New Forest heathland restoration surveys 2023-24

In 2023-24 a series of ecological surveys were conducted across three heathland restoration sites in the New Forest National Park to assess the recovery of specialist heathland animals and plants. The surveys were delivered by Prof Russell Wynn of Wild New Forest and the New Forest Biodiversity Forum (sponsored by Kairos Philanthropy Fund), in partnership with Forestry England. The aim was to raise awareness amongst the public about the ecological importance of heathlands and the value of the heathland restoration programme, and to generate data to inform future heathland restoration and management.

Aerial view of the heathland restoration survey site at Dunces Arch

The full heathland restoration survey report can be downloaded as a PDF file at the link below and the executive summary of the report is appended:

Heathland_Restoration_Survey_Report(2023-24).pdf

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In summer 2025, we recruited talented young wildlife film-maker, Matt Roseveare, as a New Forest Biodiversity Forum 'Associate' to produce a video showcasing the results of the survey and restoration work (Matt's website including a showreel of his previous work can be viewed here). Matt worked with Russ and Forestry England staff to capture hi-res drone and macro footage from the heathland restoration sites. The resulting video contains stunning footage including mating Glow-worms, hunting Nightjars, and fantastic aerial vistas, and can be viewed on the New Forest Biodiversity Forum YouTube channel here.

Matt filming Glow-worms at night

This story was also issued as a Forestry England news release on 16 Sept 2025 and featured on regional BBC TV News and on BBC News Online here.

Executive Summary

This report contains the results of ecological surveys conducted in 2023-24 to assess the response of animals and fungi to heathland restoration works conducted by Forestry England at three sites within the New Forest SSSI; the surveys were delivered by Wild New Forest as part of the New Forest Biodiversity Forum and with sponsorship from Kairos Philanthropy Fund, in partnership with Forestry England.

Nearly 60 hours of field-based survey was conducted by a single observer at the three sites over the two years, with survey methodology and timing designed to be repeatable and to ensure sufficient coverage of target species; additional surveys are being conducted by Footprint Ecology focussed on the vegetation response.

A wide variety of specialist heathland animals and fungi were shown to have occupied the restored sites within one to two years of conifer clearance, even though restoration of the vegetation community (and the visual appearance) will likely take many years.

Breeding Nightjar, Stonechat, and Woodlark were recorded at all three survey sites, and a non-breeding Dartford Warbler at one site; a wide variety of other bird species were seen using the sites for foraging, including wintering Snipe.

Five species of bat were positively identified via acoustic detection, with Common Pipistrelle and the red-listed Serotine detected at all survey sites - both species were concentrated along wooded site margins, i.e. new ‘edge’ habitats.

Five species of reptile and amphibian were recorded including Common Lizard at two sites, while records of Slow-worm, Common Frog, Common Toad, and Palmate Newt mostly related to individuals found sheltering under woody debris.

Although detailed study of the invertebrate assemblage was beyond the scope of this study, several species that require open or edge habitats were recorded including Glow-worms at all sites and the nationally scarce Dusky Cockroach and Wood-cricket.

Grazing livestock (primarily New Forest Ponies) were observed in small numbers at all sites, and both Fallow and Roe Deer were sporadically recorded; consequently, pony and deer dung was widespread and often locally abundant.  

A total of 13 nationally notable fungi species were recorded, including Nail Fungus at all sites and several other coprophilous fungi associated with pony dung. No conifer-associated mycorrhizal fungi were seen, presumably due to conifer removal and the associated soil disturbance, although conifer wood-rotting fungi were locally abundant. Small numbers of notable heathland and bonfire specialist fungi were also observed.

The survey fundings have implications for future heathland restoration work, including the retention of woody debris and bonfire sites as substrate and/or shelter for a wide variety of specialist animals and fungi.