new forest ranger

@NewForestNPA rangers sharing pictures and updates from our work out and about in the New Forest

[New Forest NPA @NewForestNPA]

Whether with the NPA, our partners, or local communities, volunteers are a beating heart in the New Forest caring for the National Park’s special landscapes, wildlife, and communities.

From protecting local heritage to restoring rare habitats, improving access and paths for visitors to litter picking, supporting events and fundraising to home-based and admin roles, volunteers share their time and knowledge while gaining new skills and boosting their wellbeing.

Find out more through the link below to get involved as a volunteer with the NPA or discover opportunities with local groups to suit you.

🔗 https://t.co/LlfmYtID4H

Are you an organisation with opportunities for volunteers? Follow the link below to our sign up form to be listed on the NPA website.

🔗 https://t.co/ZYKJdKRgot

#VolunteersWeek

[New Forest NPA @NewForestNPA]

Common lizards are the most commonly seen reptile in the #NewForest inhabiting open heath and grassland, woodland glades and sometimes gardens.

On sunny days between April and October look for them on prominent sunning positions such as logs, tree stumps, grass tussocks or the edges of paths.

Common #lizards prey on #insects, #spiders and earthworms and live for up to eight years. 🦎 More here 👇

https://t.co/05SgCd6YN6

[The New Forest - Forestry England @EngNewForest]

Interested in pursuing a career in conservation, community engagement, recreation, or site management? Our Shadow #Volunteer programme offers #volunteering opportunities to gain practical experience in the forestry sector.

Find out more: https://t.co/WgjCCWFxJq

#VolunteersWeek

[UKSwifts @swifts_uk]

Retweet ❗️

This is a Swift. sometimes they can end up on the ground. This is where they need YOUR help!

Swifts arrive back to the UK from April/May to nest. 🪺 (A THREAD)

[The New Forest - Forestry England @EngNewForest]

From 11 May stallions will be turned out in the New Forest. The following six weeks will be an important period for the ponies and during the breeding season animals may behave unpredictably and cross roads at speed. 🐎

#CareForTheForest #NewForest

[New Forest NPA @NewForestNPA]

New Forest stallions are being let out onto the Forest today, marking the start of the traditional breeding season.

Specially selected stallions are released into specific areas of the Forest for six weeks to maintain the quality and bloodlines of the rare breed New Forest pony.

The stallions are owned by local people called Commoners and are licensed to be out on the Forest by the Verderers of the New Forest who oversee the commoning system.

This year, 25 stallions will be turned out across the Forest, and are permitted to remain out until Monday, June 22.

As always, please take extra care when out in the Forest and admire the animals from a distance - do not approach or touch, and never feed them as there is plenty of food to go around!

#NewForest #NewForestPonies #Commoning #Stallions #KeepYourDistance #DoNotFeedThePonies #SlowDownForAnimals #ExpectTheUnexpected

[New Forest NPA @NewForestNPA]

Rangers from the New Forest NPA spent nearly 160 hours at sites across the National Park in April and spoke to more than 1,200 people.

They discussed the importance of always following the #NewForestCode, PSPOs, and why we should all #KeepToTheTracks to help protect rare and special species like ground nesting birds.

From Brockenhurst to Hatchet Pond, Picket Post to Telegraph Hill, NPA rangers worked closely with partner organisations and shared knowledge about the National Park and how we can all support its wildlife.

The team also enjoyed spotting a number of firsts for the year as warmer weather arrives, including counting bluebells, glimpsing green hairstreak and painted lady butterflies, and seeing the Forest's canopy becoming greener.

April highlights included:

👮 Joining partner organisations in the Forest including on #OpMountie to help make the National Park’s roads safer

🤠 Undertaking ground nesting bird patrols supporting rare and special species in the Forest

💬 Giving talks to school and college pupils to share knowledge and enthusiasm for the New Forest

🚲 Supporting partners with bike marking at events to increase security for riders cycling responsibly

🔗 Find out about the New Forest and cycling codes below:

https://t.co/FXRuO2DWMU

https://t.co/BNTuJmLxCM

[The New Forest - Forestry England @EngNewForest]

As we welcome new born foals in the #NewForest we’re reminding people to be responsible and take extra care while out and about or on the roads.

Enjoy the moment by keeping your distance, if you want a photo use a zoom and please keep dogs under close control.

#CareForTheForest

[new forest ranger @newforestranger]

@NewForestNPA rangers are mostly out on the heath monitoring & raising awareness of ground nesting birds & how we can all help: #KeepToTheTracks #NewForestCode
...so a short walk through some woodland with it's beautiful, fresh, vibrant, green canopy was a refreshing change 💚!

[New Forest NPA @NewForestNPA]

👑 The Queen Oak near Ringwood, estimated to be around 650–700 years old, is one of the Forest’s oldest residents.

Thanks to a brilliant community effort, she’s been given a new lease of life with some careful interventions. Neighbouring trees have been pruned to let in more light, and protective 'dragon’s teeth' installed to prevent soil compaction around her roots. Her ancient branches have also been gently braced to protect her from storm damage and her trunk splitting in two.

