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This report aims to summarise some of the notable wildlife sightings and conservation news in the New Forest National Park in February 2025. To contribute to future editions, please contact the New Forest Biodiversity Forum Chair ( russ@wildnewforest.org.uk ).   Notable wildlife sightings February was a rather unremarkable month for weather in the New Forest, with temperature and rainfall about average overall, and sunshine a little below average (contributing to the general feeling that this winter has been rather gloomy). However, this masked a cooler first half of the month and milder second half, as the wind veered from east to west.   Scarlet (or Ruby) Elf Cup on 23 Feb 2025 (photo: Marion Nesbitt) Aside from the now regular sightings of White-tailed Eagles and Spoonbills, there were few ornithological highlights during February. At least three White-tailed Eagles were seen at various coastal and inland sites, and up to 20 Spoonbills continued to spend the winter at the coast between Calshot and Hurst. The coastal strip also produced records of several notable winter visitors including Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, four Slavonian Grebes, Velvet Scoter, Spotted Redshank, Little Gull, Short-eared Owl, and Black Redstart. A nice colour-ring observation relates to a Curlew ringed as a chick in The Netherlands on 15 June 2023 that was photographed on the Beaulieu River on 02 Feb. Inland, a sighting of two Ring-necked Parakeets at Acres Down on 17 Feb was notable (and unwelcome!). Colour-ringed Curlew on 02 Feb 2025, ringed as a chick in The Netherlands on 15 June 2023 (photo: Peter Gloyns) In other news, the first Adders were reported on 19 Feb, while the heroic efforts of Ringwood and Poulner Toad Patrol saw 199 Common Toads saved between 26 Jan and 23 Feb, as well as ten Common Frogs and 106 Palmate/Smooth newts. These numbers compare to 23 Common Toads and 12 Palmate/Smooth Newts lost as road casualties, indicating that an order of magnitude more amphibians were saved than were lost - a great result! Adders on 27 Feb 2025 (photo: John Foreman)   Wildlife and conservation news The Environment Agency have purchased nearly 400 acres of farmland around Keyhaven (see here and here ), which follows the recent announcement that a wider land area here has been purchased as part of the Kingwell (Aubrey) Limited Natural Capital Scheme. This latest acquisition includes parts of the Avon Water and land around Aubrey and Vidle Van Farms, and is a key part of the Environment Agency’s Habitat Compensation Restoration Programme in the Hampshire/Sussex region. Although the land will remain in agricultural use for at least the next five years, it will gradually transition to an extensive area of managed habitat creation through a combination of habitat compensation work and the Natural Capital Scheme.   A new study (see here and here ) by Bournemouth University and the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) has revealed that Foxes in the New Forest are consuming significant quantities of human food waste, contributing to an artificially high population that is negatively impacting some species of breeding wader. The team analysed the stomach contents of 447 Foxes that were removed by local wildlife managers, and found that, on average, 14% of their diet was made of anthropogenic food sources. Scavenging of discarded food waste in bin bags was thought to be a significant contributor, but there is hope that an imminent transition to wheelie bins in the New Forest will help reduce this source.   A member of the Wild New Forest Facebook community posted the graph below showing the latest New Forest livestock numbers, based on the register of commoning ‘marking fees’ paid to the Verderers. Although not a direct measure of the actual numbers of livestock on the open forest, it nevertheless shows the ‘boom and bust’ of cattle numbers in the last decade in response to changing agri-environment payments, and the fact the pony numbers have shown a more gradual increase from 4500 to 5500. Graph showing proxy for New Forest livestock numbers, based on the Verderers marking register (provided by Tony Hockley)   Finally, many thanks as always to all those who contributed their observations and images to the various online portals that provide source material for these reports, particularly Going Birding , Hampshire Fungus Recording Group , and the Wild New Forest and Hantsmoths Facebook sites.

This report aims to summarise some of the notable wildlife sightings and conservation news in the New Forest National Park in January 2025. To contribute to future editions, please contact the New Forest Biodiversity Forum Chair ( russ@wildnewforest.org.uk ).   Notable wildlife sightings The year opened with a relatively cool, calm, and changeable month, with below average temperatures and windspeed, above average rainfall, and an average amount of sunshine in the New Forest area.   A Lesser Yellowlegs found at Keyhaven Marsh on 02 Jan kick-started the ornithological year and was regularly reported until 18 Jan - this is only the second mid-winter record for Hampshire of this rare trans-Atlantic vagrant. The New Forest coast struck again on 12 Jan when a male Ferruginous Duck was located with Tufted Ducks on Normandy Lagoon, but it soon moved eastwards and was relocated on Brownwich Pond (near Titchfield) the following day; this is presumed to be the same bird as that seen on 19 Jan 2024, which also quickly relocated to Brownwich Pond. Other notable sightings in the Lymington-Hurst area included Red-necked Grebe, Short-eared Owl, and Water Pipit, two Slavonian Grebes, three juvenile White-tailed Eagles, and up to 20 Spoonbills. Lepe produced Red-necked Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, and two Slavonian Grebes, with a Great White Egret and up to seven Spoonbills there, and a flock of about 50 Barnacle Geese over on 04 Jan. The only notable inland record was a Great White Egret at Fulliford Passage on 12 Jan.   Lesser Yellowlegs at Keyhaven Marsh on 02 Jan 2025 (photo: Steve Laycock) As expected for the time of year, there were few other notable wildlife reports, although the first frogspawn was seen on 24 Jan and a Common Lizard was photographed on 31 Jan. Common Lizard on 31 Jan 2025 (photo: Keith Mantle)   Wildlife and conservation news The Solent State of Nature Report was released in Jan 2025 by the Solent Seascape Project. The report can be accessed here and highlights the international importance of the Solent for wintering and breeding birds, and as a nursery area for fish, rays, and sharks. The report also documents the alarming decline of oyster reef, saltmarsh, and seagrass meadow habitats in the region, but encouragingly highlights current initiatives to restore these habitats.     Two interesting scientific papers documenting the potential environmental impacts of dogs were picked up by national and specialist media in Jan 2025. There is already increasing awareness of the issue of pesticides associated with spot-on flea treatments for dogs getting into rivers and ponds, but a new study has shown that these pesticides can also impact birds when the treated hairs are used as nest material. Researchers from University of Sussex revealed that the commonest chemicals used in spot-on treatments (fipronil and imidacloprid) were prevalent in bird’s nests, and that higher levels were associated with increased mortality of eggs and chicks. Given that piles of discarded dog hair (from grooming) are regularly found around New Forest car parks, these results are alarming and highlight the need for greater awareness of the potential environmental risks of spot-on treatments. National media coverage and the original paper can be found her e and here .   A more familiar issue relates to dogs off leads and potential disturbance to ground-nesting birds. A novel GPS tracking study in lowland heathland habitats in southern England, reported here and here , found that a majority of tracked dogs were walked off-lead in the bird breeding season, even when signs were present requesting that dogs were kept on a lead, and that this greatly increased the area disturbed by dogs - at one site the researchers reported that over 90% of the area was disturbed by dogs, greatly eroding its conservation value .”       Finally, many thanks as always to all those who contributed their observations and images to the various online portals that provide source material for these reports, particularly Going Birding , Hampshire Fungus Recording Group , and the Wild New Forest and Hantsmoths Facebook sites.

