New Forest heathlands
The New Forest heathlands are the most characteristic habitat of the Forest and are some of the most important lowland sites for nature study in Europe.
Indeed, there aren't many places left in Britain and Europe that can boast such expanses of untouched heath.
These heathlands have changed little over time, but were once covered in dense forest, as was much of the British Isles.
It was the area's inhabitants of the Bronze Age that cleared these forests, opening up large areas for basic agricultural use.
However, the sandy, acidic soils were largely infertile and unsuitable for any serious use - the primary factor in ensuring the survival of the New Forest heathlands through the centuries.
Animal grazing of course also maintains the heathlands, while in winter controlled burning by the Forestry Commission promotes new springtime growth of grass and prevents the scrub from completely taking over.
Today, the biggest areas of heathland occupy the western half of the New Forest and count for around half of the area of the Open Forest.
The heathlands are fairly uniform in appearance - almost completely covered in heather (bell heather and ling) with a good scattering of gorse bushes and bracken.
The heather flowers in summer, bringing the normally dull-brown heathlands to life with shades of purple and pink. At this time, the bracken is also at its greenest, while the yellow flowers of the gorse have all but disappeared, having bloomed a couple of months earlier.
Bell heather, left, and gorse, right, occupy much of the heathlands
The heathlands are criss-crossed by sandy tracks, and low-lying areas play host to another of the New Forest habitats, the bogs.
New Forest heathland wildlife
The low, dense covering of the heather and scrub provides a good home for many different species of insects and invertebrates.
In turn, this attracts a healthy diversity of animal and birdlife and the heathlands are home to several of Britain's rarest species.
Notably, the sand lizard and smooth snake are both protected species, (shown below) while the rare Dartford Warbler has made a permanent home in a few select areas of New Forest heathland.
The rare sand lizard and smooth snake both live on Forest heathland
Ground nesting birds, such as nightjar and skylarks, are also to be found on some of the New Forest heathlands and great care must be taken during the nesting season while walking on any of the heaths - always walk on the paths!
Numerous warning notices are put up at this time of year, all around the heathlands where nests may be.
Related pages
Ancient and Ornamental Woodlands of the New Forest
New Forest bogs
