The New Forest

[Old-Man-George]

Hi all,

I'm off to the New Forest for a week in October. Hoping to photograph wildlife, and autumn landscapes (although recently, it's looked like autumn will be over by then).

I'd love to know if anyone has any tips and recommendations for things to see and photograph there. I'm sure there must be lots of great locations there, but it'll be my first visit, and it's proving very difficult to find specifically where to go for what, or which area is best for what. I'd love to get some tip-off's from locals or regular visitors.

Thanks in advance,

George

[Ukwildlifeo]

There are some New forest residents on here who will probably be better placed to answer than me but I've visited the last 3 Septembers (sadly not this year) and here are the places I try to get to each year:

Crockford bridge/stream - great for dragonflies and large marsh grasshoppers. October will probably have a few stragglers of these I'd imagine.

New forest reptile centre - not sure if its still open in October but has captive examples of most or amphibians and reptiles and nice walk in the wood nearby.

Bolderwood - there is a deer viewing platform (though the deer may be away rutting) but the longest path route (red?) takes you down the hill to the stream where the pine trees often have crossbills flying high up in the canopy. Still the only place I've ever seen them!

New forest otter and owl sanctuary/wildlife park - it seems to have 2 names at the mo but a good place to see captive owls, otters and british wildlife.

[mbaldw]

Hi George,

roughly where abouts in the Forest are you looking to stay and is there anything in particular you want to try and photograph wildlife-wise (i.e. mammals, plants, insects etc.)?

Cheers,
Marc.

[monkey]

Hi

I agree with Mark that if you can give us an idea what you would like to see in Wildlife and Scenery we all can advise you . The New Forest has so much to see and you will have a wonderful time

Linda

[Old-Man-George]

Thanks guys,

We're staying in the Woodgreen area, at the North, backing on to the forest. We'll happily walk from there, or drive anywhere further afield. We're also thinking of renting bikes one day (a good site we can rent bikes and leave the car would be appreciated, thanks).
For wildlife, I guess I'm most interested in mammals, but will stop to photograph anything that moves along the way. I'd love to see foxes and badgers, but I appreciate you can't just publicise the sites where they're living. I think the ponies will make a nice photo if they're within a nice wider view.
For landscapes, I really love trees. Interested by the idea of Rhinefield Ornamental Drive - low sun through the trees. That sort of thing. But also any nice view, forest opening, pathway through the trees.

Thanks for your advice.
I appreciate you taking the time to help,

George

[Jason Claxton]

Hi George

Blashford Lakes,a Hampshire Wildlife Trust reserve, is also worth a look,there has been a Great White Egret,there for years now!

[mbaldw]

Hi George,

Linda and Si know the Forest way better than I do but, in addition to the suggestions Jason has already made, I would recommend:

Queen's Meadow - Later in the afternoon is a great place to watch and listen to Fallow deer during the rut. There are also foxes in that vicinity and a wander around the peripheral woodland (e.g. Brinkham) usually leads to various birds of prey (quite a few Tawny's in the region, but a nightmare to find them!), plenty of insects and fungi, the odd Roe and Red deer too.

Bolderwood Ornamental Drive - Any of the mixed deciduous woodland all along the drive is excellent for deer, ponies, fungi, insects and birds (esp. Tawny owls and passerines). It's also a great place for landscape shots, especially in autumn.

Deerleep - Further up towards Southampton, but directly opposite the New Forest Wildlife Park, if you decide to visit. This is my 'local' spot and if you get off the main cycle track you can find plenty of insects, birds and deer. It's also a very reliable spot for ponies and cattle.

Blackwater / Fletcher's Thorns - Walks from any of the carparks along this stretch of road are excellent, although Blackwater carpark gets busy quickly. Depending on where they choose to rut and how many decent-sized stags make it back onto the Forest, this can be a good location for Red deer.

There are loads of great spots in the Forest, but most of them I have yet to visit. I'm sure Linda will be able to point you to some other good locations.

Cheers,
Marc.

p.s. When in October were you planning to visit? I have some time off early in the month and I'm hoping to spend some of it in the Forest.

[Old-Man-George]

Thank you. That's really helpful. Have looked those up, and made a note of them. Should help a lot. I was starting to feel like I'd get there knowing there are so many hidden gems, but not knowing where to look.

BTW, we're going in late October. About 23rd-29th. It's normally a good time for autumn colours, but the way the weather has changed, it doesn't feel like there'll be any leaves left on the trees by then.

[monkey]

Hi George

I have pm'd you some ideas of places to go and I hope they prove to be good for the autumn colours and some wildlife. If you get chance to go out with Marc I would recommend it he is very knowledgable just have a look at his website its brilliant with some great photos
Have a great time and we may bump into you as we all will be trying to get out in the forest

Linda

[Old-Man-George]

Thanks all. I'll post a little report up here when I'm back, so that might help people who find this thread in the future.

George