This report aims to summarise some of the notable wildlife sightings and conservation news in the New Forest National Park in December 2024. To contribute to future editions, please contact the New Forest Biodiversity Forum Chair ( russ@wildnewforest.org.uk ).   Notable wildlife sightings December in the New Forest was relatively dull, mild, and dry, being the 6th warmest December on record (2.0oC warmer than the long term average) but with slightly below average rainfall and only half the average sunshine hours. Long-tailed Duck on 16 Dec 2024 (photo: Jeremy Mcclements)   The popular Long-tailed Duck continued at Lymington-Keyhaven Marshes, where there was also up to three White-tailed Eagles and a county record 34 Spoonbills (with up to seven Spoonbills also seen in the Inchmery-Lepe area). Also reported at Lepe was a flock of seven Grey Partridges on 04 Dec, although it is likely that these are birds released for shooting.   Spoonbills on 05 Dec 2024 (photo: Tim Kitts) For the second winter running there have been no reports of Great Grey Shrike in the New Forest, and very few records nationally, perhaps indicating that this iconic species is going extinct as a wintering species in our region - the drivers are thought to be related to declines in the breeding population and/or 'short stopping' linked to climate change (whereby wintering species benefit from milder winters by wintering closer to their breeding grounds). There is more positive news about some of our breeding Sandwich Terns, with several birds colour ringed as chicks at Lymington by New Forest Ringing Group being relocated at their wintering grounds thousands of kilometres to the south in Africa, including at sites in The Gambia and Namibia.   The latest batch of fungi DNA analyses conducted by Hampshire Fungus Recording Group (sponsored by the New Forest Biodiversity Forum) has produced another series of fascinating and at times flummoxing records! New species for Hampshire and the New Forest include Cortinarius huronensis , Cortinarius lacustris , Lurid Milkcap Lactarius luridus , Olive Earthtongue Microglossum rufescens , and a potential Psathyrella fusca , while several others including another potential first for Britain await further analysis. Also of note in early December was a field record by a HFRG member of the nationally rare ascomycete fungus Byssonectria terrestris , which also appears to be the first Hampshire and New Forest record. Cortinarius lacustris on 15 Oct 2024 (photo: Russell Wynn)   Wildlife and conservation news The 2024 New Forest Woodlark survey report has been published here and indicates a record total of 260 Woodlark breeding territories within the New Forest Special Protection Area, as well as a further 64 territories within the SPA that were recorded outside the formal survey, and another 19 in the New Forest outside the SPA (although given that territories are also found on private farmland this is likely to be an under-estimate). These results suggest the overall New Forest Woodlark population is now likely to be in excess of 350 territories. Even accounting for inevitable variations in survey coverage and effort, this is a significant and highly encouraging increase compared to previous surveys; this may be linked to milder winters increasing over-winter survival, and high grazing pressure and heathland restoration work improving and increasing the amount of available breeding habitat. Interestingly, it is noted in the report that Woodlarks seem to be more resistant to recreational disturbance and predation than other ground-nesting bird species (e.g. breeding waders). The volunteer-based survey was delivered by Hampshire Ornithological Society and was commissioned by Forestry England on behalf of the New Forest Higher Level Stewardship scheme partners. Woodlark at a heathland restoration site on 23 May 2024 (photo: Russell Wynn)   Wild New Forest Guided Tours have provided an update here on the fourth of year of their New Forest Pine Marten project, which is being conducted in partnership with Forestry England. The primary aim of the 2024 field season was to obtain DNA samples to assess population size, sex ratios, and genetic diversity. Unfortunately, deployment of baited hair tubes had limited success, but the team did obtain DNA from four roadkill specimens. Trail camera records included a female with distinctive bib markings that was first recorded in 2021.   A new paper led by a PhD student at Bournemouth University (and co-funded by GWCT) has  been published in the Journal of Avian Biology here , and relates to recent research on breeding Curlews in the New Forest. This species is undergoing ongoing rapid decline in our region, primarily due to low productivity related to predation of eggs and chicks by mammalian and avian predators. The research showed that Curlews prefer to breed in mire and wet heath habitats and were more likely to successfully hatch chicks in those habitats, whereas those breeding in the more extensive dry heath habitats suffered from increased predation. It was also noted that breeding Curlews avoided sites close to woodlands and major roads. Forestry England's ongoing heathland and wetland restoration work, combined with measures to reduce predation and recreational disturbance, appear to offer the best chance for this species to persist as a breeding bird in the New Forest. Curlew with crab prey at the New Forest coast on 15 Dec 2024 (photo: Yvonne Williams)   New Forest Ringing Group have produced a report here summarising the results of bird ringing in 2024 at Lymington-Keyhaven Marshes. A total of nearly 1100 birds of 52 species were ringed, in addition to 117 re-traps and controls. In addition to the Sandwich Terns mentioned above, a Little Tern ringed in April in The Gambia was back on Normandy Lagoon on 11 May, having travelled over 5050 km in just 38 days. Notable ringing records included a Pied Flycatcher, six juvenile Nightjars (indicating successful local breeding), 14 new Cetti’s Warblers, and a record number of 75 Long-tailed Tits.    Finally, many thanks as always to all those who contributed their observations and images to the various online portals that provide source material for these reports, particularly Going Birding , Hampshire Fungus Recording Group and the Fungi Recording Database of Britain and Ireland , and the Wild New Forest and Hantsmoths Facebook sites.

