New Forest help

[adam h]

Hi
I live in London but am from Gosport on the south coast. am planning a trip to the New Forest with my parents next week. Would love to know if there are any Great Grey Shrikes still around, heard there'd been 1 nr beaulieu rd station? Also where is best to see Crossbills, Hawfinches and Lesser Spotteds. Am thinking of Mark Ash or Slufters Enclosure, but welcome any tips!
thanks

[Kayleigh]

Hi and welcome the site. Some will be along to answer you question for you. Enjoy the site.

[LoveT]

Hello Adam and welcome to WAB. I can't help, but maybe Deer Stalker will be able to help you with this one!

Thea

[Deer Stalker]

Hi Adam. Welcome to WAB.

The Great Grey Shrikes have moved on now as far as I know. There were about 4 on the Forest this winter, with the Beaulieu Road one a good show-er.

Crossbills
You can see them in pretty much every Inclosure on the Forest, but the big blocks of conifer are best. As you say Slufters would be a good place also Highland Water & North Oakley Inclosures are more examples.

Hawfinches
Ancient Pasture Woods are best, though they do go into the Inclosures too. This is the easiest time to see them as they are calling & piping away at the tops of the trees, but as the trees leaf out they become more difficult to spot.
Over the past couple of months I have seen them every time I go to Mark Ash Wood, Denny Wood, Anses Wood, Brinken Wood & Great Huntley Bank (along the Highland Water). Other places you could also try where I have seen them would be Eyeworth Wood, Bratley Wood, Pitts Wood Inclosure, Rushpole Wood & Red Shoot Wood.

Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers
Every Wood Mentioned above has them. A few more places I have seen them are Holmsley Inclosure, Anderwood & Burley Outer Rails Inclosure, Wooton Coppice Inclosure (along the Avon Water) & Frame Wood

Hope this helps.

[adam h]

thanks U so much to you all, feel v welcome straight off, lovely. Must admit had seen your postings Deer Stalker and figured U are the 'main man' whe it comes to the forest, so thanks ever so for the help. Weather permitting I will look to be wandering around those areas from v early mon n tues mornings! Off to hyde park after work tonight to (hopefully) see tawny owl family.
best
Adam