SPA description
(information as published 2001)
New Forest
The New Forest is located in southern Hampshire, west of the
Solent in southern England. It comprises a complex mosaic of
habitats overlying mainly nutrient-poor soils over plateau gravels.
The major components are the extensive wet and dry heaths with
their rich valley mires and associated wet and dry grasslands, the
ancient pasture woodlands and inclosure woodlands, the network of
clean rivers and streams, and frequent permanent and temporary
ponds. The area supports important populations of breeding birds
associated with such habitats, including Nightjar Caprimulgus
europaeus, Woodlark Lullula arborea and Dartford
Warbler Sylvia undata. Breeding Honey Buzzard Pernis
apivorus and wintering Hen Harriers Circus cyaneus
are also notable.
Qualifying species
For individual species accounts visit the Species
Accounts section
This site qualifies under Article 4.1 of the
Directive (79/409/EEC) by supporting populations of European
importance of the following species listed on Annex I of the
Directive:
During the breeding season;
Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata, 538 pairs
representing at least 33.6% of the breeding population in Great
Britain
Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus, 2 pairs representing
at least 10.0% of the breeding population in Great Britain
Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus, 300 pairs
representing at least 8.8% of the breeding population in Great
Britain
Woodlark Lullula arborea, 184 pairs representing at
least 12.3% of the breeding population in Great Britain (Count as
at 1997)
Over winter;
Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus, 15 individuals
representing at least 2.0% of the wintering population in Great
Britain
Note:
Many designated sites are on private land: the listing of
a site in these pages does not imply any right of public
access.