We are now inviting speakers for the 2025 New Forest Biodiversity Conference, which will be held on 04-05 March 2025 at Careys Manor Hotel in Brockenhurst. The 2025 conference will follow a similar format to the 2024 event, with a mix of standard 15-minute presentations, 5-minute flash talks, and a small number of keynote talks from invited speakers. To view the 2024 event programme, click here . Prof Adrian Newton talking on day one of the 2024 conference. For this edition, we are particularly keen to receive offers of presentations that relate to biodiversity and conservation updates from the New Forest National Park in calendar year 2024, although talks that provide wider spatial and temporal context will also be considered. One of the post-lunch workshops held during the 2024 conference. At this stage, we request that suggested titles, author(s), and a couple of lines of description are provided by email to the NFBF Chair at russ@wildnewforest.co.uk . The deadline for submissions is 12 Jan 2025, and the final programme will be developed following consultation with the NFNF Steering Group and Sponsors. We will subsequently request abstracts for all talks that are accepted for inclusion in the conference programme, and these will be made available online after the event. The abstracts and talks from the 2024 conference are available to view here . Finally, please note that conference registration will open in early January, but due to the limited capacity of 100 spaces the event will probably again be invite-only (although all speakers benefit from free registration).

This report aims to summarise some of the notable wildlife sightings and conservation news in the New Forest National Park in November 2024. To contribute to future editions, please contact the New Forest Biodiversity Forum Chair ( russ@wildnewforest.co.uk ).   Notable wildlife sightings Met Office data for November reveal it was a month of two halves, with the first half being dry, mild, and rather gloomy, and the second half being colder and unsettled with two named storms affecting the region; this meant that monthly metrics such as temperature, rainfall, and sunshine hours were about average overall.   The stormy weather associated with Storm Bert stirred things up at the coast, with the southwest corner of the New Forest producing some notable seabirds including Cory’s Shearwater, Little Auk, Little Gull, Velvet Scoter, Purple Sandpiper, and up to 50 Kittiwakes in the Hurst/Milford area on 23-25 Nov. A popular Long-tailed Duck arrived at Keyhaven Marsh on 15 Nov, and up to 24 Avocets, 15 Spoonbills, six Bearded Tits, five Goosanders, five Spotted Redshanks, and single Short-eared Owl, Ring Ouzel, and Water Pipit were also of note in the Lymington-Hurst area. Great White Egrets were seen at Hatchet Pond, Kings Hat, and Lepe (where a Black Redstart and Velvet Scoter were also seen). This colour-ringed Spoonbill (NC6U) was ringed in The Netherlands in summer 2022 and has spent much of the last three winters in the Lymington-Hurst area, returning to The Netherlands each summer (photo: Steve Laycock). Another Yellow-browed Warbler was the inland avian highlight, this one seen in sallows at Mill Lawn Brook on 03 Nov (although as this is <5km from the 23 Oct sighting at Longslade Bottom, the possibility of just one long-staying bird being involved can’t be ruled out). A nice account of autumn 2024 bird sightings on Chris Roseveare’s local patch between Brockenhurst and Sway can be found here .   Few notable invertebrates were recorded, but a late Painted Lady butterfly was seen at the New Forest coast on 26 Nov. This occurred at the same time as an influx of rare migrant moths into southern England, although they frustratingly missed the New Forest, with Levant Blackneck, Silver-striped Hawkmoth, and Golden Twin-spot all recorded at nearby sites. Two southern insect species that have recently established themselves in the New Forest are Variable Cockroach and the distinctive tachinid fly Ectophasia crassipennis - the former was found in a moth trap at Woodlands on 03 Nov and the latter was found parasitised by the ‘Zombie Fly Fungus’ Entomophthora muscae at a damp heathland site on 11 Nov. Ectophasia crassipennis parasitised by Zombie Fly Fungus (photo: Russell Wynn).   Fungi highlights during November included the first Hampshire and New Forest record of Woolly Rosette Cotylidia pannosa (only the 6th UK record this century) and the first New Forest record of Helvella atra (with the nationally rare Scaly Spark Flammulaster muricatus found at the same location). Woolly Rosette (photo: Holly Fitzgerald)   Helvella atra (photo: Marcus Ward)   An HFRG survey at Millyford Bridge produced the second Hampshire and first New Forest record of Mycena dasypus (confirmed with DNA), while another HFRG survey at a private site in the southern New Forest produced some nice colour in the form of Pink Waxcap Porpolomopsis calyptriformis and Violet Coral Clavaria zollingeri , both known from just a couple of sites in the New Forest, as well as Tricholoma batschii at its only known New Forest location.   Violet Coral at one of two New Forest sites where it was found this autumn (photo: Holly Fitzgerald)   In addition, DNA analysis of cryptic specimens recorded during HFRG surveys earlier in the autumn has revealed that an aldercap at Mark Ash Wood may be the first British record of Alnicola umbrina and a fibrecap recorded at Franchises Wood may be the first British record of Inocybe dodonbae . A further three HFRG survey specimens that are potential first New Forest records have also recently been identified through DNA analysis, these being Amanita huijsmanii , Inocybe gaiana , and Rosewood Brittlegill Russula melitodes . Potential Amanita huijsmanii (photo: Russell Wynn)   Wildlife and conservation news Details of the Keyhaven Natural Capital Scheme were released in November here , which will see 605 acres of farmland near Keyhaven allocated to a stacked Biodiversity Net Gain and Nitrate Mitigation scheme, to offset development elsewhere in the region. The scheme has been developed by the landowner (Kingwell) in partnership with New Forest District Council, New Forest National Park Authority, and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust (HIWWT), and the land will be managed by HIWWT to deliver the required uplift in biodiversity and water quality. The location provides an opportunity to connect to the existing Lymington-Keyhaven nature reserve to the east, and to provide new coastal grazing marsh to compensate for anticipated managed retreat along this coastline in response to ongoing sea-level rise.   The latest official Defra figures relating to wild bird populations in the UK make for predictably grim reading here , with ongoing overall declines and particularly alarming short-term declines of ~10% in both farmland and woodland birds, and also wintering waterbirds (see plots below). More encouraging is this Natural England blog here that outlines habitat creation work at North Solent NNR to support breeding seabirds, with installation of a tern raft in April leading to the first breeding of Common Terns there for about 20 years. A series of shingle islands have now been installed as part of the Solent Seascape Project, and the hope is that these will also attract breeding Little Terns in the future as well as providing habitat for wintering and passage waders.   