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On this page we list some great places to visit in Hertfordshire to see wildlife. The linked reports give details of the wildlife seen on specific dates with photographs and access information.
Take part in one of our events, field trips and guided walks - full details here
For guides to the best Bird Watching sites click here
Heartwood Forest at Sandridge- December 2011 - Geoff Horn's monthly Wildlife blog
 21 April 2011 - Our Hertfordshire Bluebell Woods are looking glorious right now
including Ashridge near Tring, Heartwood near St Albans, Hitch Wood near Hitchin, Bencroft and Wormley Woods, Sherrardspark at Welwyn Garden City.
Click this link for details of some great sites and access information
The Bluebell Trail at Hitch Wood, on 20 April 2011 photograph by Linda Smith
16 April 2011 - Cowslip meadow at Templewood Vale, Welwyn Garden City
Park in Monkswood or at Shoplands off Knightsfield, or walk through Sherrardspark Wood and enjoy the Bluebells too.
Cowslips are out on many roadside verges and field margins too.
 12 April 2011- Hoddesdon Park Wood for Wood Anemones
One of Hertfordshire's most beautiful woods, resplendent with a green and white carpets of Wood Anemones in mid-April.
Enter the wood along Ermine Street, off road parking at Goose Green to the north (TL347087) or Danemead to the south (TL347077)
The wood is owned by the Woodland Trust and has a good network of paths.
Note there are no Bluebells in Hoddesdon Park wood.
 Stocking Springs Wood - Ayot St Lawrence, for Wild Daffodils and other early spring flowers late March to May.
This small wood is managed by HMWT as traditional Hornbeam coppice. At our visit on 31 March it was alive with clumps of our tiny native Wild Daffodils, Wood Anemones and Violets..
These will be followed by sheets of Bluebells in Late April and May.
How to get there, on the B653 from Wheathamstead to Codicote, about 2km along the lane on the left, parking in the lay-by opposite. Grid Ref, TL 202 155. Access at all times, there is a good circular path.
Photographs by Linda Smith, 31 March 2011.
 Sherrardspark Wood, Welwyn Garden City for Bluebells, lateApril/early May
The main area of bluebells is in the northern part of the woods. Car park in Rectory Road (off the B197 opposite the Red Lion) [228142] or Pentley Park near Templewood School [235142]. Access at all times, good network of paths and seats. Woodland with mature oaks and lots of birds too. Photographed on 28 April 2010 by Linda Smith.
Hitch Wood, near Hitchin for bluebells – late April/May
 Bluebells are in bloom in late April/early May at Hitch Wood. The waymarked Bluebell Walk starts at the car park on the B651 south of Hichin [TL198239].
The walk winds through the woods and there are several benches where you can relax and admire the sheets of bluebells under the oak trees.
Therfield Heath Royston for Pasque Flowers – April
 Pasque flower, Hertforshire's county flower blooms in late March/early April at Therfireld Heath near Royston. Steve Chilton visited for a photoshoot on 5 April 2009. Commenting on the scene Steve said ‘They are a magnificent sight, I took over a hundred photos, the one shown is a favourite.’
Throughout March and April – A Date with Nature – Heron watch – in Verulamium Park
Come and see these fascinating birds on the massive nests right in the heart of the city.
The viewpoint is located at the south end of the lake near the Fighting Cocks public house. The viewpoint cabin is open Tuessday-Sunday from 1000-1600 and Bank holiday Monday. The project finishes on 26 April.
The Herons on the south island are easy to observe and RSPB staff and volunteers are on hand to provide information, and to help the public watch the birds through the telescopes provided. Other species that are regularly sighted include Little Grebe, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck and Grey Wagtail. Great Crested Grebes are always present and allow very close views. To find out more, visit www.rspb.org.uk/datewithnature or call 01603 661662.
New hide at Tewinbury Nature Reserve near Welwyn Garden City, link to site guide
Tring Reservoirs for autumn migrant birds
 Wilstone and Startops reservoirs are superb place for waders and water birds such as these Little Egrets. At this time of year watch for autumn migrants and the first wintering birds, such as the Golden Plovers seen on 29 September. A star visitor was the Leach's Petrel seen on 28th.