��� Standing since the 1300s, she’s more than just a tree. She’s part of our heritage.... as well as a living habitat supporting hundreds of species.
Find out more: https://t.co/dJBqVyBjoC
Huge thanks to the following for helping to save her:

@TheTreeCouncil; The Tree Management Company in Ringwood; @Savills; Ellingham, Harbridge & Ibsley Parish Council; East Devon Tree Care Ltd; Kairos Philanthropy

#NewForest #NationalPark #Trees #AncientTrees #Ringwood #Oak

[South Downs National Park @sdnpa]

We're hiring an Assistant Ranger👋

This roles assists with various projects covering landscapes, biodiversity, promoting countryside recreation and working with the community to promote understanding.

Applications close 4 May. Find out more: https://t.co/WOH2h8P6uQ🔗

📸: SDNPA

[New Forest NPA @NewForestNPA]

More than 30 people volunteered their time with the New Forest NPA in March, spending 225 hours – or 46 volunteer days – working hard to protect and enhance the National Park for wildlife and communities.

From litter picking, cutting back invasive species, and clearing access routes to bringing volunteer groups together and supporting public engagement events, NPA volunteers supported partners across the New Forest including the Countryside Education Trust and Community First.

March highlights included:

💭 Supporting the first Volunteer Collective event launched in partnership by the New Forest NPA and Community First bringing together organisations using volunteers in the area to celebrate, share skills, and network

🤠 Teaming up with NPA rangers to deliver guided walks for members of the public during the New Forest Awakening Festival

🚮 Litter picking on Hurst Spit to help keep the area clean and minimise impacts on its special habitats and wildlife

🍃 Protecting scheduled monuments from the risk of damage through scrub growth and burrowing animals to help preserve heritage in the New Forest

New Routes to Nature – the initiative supporting volunteering in the New Forest – has been made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players.

🔗 Find out more on volunteering in the National Park on the NPA's volunteering pages: https://t.co/LlfmYtID4H

[New Forest NPA @NewForestNPA]

Watch out for foals! 🐴

The first Forest foals and calves are being born and will soon be running rings round their mothers! Here's how you can make sure they have the best start to life in the National Park:

Drive with care - livestock, such as ponies, donkeys, sheep and cattle, may be on or near roads day or night and can move unexpectedly, pass wide and slow and be ready to stop. 🚗

Keep your distance - petting or feeding ponies and donkeys is banned and may result in a fine. Mothers can be very protective of their foals and may kick or bite. Human food can make livestock very ill and encourage them near roads. 🫸

Know who to call in an emergency - if you are involved in a road accident with New Forest livestock, it's a legal requirement to notify the police within 24 hours. You can report sick or injured livestock to the Verderers. Animal emergency hotline cards with this information can be downloaded from our website. 👮

Thank you to those who continue to enjoy the National Park responsibly and allow the livestock to continue doing their important job of shaping the landscape undisturbed! 💚

Find out more on our website: https://t.co/0bRlyYr1DG

📸 credit: Acorns and Scapes
#PassWideAndSlow #NewForestCode

[new forest ranger @newforestranger]

⚠️New Forest foal alert!⚠️
Drove past my first foal of the season nr Burley today:
🐎Drive with extra care over the coming weeks
🐎Always expect them to step in the road unexpectedly!
🐎Always slow right down & allow extra space for roadside animals
#Add3Minutes
#NewForestCode

[new forest ranger @newforestranger]

@planepimp @HantsPolRural https://t.co/ApGJwrBMhr

[new forest ranger @newforestranger]

@planepimp @HantsPolRural Yes.

It has always been against the Forest bylaws for anyone but the animals owner to pet or feed livestock on the open Forest but since New Forest District Council passed a Public Space Protection Order 3 years ago it has been an offence risking a £100 fixed penalty notice

[new forest ranger @newforestranger]

@originalplummy @NewForestNPA @NewForestNPA does not own or manage any of the publicly accessed land in the New Forest. Those that do, including Forestry England, manage heathland through controlled burns in late winter/early spring when conditions are right. This ensure there IS suitable habitat for birds.

[new forest ranger @newforestranger]

Bluebells are at their best in the Forest now. As usual, my camera doesn't come close to capturing the beauty of an English bluebell wood -or the wonderful delicate scent! They never last long enough so if you haven't made a pilgrimage to your local bluebell wood, do so soon!

[new forest ranger @newforestranger]

@ByLaurieDesigns @NewForestNPA Although studies have shown that nests can be trampled by livestock it is an extremely rare occurrence - the birds nesting strategy evolved alongside large grazing herbivores.

People/dogs scare adult birds off the nests leaving eggs & chick's vulnerable to cold & predators.

[New Forest NPA @NewForestNPA]

It takes a #TeamNewForest to help care for this beautiful area 🌳

👇🏼 This video, created as part of the New Forest Awakening Festival, shows how we’re working together for wildlife, people and place.

Thank you to everyone – from large organisations to small community groups, from dedicated volunteers to one-in-a-million individuals – who look out for our Forest.

Together, we can keep it special for future generations.

https://t.co/zbXr7T20hX

New Forest - Forestry England

@NewForestDC

#NewForest #NationalPark #Awakening #LookOutForOurForest #LOFOF #Litter