Further positive news comes with the release of the 2022 report of the UK Rare Breeding Birds Panel here , which indicated that five new colonists or reintroduced species reached record levels, these being Mediterranean Gull, Spoonbill, Great White Egret, Little Egret, and White-tailed Eagle. The report also outlined how Goshawk, Marsh Harrier, and Osprey have recovered from historical persecution to reach record numbers in the modern era, and that the recent run of mild winters has seen Dartford Warbler and Woodlark reach their highest totals for a couple of decades. These results will be familiar to local ornithologists who, with a bit of luck, can now see all these species in a single day in the New Forest! Finally, the first UK breeding of Glossy Ibis, and potential colonisation of other species with a southern origin such as Black-winged Stilt, Bee-eater, Iberian Chiffcahff, and Baillon’s Crake, provide some pointers as to how our future avifauna might develop in response to ongoing climate change.   The 2023 Hampshire Moth Report has been published online here , and contains details of over 110,000 records for nearly 1400 species. The first Hampshire and New Forest records of Fir Carpet and Small Dotted Footman were notable, and a couple of rarely encountered micro-moths were also recorded as new to the New Forest, these being Bog Rush-moth Glyphipterix schoenicolella (based on larval feeding signs on Black Bog-rush) and Wood-rush Miner Elachista regificella (larval mines in Great Wood-rush). An adventive species, Fig-leaf Skeletoniser Choreutis nemorana , was found near Lymington and is the first for Hampshire and the New Forest. Large Yellow Underwing was the most commonly recorded moth, and it is noticeable that two non-native micro-moths, Light Brown Apple Moth and Box-tree Moth both featured in the top 10 (although as reported previously, the latter species appears to have suffered a dramatic fall in numbers this year).   A project led by the Species Recovery Trust that aims to reintroduce the New Forest Cicada hit the headlines here when a 12-year old Slovenian girl offered to help secure donor specimens when they emerge next spring - the larval offspring of these adult cicadas will then be released in the New Forest, although their long lifecycle means it will be several years before any adults emerge.   The New Forest Reptile Centre near Lyndhurst hosts a variety of native reptiles and amphibians, and it made the news here when its open-air enclosures suffered an apparent incursion by Brown Rats, although it’s not clear whether any of the captive animals were directly affected.   Finally, many thanks as always to all those who contributed their observations and images to the various online portals that provide source material for these reports, particularly Going Birding , the Fungi Recording Database of Britain and Ireland , and the Wild New Forest and Hantsmoths Facebook sites.

This report aims to summarise some of the notable wildlife sightings and conservation news in the New Forest National Park in October 2024. To contribute to future editions, please contact the New Forest Biodiversity Forum Chair ( russ@wildnewforest.co.uk ).   Notable wildlife sightings Met Office data for October indicate that, overall, it was slightly warmer than average and rainfall values were about normal, whereas sunshine hours and mean wind speed were below average.   October is often viewed as the prime month in the ornithological calendar, but this year was a relative disappointment for eager rarity hunters. A Bittern at Lymington Reedbeds on 15 Oct was the coastal highlight and a Yellow-browed Warbler at Longslade Bottom on 23 Oct was a notable inland find. Up to 16 Spoonbills and 15 Bearded Tits were seen in the Lymington-Hurst area, and there were several reports of White-tailed Eagles, Great White Egrets, and Water Pipits at the coast, and Ring Ouzels and Hen Harriers in the forest interior. A couple of flocks of Barnacle Geese probably related to feral rather than wild birds, with nine at Pennington Marshes on 23 Oct followed by a flock of around 50 over Yew Tree Heath on 27 Oct.   Purseweb Spider on 24 Oct 2024 (photo: Kathryn Crouch)   The second photo this year of the nationally scarce and rarely seen Purseweb Spider was posted on the Wild New Forest Facebook page on 24 Oct. Turning to moths, Radford’s Flame Shoulder now appears to be well established along the south coast, with an incredible 300 at Portland Bill on 09 Oct - it was therefore no surprise when a couple of specimens came to light in Woodlands in the first half of the month; there was also a scattering of other scarce but regular migrants at this location during October, including Blair’s Mocha, Delicate, Pearly Underwing, Scarce Bordered Straw, and Vestal.   Radford's Flame Shoulder on 02 Oct 2024 (photo: Russell Wynn)   Over 200 visitors attended the annual Hampshire Fungus Recording Group (HFRG) exhibition at the Reptile Centre on 26-28 Oct. Notable finds during the guided fungi walks included the first New Forest record of Marasmiellus villosipes , the relocation of Inocybe turfae following the first British record there last year, and some crowd pleasing specimens of Drumstick Truffleclub Tolypocladium capitatum parasitising Marbled False Truffle Elaphomyces muricatus . In addition, both Cortinarius pilatii and Goatcheese Webcap Cortinarius camphoratus were relocated at the same locations as the first confirmed Hampshire records in 2023.   Drumstick Truffleclub on 27 Oct 2024 (photo: Russell Wynn)   An HFRG survey at Blackwater Arboretum on 06 Oct produced a cluster of Prunes and Custard Tricholomopsis decora on rotting conifer - this uncommon species appears to be having a good year in the New Forest, with additional records coming from three other HFRG survey sites this autumn. Also of note was an apparent specimen of Ashen Knight Tricholoma virgatum and a variety of nice Cortinarius specimens were sampled for DNA analysis (results pending).   Elsewhere, there was an apparent upsurge in sightings of the photogenic Wrinkled Peach Rhodotus palmatus on dead and decaying Beech, while observations of rare species included the first New Forest record of Coprinopsis spelaiophila in a Beech rot-hole, the second New Forest record of Psathyrella pennata on bonfire charcoal at a heathland restoration site, the second and third New Forest records of Violet Coral Clavaria zollingeri , the second New Forest location for Flame Shield Pluteus aurantiorugosus , and a specimen of the red-listed Ashen Woodwax Hygrophorus mesotephrus (note that some identifications are subject to DNA analysis, and that information on status is based on records held by the FRDBI).   Wrinkled Peach on 21 Oct 2024 (photo: Steve Laycock)   Wildlife and conservation news ExxonMobil has withdrawn plans for a controversial Solent CO2 Pipeline Project (see here ), after concerns were raised during the public consultation. The three proposed pipeline routes would have taken CO2 from the Fawley oil refinery to a sub-seabed storage site in the English Channel, with one of the proposed routes covering a large area of designated habitat in the southern New Forest.   Following recent revelations about sewage and chemical pollution in New Forest waterbodies (see here and here ), a new study by University of York and the Rivers Trust has revealed alarming levels of pharmaceutical drugs in our rivers. In the New Forest, some pharmaceuticals were at levels that are potentially harmful to aquatic species. Further details here and here .   In more positive news, the Environment Agency has installed a multi-species fish pass on upper reaches of the Highland Water to improve access for sea trout and eels (see here ).   Finally, many thanks as always to all those who contributed their observations and images to the various online fora that provide source material for these reports, particularly Going Birding and the Wild New Forest and Hantsmoths Facebook sites.

