Winter in the New Forest

Tour Code: GBR15

A weekend to enjoy the peace and the birds of the New Forest in winter, as well as of nearby Keyhaven and Pennington Marshes.

3 days from
£550
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Highlights

Summary

Summary

The New Forest covers 144 square miles of Hampshire and Dorset, and includes Britain’s most important area of lowland heathland, as well as mixed forest and boggy hollows which together are home to a rich diversity of plants and animals. While most wildlife enthusiasts choose to visit during the spring and summer, the forest reclaims its wild charm in the winter, when many species such as Hawfinch are more easily seen, and hardy residents including Dartford Warbler remain on the heaths. We’ll search for flocks of finches, geese, waders such as Little Egret, birds of prey and woodpeckers amongst many other birds, from our comfortable base near Beaulieu.

  • Goshawks begin their roller-coaster display flights in February
  • Dartford Warbler & Great Grey Shrike present during winter
  • Hawfinch, Crossbill, Stonechat, Treecreeper, Siskin, Redpoll & Meadow Pipit
  • Green, Great Spotted & Lesser-spotted Woodpeckers
  • Merlin, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, Hen Harrier & Buzzard
  • Brambling among roving winter finch flocks
  • Brent Goose, Red-breasted Merganser, flocks of Dunlin & Eider

The extensive rolling heaths and woodlands of the New Forest are home to a wealth of wildlife throughout the year and, whilst the majority of birdwatchers visit in the spring and early summer, ‘The Forest’ reclaims its wild and ancient charm during the winter months; a beauty accentuated by a hard frost on the trees or a sprinkling of snow on the ground. Hardy little Dartford Warblers remain on the heaths all year and these are joined in the winter by Hen Harriers and the occasional Great Grey Shrike. Hawfinches are more easily seen in trees free from leaves, whilst roving winter finch flocks frequently hold Bramblings. Goshawks start their roller-coaster display in late February and Merlin, Crossbill, and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker are also possible. For this weekend break we will base ourselves in the pretty coastal town of Lymington. From here we will not only explore the inland portion of the New Forest National Park, but also spend time birdwatching around the marshes and lagoons along the Solent — in particular at Pennington and Keyhaven Marshes — in search of wintering Brent Geese, Little Egrets, Peregrine, grebes, divers, ducks and a variety of waders.

DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Meet at hotel
Day 2
Exploration of the New Forest; Bishop's Dyke/Beaulieu Heath
Day 3
Pennington and Keyhaven nature reserves
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What's Included

What's Included?

  • Accommodation:

    We stay in the Beaulieu Hotel near Beaulieu. All rooms have private facilities.

  • Food:

    Breakfast and evening meals are included. Allow around £10/£15 per day for a pub lunch.

Reviews
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2026

Departures Availability Cost
Fri 6th Mar – Sun 8th Mar 2 £550
Book Tour Show Details
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£550
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£105
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Jonathan Mycock
TL Jonathan Mycock

Tour Leader: Jonathan Mycock

Jonathan is a professional conservationist with over 30 years' experience in nature conservation and environmental management. Much of this has been working in protected areas, including the Shropshire Hills & Sussex Downs AONBs and the Peak District, New Forest and South Downs National Parks. He gained a BSc Hons in Applied Biology from Liverpool John Moore's University, and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Countryside Management from Manchester Metropolitan University, during the 1980s. His last position was Environmental Project Manager with the Environment Agency in Worthing, from which he retired in October 2023. 

Jonathan has been a keen naturalist from a very young age. He honed his birding skills on the moors, dales and reservoirs of the Peak District during his teenage years, together with regular stays at Spurn Bird Observatory. During this period Jonathan gained a detailed knowledge of the songs and calls of British birds which has stood him in good stead when undertaking bird surveys and leading guided walks.  

Jonathan has travelled extensively in Europe, Turkey, North Africa and the Middle East, The Gambia, India, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, California, Costa Rica and Ecuador in search of birds and other wildlife. Since retiring he spent 3 weeks birding in Madagascar and a week in Taiwan, together with 2 weeks in the Canaries (El Hierro and Lanzarote). 

Jonathan has led tours for Naturetrek in the Dordogne, France; the Sorrento Peninsula, Italy; Sicily; the Carpathian Mountains and Danube Delta in Romania; and Finland and Arctic Norway. He has also led various UK tours, including in Hampshire, Dorset, Somerset and the Forest of Dean, as well as local day trips to Pagham Harbour and the Sussex Downs and Heaths. In his ‘spare time’, Jonathan is a voluntary warden at RSPB Pulborough Brooks and undertakes local surveys for the BTO and Sussex Ornithological Society. 

Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

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Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!

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