UNDER YOUR FEET!
Ground-nesting birds
in the New Forest
The New Forest National Park is home to a range
of
special birds which nest on the ground.
Chris Packham looks at the New Forest's
managed heathlands, the birds that nest
there, and what we can do to help them.
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Ground nesting
birds are vulnerable
between 1st March and 31st July.
Keep yourself (and your dog) to main tracks
Move away quickly if you see disturbed or distressed parent
birds.
Encourage others to do the same.
This project is supported by: Forestry Commission,
New Forest National Park Authority, RSPB. |
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Dartford Warbler
Small, dark & long-tailed, resident in the
UK. Population crashed to
a few pairs in the 1960s, since when it has gradually recovered.
It will perch on top of a gorse stem to sing |
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Nightjar
Nocturnal. Can be seen hawking for food at
dusk & dawn.
Pointed wings & a long tails, a shape similar to a kestrel or
cuckoo.
Grey-brown, mottled, streaked & barred plumage are ideal
camouflage. |
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Woodlark
Streaky brown, a buffy-white eye-stripe meets
across the nape.
A well developed crest on its crown is not always conspicuous.
In flight the short tail & broad, rounded wings are noticeable. |
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Lapwing
AKA the peewit in imitation of its display
calls, lapwing describes its wavering flight. Its black & white
appearance & round-winged shape
in flight make it distinctive, even without its splendid crest.
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Curlew
The largest European wading bird, instantly
recognisable on
winter estuaries or summer moors with its long
down-curved bill,
brown upperparts & long legs. |
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Redshank
Medium-sized wading bird. Longish red legs
& a long, straight bill.
Grey-brown above & whitish below. In flight, it shows very
obvious
white rear edges to the wings & a white 'V-shape' up its back. |
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Snipe
Medium sized, skulking wading birds with
short legs & longstraight
bills. Mottled brown above, with paler buff stripes on the back,
dark streaks on the chest & pale under parts. |
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