The New Forest Biodiversity Forum is supporting the following postgraduate student project as part of the Strategic Research Programme: Project Title Assessing the evidence for smoke stimulation of UK heathland plant species   Supervisors Professor Claire Belcher – University of Exeter Dr Sarah Baker – University of Exeter   Project Partners New Forest Biodiversity Forum Location wildFIRE Lab, Department of Geography, Streatham Campus, University of Exeter.   The wildFIRE Lab at the University of Exeter is inviting applications for a 2-year MRes (Master's by Research) position that includes full UK (only) fees and a maintenance grant of £12,000 per annum to support the student from the New Forest Biodiversity Forum. The position is available to start in January 2025.   Project Description There is a wealth of evidence that indicates that plants have developed adaptations to help them survive fire. In some species, there is additional evidence that the acquisition of adaptive traits has not only been driven by fire but is required for the survival of the species. One key identifiable fire adapted trait is that of fire stimulated germination of seeds. The UK has a long history of land management practices using fire, particularly in upland and lowland heath, however species in these areas have never been tested for the presence or absence of smoke stimulation. This is problematic because it means that we are unaware of the extent to which populations of these species’ genetic diversity relies upon management fires for them to reproduce sexually rather than vegetatively. In times where traditional fire-based management practices are being called into question for a myriad of reasons (peatland debates, wildfire risk, smoke control etc.) it may mean that we could fail to adapt management requirements for these species effectively and bring about unforeseen biodiversity concerns in regions that host many of the UKs rare species and unique habitat. This research will allow us to determine whether smoke stimulated germination is present in keystone heathland plant species in the UK and in what regions this trait is present. The proposed project will run over a period of two years and support the training of a Master’s by Research (MRes) student who will be part of a larger team working on the impact of land management practices, including fire, on biodiversity in heathland and moorland landscapes. Applicants for this position must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second-Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of science, such as ecology, biology, geography, or linked environmental science.   Application Process In the application process you will be asked to upload several documents • CV • Letter of application (outlining your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake the project). • Transcript(s) giving full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained (this should be an interim transcript if you are still studying). • Names of two referees familiar with your academic work. You are not required to obtain references yourself. We will request references directly from your referees if you are shortlisted. • If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country you will need to submit evidence of your proficiency in English.   The closing date for applications is  midnight on Sunday 24th November 2024 (TBC).   An official web link to the advert that will include an application link will be provided in due course. Do lodge your interest with Claire Belcher in the interim and she will let you know when the link is live.   Interviews will be held on the University of Exeter Streatham Campus (arrangements for virtual interviews can be made if necessary).   If you have any general enquiries about the application process, please email  pgrenquiries@exeter.ac.uk  or phone 0300 555 60 60 (UK callers) +44 (0) 1392 723044 (EU/International callers)    Project-specific queries should be directed to the main supervisor, Professor Claire Belcher: c.belcher@exeter.ac.uk

This report aims to summarise some of the notable wildlife sightings and conservation news in the New Forest National Park in September 2024. To contribute to future editions, please contact the New Forest Biodiversity Forum Chair ( russ@wildnewforest.co.uk ).   Notable wildlife sightings Met Office data for September indicate it was a very wet and dull month, with variable temperatures. Southern England recorded its wettest September for over 100 years, with many areas experiencing more than twice the average rainfall. In addition to local flooding, the soil across much of the New Forest was saturated by the end of the month.   A Hampshire Fungus Recording Group (HFRG) survey at Mark Ash Wood on 15 Sept produced the first Hampshire and New Forest record of Inocybe lacera var. rhacodes and the third New Forest record of the alder-associated milkcap Lactarius cyathuliformis ; the latter was found in a strip of boggy riverine woodland that produced several other interesting records, including a couple of cryptic aldercaps that are still undergoing analysis. Another HFRG survey at Franchises Wood on 29 Sept produced the second New Forest record of Conifer Shield Pluteus pouzarianus and the fourth New Forest record of Lepiota oreadiformis , as well as the nationally rare Fragrant Toothcrust Mycoacia nothofagi .   Elsewhere, the most notable fungi sightings related to new arrivals consolidating their presence in the New Forest, including multiple records of Rothole Inkcap Coprinopsis alnivora on new trees close to the site where it was recorded as new to Britain in 2022; in addition, a further cluster was found about 5 km from the original site, on the same host tree as a spectacular cluster of Coral Tooth Hericium coralloides ! The latter location also produced a cluster of Orange Porecap Favolaschia claudopus on a fallen Beech branch, the first New Forest record since this non-native species was discovered near Hollands Wood in autumn 2022 (several more were subsequently discovered in October 2024). A cluster of Magenta Rustgill Gymnopilus dilepis on woodchip at Green Hill Farm is the third New Forest record, following the first two records last year. Finally, a fine specimen of Rosso Coral Ramaria botrtytis was photographed at the same location where it was discovered last autumn - this is a red listed species that has only been recorded at two New Forest locations this century.   Orange Porecap (underside) on 30 Sept 2024 (photo: Russell Wynn)   A juvenile White-winged Black Tern was on Calshot Spit on 02-03 Sept, and an Ortolan Bunting was an excellent inland find at Pig Bush on 04 Sept. Other notable records at the coast included a Wryneck at Lepe on 04 Sept, two Great White Egrets at Lepe on 15 Sept, seven Spoonbills back at Keyhaven Marsh on 30 Sept, and both Cattle Egret and Osprey at Pennington Marsh on several dates. Interesting ringing reports included the continued presence of Little Egret ‘JN’ at Normandy Marsh - this bird was ringed nearby as a chick in 2006 and at 18 years old it claims the UK longevity record for the species. In addition, an adult male Ringed Plover that was colour-ringed at the New Forest coast in June had originally been metal-ringed at Ferrybridge (Dorset) in June 2022. The new colour rings enabled its detection at Newtown NNR on the Isle of Wight on 27 Aug and back at Ferrybridge two days later, highlighting the importance of networks of regional sites for this and other wader species.   