Hertfordshire - Amwell Nature Reserve
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These are former gravel pits which have been restored to a handsome wetland nature reserve. There are internationally important numbers of wintering water birds which visit the reserve.
WHERE IS AMWELL NATURE RESERVE?
Amwell nature reserve is in the Lee Valley near Ware, Hertfordshire. Type 'Amwell' into the Google maps website to get directions.
WILDLIFE AT AMWELL NATURE RESERVE
OTTERS
Otters were introduced to Amwell in the 1990's and have thrived ever since. Try spotting them at dawn or dusk as otters are most active at night.
BIRDS
In the spring and autumn Amwell can attract good numbers of waders - particularly Redshank, Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper but also occasional Dunlin, Greenshank and Wood Sandpiper.
Nine breeding species of warbler can be seen in the summer months.
Birds of prey are regularly seen, including Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, and up to ten Hobbies during the summer months, with occasional views of over-flying Osprey, Red Kite and Marsh Harrier.
Click on the following link to see a brochure containing a map of the reserve that includes the best viewing points: http://www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/herts/reserves/AmwellLeaflet0708.pdf
Walking northwest along the Lee Navigation from the watch point brings you to the Water Rail hide on your right, overlooking pools and reed beds. Here you can get good views of Water Rail and even a Bittern flying into roost if you're lucky. There is also a feeding station next to the hide.
During the winter months look out for Redpoll and Siskin in the trees around the hide and in the Alders on the other side of the river.
A little further on from the hide, just before you get to the footbridge over the Lee Navigation, there is the Bittern Pool on your right. Once again, it is possible to get good views of the Bittern as it makes its way through the reeds opposite.
From here there are two options. The first is to turn right up the track, which is the route of the old railway. This takes you over the Old River Lea and provides views over Hollycross Lake where it is possible to see Little Egrets. The bushes along the track are also a good place to see Bullfinch.
INSECTS
The bird watcher's insects are also in abundance -dragonflies and damselflies. Seventeen species of have been recorded, making Amwell Hertfordshire's best site for dragonflies. The list includes hairy dragonfly, red-eyed damselfly, southern hawker, brown hawker, ruddy and common darter. The Reserve is also the richest site in the county for water beetles and water bugs.
PLANTS
The site also supports a wide range of plants including the nationally scarce marsh dock. A colony of early and southern marsh orchids can also be found at Amwell.
REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS
Reptiles and amphibians include grass snakes, common newts and common frogs.
WHERE IS AMWELL NATURE RESERVE?
Amwell nature reserve is in the Lee Valley near Ware, Hertfordshire. Type 'Amwell' into the Google maps website to get directions.
WILDLIFE AT AMWELL NATURE RESERVE
OTTERS
Otters were introduced to Amwell in the 1990's and have thrived ever since. Try spotting them at dawn or dusk as otters are most active at night.
BIRDS
In the spring and autumn Amwell can attract good numbers of waders - particularly Redshank, Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper but also occasional Dunlin, Greenshank and Wood Sandpiper.
Nine breeding species of warbler can be seen in the summer months.
Birds of prey are regularly seen, including Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, and up to ten Hobbies during the summer months, with occasional views of over-flying Osprey, Red Kite and Marsh Harrier.
Click on the following link to see a brochure containing a map of the reserve that includes the best viewing points: http://www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/herts/reserves/AmwellLeaflet0708.pdf
Walking northwest along the Lee Navigation from the watch point brings you to the Water Rail hide on your right, overlooking pools and reed beds. Here you can get good views of Water Rail and even a Bittern flying into roost if you're lucky. There is also a feeding station next to the hide.
During the winter months look out for Redpoll and Siskin in the trees around the hide and in the Alders on the other side of the river.
A little further on from the hide, just before you get to the footbridge over the Lee Navigation, there is the Bittern Pool on your right. Once again, it is possible to get good views of the Bittern as it makes its way through the reeds opposite.
From here there are two options. The first is to turn right up the track, which is the route of the old railway. This takes you over the Old River Lea and provides views over Hollycross Lake where it is possible to see Little Egrets. The bushes along the track are also a good place to see Bullfinch.
INSECTS
The bird watcher's insects are also in abundance -dragonflies and damselflies. Seventeen species of have been recorded, making Amwell Hertfordshire's best site for dragonflies. The list includes hairy dragonfly, red-eyed damselfly, southern hawker, brown hawker, ruddy and common darter. The Reserve is also the richest site in the county for water beetles and water bugs.
PLANTS
The site also supports a wide range of plants including the nationally scarce marsh dock. A colony of early and southern marsh orchids can also be found at Amwell.
REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS
Reptiles and amphibians include grass snakes, common newts and common frogs.
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Also in: The UK's Best Wildlife Locations
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