protected birds and other types of wildlife.
Woodlarks are small birds with a streaky brown plumage and can be identified by their beautiful song, striking white stripes over each eye and spikey head crest. They nest on the ground in heathlands and areas of the woodlands where trees have recently been felled.
The New Forest is an important breeding location for these and several other species of rare ground nesting birds including lapwing, Dartford warbler, curlew and nightjar. Under pressure in many parts of the UK due to habitat loss and disturbance by people, with several species at a critically low level, helping these types of birds breed successfully is key to their survival.
Posted On: 27/02/2025
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