Cattle Egret on 25 Sept 2024 (photo: Steve Laycock)   The latest in the line of formerly rare immigrant moths that now seems to be colonising southern England is Porter’s Rustic, with a record influx in late summer that saw the first two specimens for the New Forest reach Woodlands on 01-02 Sept, in association with a couple of Olive-tree Pearl Palpita vitrealis . Encouragingly, a specimen of Dotted Footman was also recorded there on 01 Sept, providing further hope that a colony of this nationally rare species persists in the New Forest. In contrast, the New Forest population of the non native invasive Box-tree Moth Cydalima perspectalis appears to have crashed this year, with very few reports in September which is usually the peak month for the species - it seems likely that in many areas it has exhausted its foodplant (for the time being at least!).   Porter's Rustic (right) with two Olive-tree Pearl on 02 Sept 2024 (photo: Russell Wynn)   A new Willow Emerald Damselfly colony was discovered at a small pond in the southern New Forest on 18 Sept, as part of survey work conducted for the Defra-funded Species Survival Fund project.   Willow Emerald Damsefly on 18 Sept 2024 (photo: Russell Wynn)   We’ll finish with a trio of remarkable aquatic observations. A sizeable Conger Eel was filmed attending a baited camera rig in shallow water close to the New Forest shore between Lymington and Lepe on 02 Sept, a flotilla of Fairy Shrimps was wonderfully photographed at a temporary pond in the northern New Forest on 17 Sept (the New Forest is a national stronghold for the species), and the nationally rare Pondweed Leafhopper was discovered at a relatively new pond at a private site in the northern New Forest on 19 Sept - the latter appears to be the first confirmed record for Hampshire and the New Forest, and further details are available here .   Conger Eeel attending a bait station in The Solent on 02 Sept 2024 (screengrab from video: Dominic Longley)   Fairy Shrimps in a seasonal New Forest pond on 17 Sept 2024 (photo: Sue Loader)   Pondweed Leafhopper on 20 Sept 2024 (photo: Russell Wynn)   Wildlife and conservation news A summary of 2023 sightings from the New Forest Butterfly Transect Group (published in the October 2024 newsletter of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Branch of Butterfly Conservation) noted the first records of Purple Emperor in the New Forest for over 20 years, and a 40% increase in overall butterfly numbers compared to 2022 with nearly 70,000 recorded. Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper accounted for nearly 50% of the total and White Admiral had a ‘spectacular’ year, but Small Tortoiseshell continued to fare badly.    The ‘Elephant Oak’ at Old Sloden Inclosure was a wild card nomination for the Woodland Trust Tree of the Year 2024 award. Finally, many thanks as always to all those who contributed their observations and images to the various online fora that provide source material for these reports, particularly Going Birding and the Wild New Forest and Hantsmoths Facebook sites.

Author: Russell Wynn In August 2024, I hosted a visit by the Freshwater Habitats Trust CEO (Prof Jeremy Biggs) and Technical Director (Dr Naomi Ewald) to a private site in the northern New Forest where I’ve been conducting ecological surveys over the last couple of years. Naomi was keen to show Jeremy a relatively small pond that was only excavated about five years ago, but that has exceptional freshwater diversity on account of its clean unpolluted water, proximity to ‘source ponds’ on the nearby open forest containing nationally notable species, and the presence of cattle that deliver seasonal conservation grazing and help keep the pond margins open. FHT have surveyed the pond for plants and aquatic invertebrates and have also confirmed the presence of Great Crested Newt using eDNA, while my own surveys have already produced 20 species of dragonfly and damselfly (including Hampshire’s largest colony of Willow Emerald Damselfly). Image showing the surveyed pond in the northern New Forest (photo: Russell Wynn)   While we were exploring the pond, Naomi casually mentioned that I should keep an eye open for Pondweed Leafhopper Erotettix cyane , as the habitat (including the presence of abundant Broad-leaved Pondweed Potamogeton natans ) recalled other sites where she had seen the species. Having never heard of Pondweed Leafhopper before, I did some online research and discovered that it is incredibly rare in the UK, and until recently was known from just a handful of ponds in southern England (e.g. see here and here ). In the last five years it has been found at a few more locations in the region and has occasionally ppeared at nocturnal moth traps, but it is still an incredibly rare beast.   Fast forward to 20 Sept 2024, and I was back at the pond looking for Willow Emerald Damselflies, but to no avail thanks to the rather cool and breezy conditions. With Naomi’s comments still fresh in my mind I began dutifully scanning the pondweed with binoculars, and was stunned to see several strikingly blue leafhoppers no bigger than a grain of rice staring back at me! As I continued scanning, I could see there were hundreds spread across the pond, along with good numbers of Pondweed Reed Beetle Donacia versicolorea . I called Naomi and asked for reassurance that Pondweed Leafhopper was indeed the only blue leafhopper in that habitat, which she confirmed, and so I hastily sent across a couple of photos. A short while later, Naomi replied to say that Dr Alan Stewart at University of Sussex (and UK co-ordinator for leafhopper recording) had confirmed the identification and the apparent status as the first record for Hampshire and the New Forest. Its appearance here is perhaps not too surprising, as there have been recent records a relatively short ‘hop’ away in Dorset, including one at a site bordering the Avon Valley that was erroneously attributed to Hampshire.   I returned to the pond the following day to secure better photos, which was achieved through some rather inelegant wading! A detailed count revealed 110 individuals, including several nymphs, which was a reduction on the previous day due to a further deterioration of the weather. I didn’t return to the site again until 26 Sept, by which time a period of heavy rainfall had ensued and most of the pondweed was submerged, with just a handful of disgruntled leafhoppers on show. The author going the extra mile to get decent macros shots of the target species! (photo: Christine Sams) Adult Pondweed Leafhopper on 21 Sept 2024 (photo: Russell Wynn)   Nymph Pondweed Leafhopper on 21 Sept 2024 (photo: Russell Wynn) So, what next? Encouragingly, preparatory work is already under way for a larger wetland complex to be developed on permanent pasture adjacent to the existing pond, as part of the site owners’ overall plan to increase biodiversity on the site. We are receiving excellent technical support from our FHT colleagues, and hopefully the new wetland complex will expand the available habitat for the species and provide greater resilience if the original pond is negatively impacted (e.g. by non-native invasive species). There is also much to learn about the basic ecology of the Pondweed Leafhopper, including where it overwinters or lays its eggs, so this site also provides an opportunity to conduct research that will aid the future conservation of this remarkable species. Finally, I'd like to thank Naomi Ewald for her expert input, as without it I probably wouldn't have been carefully scanning pondweed leaves with binoculars! I'm also grateful to the site owners for their continued support of biodiversity monitoring and habitat restoration/creation on the site.

