New Forest & Keyhaven (Day Trip)

Summary

We will split the day between the New Forest National Park, to enjoy its rich and varied natural history, and the marshes that line the edge of the Solent (a car is therefore needed). In the New Forest we will look for birds such as Goshawk, Dartford Warbler, Woodlark and Hawfinch. The coastal saltmarsh and freshwater lagoons of Pennington and Keyhaven Reserves attract numerous wildfowl, waders and other birds during the late autumn and early winter, including Brent Geese, Ruff, Black and Bar-tailed Godwit, Pintail, Teal, Wigeon and many more. On the sea we will look for Black-necked Grebe and perhaps an overwintering Sandwich Tern. 

We will meet in the New Forest at 9am and the day will finish in Keyhaven at 5pm. (Please note that certain days will operate in reverse order). Over the course of the day, between the two sites, all the exploration will be carried out on foot covering between 4 and 8 miles, depending on the wildlife activity, mostly over easy terrain. An hour for lunch provides time to rest before the afternoon walk.