Winter Wildlife in the New Forest: What You’ll See When the Crowds Have Gone
Nature lovers, photographers and couples looking for a tranquil escape abundant in nature, this one is for you. A winter break during the quieter months, a cosy retreat and the New Forest National Park all to yourself.
The festive period has passed and now you can sit back and enjoy the peace and quiet; less crowds, quieter trails and a slower pace, allowing you to truly explore and discover the richness of the New Forest’s winter wildlife experiences.
When we slow down we can take more in; this isn’t simply the chance to walk through a winter landscape, but if you’re looking for more; to spot rare birds and admire ancient trees; to watch deer roam and learn about commoning or the return of the elusive Pine Martin, our New Forest hotel will be the perfect base from which you can seek beauty and a nature-rich break.
Here, from the luxury of our New Forest hotel, discover and learn; Wild New Forest offer expert guided tours year-round, from ‘Wild Walks’ taking you off the beaten track and relaxed wanders, to birdwatching experiences that focus on seasonal highlights and Boat Tours right on our very own Beaulieu River.
You are sure to find an event that will capture you and connect you to this wonderful National Park for life. Wild New Forest also offers bespoke tours, so if you have an ideal day of discovery in mind, they will work with you to create a specific walk or tour.
The uniqueness of winter
What is it about a misty winter morning on the heathland; the cool morning air and the anticipation of a day spent in nature? It’s exciting and full of promise; with quieter walking trails, spotting wildlife is easier during the winter months. Vegetation is lower, offering you windows into the depths of the woodland to see the deer wander and feed.
Get out at dawn or dusk for your best chance to watch the deer; spotted more easily through bare trees. In the New Forest National Park there are five species: Fallow, Roe, Red, Sika and Muntjac. Nearby, guests love to visit the Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary; a peaceful place to sit and admire the graceful creatures feeding in the meadow.
The hardy New Forest pony is free-roaming and happy rain or shine, donned with their thick winter coats they look majestic and beautiful grazing in the frost-covered heath or wandering through the misty woods.
Spot too our New Forest donkeys; often walking through our quaint New Forest villages, foraging for winter greenery, or the occasional Highland cow doesn’t look out of place in our winter landscape, used as part of the ancient tradition of communing to help manage the landscape.
The New Forest National Park is home to the Dartford warbler, according to thenewforest.co.uk, ‘look out for a bird with a dark, blue-grey back and a rust-coloured underneath, perching on a gorse bush.’
Or spot the beautiful pink and grey waxwings with their distinctive crest and listen out for the Great-spotted woodpecker, which in January, begins its courtship displays.
On a different day during your winter break, head to the coast for birdwatching at nearby coastal nature reserves. According to thenewforest.co.uk, Lymington Keyhaven is a sanctuary for winter migratory birds. Lookout for Avocets, Brent geese, Curlews, Wigeons, Pintails and Redshanks, whilst if you look out over the Solent, you may also spot a grey seal.
Through the winter not every animal hibernates; spot foxes out foraging, and signs and trails of badgers; squirrels scampering through the trees and small mammals feeding and sheltering under the gorse and vegetation that remains over the winter.
And what of the flora? The gorse’s yellow buds bring colour to the winter landscape from December, the red berries of the holly bush pop against the green and the mosses and lichens showcase their array of colours without the overhead canopies to shade them.
A New Forest winter weekend break can be so much more than a few days off; it’s the chance to step into another world; to learn and discover the true natural beauty of our National Park and to fall back in love with this magical season, more abundant than you could have imagined.