The New Forest Biodiversity Forum is supporting the long-term monitoring of breeding raptors through sponsorship of the New Forest Raptor Monitoring Group (NFRMG). Further details about the programme can be found here , and below the team provide a late summer update on the 2024 season so far. Goshawk The population monitoring of New Forest Goshawks is now complete for this year. With 60 known sites to check, there is a considerable amount of work to do locating nests, ensuring they are protected from Forest operations, and climbing and ringing the chicks. It must also be highlighted that the atrocious weather this spring and summer has severely hampered fieldwork for a number of species. That said, Goshawk appear to have had a good breeding season and overall we have found a very good number of raptor nests both on and off the open forest, so enormous thanks go to all those who have contributed time, effort, or bits of information that have aided our work. Goshawk breeding attempts were confirmed at a minimum of 45 sites, plus four sites where only a single bird was presumed present giving 49 occupied sites. An additional 11 sites that have held birds previously were checked but no signs of occupation were noted, or work was insufficient to prove presence. Six sites failed at incubation or with small young. 27 sites were climbed and produced 72 young of which 70 were BTO and colour ringed (37 male and 35 female). 12 further sites were not climbed but successfully fledged a minimum of 21 young (birds that reach ringing age are presumed to fledge), totalling 93 young from 39 successful nests. A further three broods were ringed outside of the Crown lands totalling a further eight young.  A well-grown Goshawk brood Our first colour-ringed Goshawk chick Common Buzzard Currently the group are checking and collating records of breeding Common Buzzard and have sites for 35 nests on Crown lands and a further five just off on adjoining private land. We believe a number of pairs remain unrecorded, and overall these figures provide reasonable proof that numbers are not significantly different to those in the 1990’s before comprehensive surveying was relaxed. A good brood of Common Buzzard chicks ringed off the Forest Sparrowhawk Sparrowhawk numbers are still considerably lower than they were before the arrival of Goshawks. Other factors such as conversion of conifer to heathland, a more open structure to Forest Inclosures, and reduced amount of thicket stage forestry preferred for nesting by Sparrowhawk, are all additional contributing factors to the lower population. That said we have seen Sparrowhawks at a few more sites this year and found nests at five of these. We even managed to ring 10 young from three nests which are the first chicks ringed here since 2009 (when the population was rapidly declining as Goshawk numbers surged). A New Forest Sparrowhawk brood Honey Buzzard Work is still ongoing for this late-nesting species which is notoriously difficult to find when breeding, on top of it being a scarce and elusive bird anyway. The breeding population of this migratory species fluctuates naturally from year to year. Arrival of birds from spring migration was protracted with numerous reports of birds arriving late. Birds from sites outside the Crown lands regularly visit to hunt in the woods and heaths and often account for additional records. Although Honey Buzzard are well versed in finding wasp nests even in poor years, it would appear that there is a distinct lack of wasp activity this year probably as a result of the continual wet and cool weather we have experienced. Whether this has or will affect breeding success remains to be seen. The following pictures are from two nests checked on 24 July 2024 showing the age difference between broods. A brood of Honey Buzzard chicks at three-and-a-half weeks old A Honey Buzzard chick about a week old (frog prey in foreground) Hobby The New Forest Hobby population remains low. Monitoring is still ongoing as this summer migrant is one of our latest breeding birds. Pairs are again thought to be occupying only a handful of sites and it remains to be seen how many will successfully raise young. We would be grateful for breeding records of this species anywhere within the New Forest National Park boundary to help understand if factors beyond the increased Goshawk population may be influencing breeding numbers.

The New Forest Biodiversity Forum is supporting the long-term monitoring of breeding raptors through sponsorship of the New Forest Raptor Monitoring Group (NFRMG). Further details about the programme can be found here , and a summary of the 2024 season can be found here . Below, the team provides details of how observers can contribute to a new Goshawk colour-ringing project. 2024 is the first year of our project to colour ring Goshawk chicks to go alongside our contribution to a long-standing national colour ringing project of Honey Buzzard. In summer 2024 we colour ringed a total of 70 Goshawk chicks, using red colour rings with individual codes comprising combinations of three white capital letters. Goshawk chick with red colour ring 'CLB' With the surge in popularity of digital wildlife photography, and bird photography in particular, there are many images out there where the quality of the photographer and their equipment makes it possible to read colour ring combinations; this helps us to understand the movements of individual birds without the considerable expense of GPS tracking of individuals. While there are inevitable limitations to the data we can gather, the rings are fitted during our nest monitoring work at the same time as the birds are fitted with their unique BTO ring, so doesn't add to our workload or create additional disturbance of the birds. The image below, taken by one of our team, provides a nice example of what can be achieved. Digital image showing juvenile Goshawk photographed on 01 Aug 2024; the image was of sufficient quality that the colour ring code could be read, revealing that this bird was one of a brood of three chicks ringed on 01 June 2024 at a nest about 15 km away. We are therefore asking all local birders and bird photographers to look out for colour ringed Goshawks and to send us any responsibly taken images where the three letter combination can be read. We are also keen to receive reports and images of any dead or injured Goshawks found in and around the New Forest that are carrying metal BTO rings, as these may relate to birds ringed locally in previous years. Reports and images of ringed Goshawks can be submitted direct to Tommy Saunders, who is leading on the colour ringing project, at the following e-mail address: tomsaunders1122@gmail.com

