.
Normal TextMedium TextLarge Text
   Register  Login  Historical » Natural History » Ground Nesting Birds  
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.


 
 



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.



RIGHT CLICK & SAVE TARGET AS TO DOWNLOAD VIDEO

This project is supported by:
New Forest National Park Authority, RSPB, Forestry Commission
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

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nightjar
Nocturnal. Can be seen hawking for food at dusk & dawn.
Pointed wings & a long tail, a shape similar to a kestrel or cuckoo.
Grey-brown, mottled, streaked & barred plumage are ideal camouflage.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Curlew
The largest European wading bird, instantly recognisable on winter estuaries or summer moors with its long down-curved bill,
brown upperparts & long legs.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Redshank
A 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.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Terms Of Use Page Top Privacy Statement