Walkers are being asked to help protect rare ground-nesting birds in the New Forest this spring by staying on the main forest tracks and keeping dogs with them there.

The call comes after recent surveys show the numbers of wading birds such as the iconic curlew are at critically low levels.  

Under pressure in many parts of the UK, helping them breed successfully in the New Forest has a key role to play in their overall survival.

Surveys by Hampshire Ornithological Society and Forestry England and have revealed that whilst the fortunes of some species of ground-nesting birds have improved in recent years, others still remain under considerable pressure.

Curlews, a key species of wader, in the New Forest are in decline and now at critically low levels. They have been affected by a mix of pressures including changing weather patterns, disturbance and predation.

Nightjars which travel all the way from Africa to nest in the forest have also seen their numbers here decline by around 18%.

Conversely, Dartford warblers, a small bird that nests in gorse or close to the ground, have done well with the highest ever numbers recorded in the forest and nearby locations in 2023. The numbers make it one of the most important UK locations for this species.

Woodlarks, a species that like to nest on the ground in heathland areas especially where trees have recently been felled, have also been found in record numbers in the New Forest. The rise is in part believed to be due to the return of large areas of the forest to heathland by Forestry England over the last 15 years. 

Unlike most birds, ground-nesting birds build nests and raise their young on the ground around woodland edges and on the open heathland areas of the New Forest.

This makes it especially important to avoid startling parents causing them to leave their nests and leave eggs and chicks exposed to predators.

How to help protect ground-nesting birds

Special quiet zones will once again be set up at the most sensitive breeding locations in the New Forest.

In these areas, a small number of nearby Forestry England car parks will be closed. Signs across the forest will highlight the presence of the birds and help avoid disturbance to them as they attempt to breed and raise chicks.

Car parks closed during the breeding season include:

• Clayhill,
• Crockford,
• Crockford Clump,
• Hincheslea,
• Hincheslea Moor,
• Ocknell Pond,
• Ogdens,
• Shatterford
• Yew Tree Heath,
• Beaulieu Heath (partially closed).

Special orange signs indicate areas very close to breeding grounds and can be seen in locations including car parks and on the main tracks. Red “stop” signs highlight nesting sites in the immediate vicinity and ask the public to avoid these areas.

People are asked to stick to the main, gravel tracks and not to venture onto open, heathland areas where birds will be nesting. Those with dogs are asked to keep them on the tracks and, where necessary, use leads to keep them under close control.

New Forest National Park Authority chair Victoria Mander said: ‘The New Forest National Park is a world capital for wildlife and is the last stronghold for many rare birds whose survival is under threat.

“We can all help by checking routes before heading out in the forest so we can avoid the quiet breeding zones, and by keeping ourselves and our dogs on the tracks.

“Although you might not see them, rare birds such as curlew and lapwing will be nesting and rearing their precious young nearby.”