This report aims to summarise some of the notable wildlife sightings and conservation news in the New Forest National Park in February 2024. To contribute to future editions, please contact the New Forest Biodiversity Forum Chair ( russ@wildnewforest.co.uk ).   Notable wildlife sightings The mild weather in the middle of the month saw many common bird species commence breeding, and there were regular reports of singing Woodlarks, displaying Goshawks, drumming Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, and nesting Ravens. Three Swallows moving north over Keyhaven Marshes on 14 Feb were part of an exceptionally early arrival of summer migrants in southern England - perhaps even more remarkable was a report of five of our six native reptile species (Grass Snake was the only omission) seen by a local reptile enthusiast at a New Forest site on 18 Feb! Goshawk on 23 Feb 2024 (photo: Steve Laycock) Smooth Snake on 18 Feb 2024 (photo: Keith Mantle) An adult Red-breasted Goose, associating with Brent Geese in the Lymington-Hurst area from 07-18 Feb, was the rarest bird seen during the month. The long-staying drake Scaup was also regularly reported there, and there were peak counts of 25 Avocet, 14 Spoonbill, and five Slavonian Grebe, while nocturnal surveys indicated the presence of 164 Snipe and a couple of Jack Snipe. A Puffin found dead at Lepe on 09 Feb was a rare winter record, and at least two White-tailed Eagles were regularly reported from the New Forest coast - an inspiring video update from Forestry England about the White-tailed Eagle reintroduction project is available here .   Red-breasted Goose on 11 Feb 2024 (photo: Jeremy McClements) Jack Snipe on 20 Feb 2024 (photo: Marcus Ward / New Forest Ringing Group) Last month we reported on a species of fibrecap fungus called Inocybe turfae that is a possible first for Britain. A second DNA sequence was produced by Hampshire Fungus Recording Group (HFRG) in February that appears to provide greater confidence in the identification, so it is now being submitted for consideration as a potential first for Britain to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.   The latest batch of DNA results from HFRG also confirm the fleshy bracket fungus, Trametopsis cervina , as new to Hampshire and the New Forest, following its discovery on a decaying Beech tree last autumn; this is a nationally rare species with the handful of UK records coming from just five other locations. Other notable species confirmed by DNA include the Pouch Cup Peziza saccardona from the HFRG survey at Exbury Gardens on 25 Nov 2023, which has just 12 previous UK records, and Tricholoma batschii on the same survey, which has one previous New Forest record from the same site in Nov 2021. Records of apparent Silvery Amanita Amanita argentea from Pondhead Inclosure on 17 Sep 2023 (three previous Hants / NF records), and Tylospora fibrillosa from Godshill Inclosure on 14 Oct 2023 (one previous Hants / NF record) are also notable.   Trametopsis cervina on 03 Nov 2023, recently confirmed as new to Hampshire and the New Forest (photo: Russell Wynn) The final set of DNA results relate to fleshy white polypores, including Serried Porecrust Antrodia serialis at a private site near Bramshaw in autumn 2023 (three previous New Forest records). Five samples of the internationally rare Aurantiporus alborubescens and Aurantiporus fissilis were selected from nearly 30 specimens of both species found over the last two autumns, and DNA results confirmed initial field-based identifications - these form part of an internationally important Beech saprotroph assemblage in the New Forest that will be the subject of further survey work in 2024, complementing work on the Green Forest Hoverfly Caliprobola speciosa that is targeting many of the same dead and decaying Beech trees!   Wildlife and conservation news The New Forest Biodiversity Forum was officially launched at the New Forest Biodiversity Conference on 06-07 Feb 2024. An overview of the conference will be provided on the Hub soon. The Small Grant programme has already approved four projects for funding: DNA analysis of New Forest fungi samples in 2024-26 (Hampshire Fungus Recording Group); combined radio and GPS tracking of juvenile Hawfinch (New Forest Ringing Group); Green Forest Hoverfly 2024 survey (Andy Murdock/Maploom), and Field Gentian surveys and translocation trials (Species Recovery Trust). Further details on these projects and the application process are available here .   The incessantly mild and wet weather in February made the headlines, with Met Office data indicating it was the warmest and wettest February in southern England since records began. In our region, the mean temperature for the month was more than 3.0oC above the long-term average. The Met Office update, available here , also provides an overview of winter 2023/24 and some long-term climate trends, highlighting the progressive shift towards a warmer, wetter climate. UK winter temperature and rainfall data from 1836-2024, showing the recent trend towards warmer and wetter winters (images: Met Office) In addition to being the hosting partner of the New Forest Biodiversity Forum, Wild New Forest also deliver ecological surveys on public and private land across the New Forest. One of the survey sites is Green Hill Farm (Landford), where an area of 11 ha (equivalent to one-third of the site) is being managed to deliver Biodiversity Net Gain to offset development elsewhere on the site. The long-term management plan aims to return some of this area to low-intensity grazing land, while also allowing development of a rough grassland and scrub mosaic to support priority species. The 2023 Biodiversity Report for the site is now available here , with highlights in the conservation fields including Barn Owl, Nightjar, Stonechat, Grass Snake, Common Lizard, Common Toad, Hornet Robberfly, and three species of nationally scarce micro-moth.      A pilot project co-ordinated by Wild New Forest and Freshwater Habitats Trust made headlines in February, as it revealed that harmful chemicals associated with some popular flea treatments used on dogs are getting into New Forest ponds and valley mires. The story was featured on BBC News online here and was also covered by BBC Radio Solent, BBC South Today, and various other local and regional media outlets. The pilot project was sponsored by Friends of the New Forest and news dissemination is being supported by New Forest Dog Owners Group.   The annual messaging around ground-nesting birds was also released at the end of the month, with features by Forestry England and New Forest National Park Authority available here and here . The key message is “ stay on track to support New Forest wildlife this spring ” and pay attention to orange and red signs in the most sensitive areas.   The news of the successful breeding of Grey Seal on the Beaulieu River, reported here last month, was also featured in mainstream media following a news release by Buckler’s Hard Yacht Harbour, including ITV News here . A couple of relevant news items from further afield include a consultation about Pine Marten reintroduction in southeast England here , the use of leaky dams to rewet mires on the Purbeck Heaths here , and the listing of the River Avon at Fordingbridge as a proposed new bathing site here .   The excellent Hantsmoths website has recently had an overhaul - this is a vital resource for anyone involved in moth recording in Hampshire, with up-to-date species accounts and a handy ‘Flying Tonight’ feature that lists the most likely species to be found in any given week.   Finally, the annual New Forest Awakening Festival is running through March, allowing people to participate in a wide variety of activities with a focus on nature and climate change - further details and the events programme are available here .