Link to Tring Reservoirs site guide
Symondshyde Great Wood, near Hatfield Garden Village
This is a fantastic place to see a large number of butterflies in a relatively small area. Steve Chilton saw 16 species during four visits in July including White Admiral and White-letter Hairstreak. He also saw these delightful Marmalade Hoverflies. Click here to see his report and lovely photographs.
Tyttenhanger Gravel Pits near St Albans
The Tyttenhanger area is one of the best places in Hertfordshire to see a wide variety of bird species, including wetland specialists. There is plenty of other wildlife around too. Alan Gardiner visited on 28 July; click here for his trip report and photos and directions to the site.
 Hexton Chalk Pit
Once an active chalk quarry, this small reserve near Hitchin is now full of chalk grassland herbs and grasses. It is a peaceful spot with fine views across the border into Bedfordshire. Steve Chilton visited on 23 June 2009; click here to see his report and photographs, including this lovely bank of Sanfoin.
 Steps Hill, Ivinghoe Beacon and Incombe Hole – beyond the western edge of Hertfordshire
It doesn’t matter where you choose to walk from the main car park at Steps Hill, the views will always be spectacular and birds, butterflies, flowers and other wildlife are plentiful and varied. When Steve Chilton visited on 14 June 2009 he found four species of orchid in full bloom, Fragrant (photograph), Common Spotted, Pyramidal and Common Twayblade, plus masses of other flowers of chalk grassland, butterflies and birds. Tring Reservoirs and the woodlands at Ashridge are nearby in Hertfordshire. Click here to see his full visit report and photographs.
 Waterford Heath, near Hertford
This nature reserve has been reclaimed from a former sand and gravel works. Its constantly changing landscape supports an abundantce of floral and insect interest; including the scarce Grizzled Skipper butterfly and the Large Red Damselfly. The reserve is accessible at all times and conditions are generally easy.
Click this link to see Steve Chilton's visit report and photographs from 29/30 May 2009.
 Marshalls Heath Nature Reserve, Wheathampstead
This small area of acid grass heath is remarkable for its biodiversity with over 1300 species of plants and animals recorded, including more than 40 on national lists of threatened species. It is a key site for butterflies, like this Common Blue.
Wildlife photographer, Steve Chilton visited on 23 May, click this link to see his report.
 King's Meads Nature Reserve, near Ware – the largest area of grazed riverside flood meadow in Hertfordshire
Steve Chilton visited on 27 May 2009 and photographed some of the lovely spring flowers, including this Crosswort.
Click this link to read his report.
King's Meads is also one of the top sites for dragonflies in the County.
 Dragonfly Walk – Amwell Nature Reserve, near Ware – May
The specially constructed Dragonfly Walk at Amwell NR is a delight, not only for Damselflies, like this Red-eyed photographed, but also for birds and flowers that abound in this wetland habitat.
Further information, report and photos by HNHS member and local wildlife photographer, Steve Chilton, who visited on 21 May 2009.
Tewin Meadows, near Welwyn Garden City – May
.jpg) Take a short walk around Tewin Meadows along the river Mimram up to Marden Hill and be rewarded with great views of birds and carpets of flowers, like these Purple Flags.
Further information, report and photos by HNHS member and local wildlife photographer, Steve Chilton, who visited on 23 May 2009.
Balls Wood Nature Reserve, near Hertford Heath – May
Further information, report and photos by HNHS member and local wildlife photographer, Steve Chilton, who visited on 14 May 2009.
Recently purchased by the Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust, Balls Wood is an ancient coppiced hornbeam wood.
The speciality of the wood is the rare plant, Herb Paris, which is in full flower now. There are two good-sized colonies of them close to the main footpaths.
Hitch Wood, near Hitchin for bluebells – May
Bluebells are in bloom in late April/early May at Hitch Wood, The Bluebell Walk starts at the car park on the B651 south of Hichin [TL198239].
The walk winds through the woods and there are several benches where you can relax and admire the sheets of bluebells under the oak trees.
Therfield Heath Royston for Pasque flowers – April
Pasque flower, Hertforshire's county flower blooms in late March/early April at Therfireld Heath near Royston. Steve Chilton visited for a photoshoot on 5 April 2009. Commenting on the scene Steve said ‘They are a magnificent sight, I took over a hundred photos, the one shown is a favourite.’
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