Hertfordshire Nature Reserves

Goldcrest Regulus regulus ©Andy Bright Website

Hertfordshire is a relatively under-watched county and over the years has shown that it can turn up decent birds just like any other county - Paddyfield Warbler, Lesser Scaup, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Falcated Duck, Yellow-browed Warbler and Solitary Sandpiper are just a few examples.

Among the most popular birding sites are the reservoirs near Tring in the west of the county. Many of Hertfordshire's best birds have been found there. The reservoirs are famous for the first British record of breeding Little Ringed Plovers back in 1938 and other ornithological highlights include Britain's first Marsh Sandpiper in 1887 and England's first breeding record of Black-necked Grebe in 1918.

In the east of the county is the Lea Valley, (shared with Essex) where some more top sites are located, such as Amwell and Rye House Marsh/Rye Meads. One last site well-deserving of a mention is Tyttenhanger Gravel Pits near St Albans which has, in recent years, proven itself as a place to watch. The county has several RSPB Members Groups, some of which have an online presence. - by Fatbirder

Amwell (Wildlife Trusts)

Old gravel pit, now managed for wildlife.
Location: TL375128 - near Amwell village on backroad to Stanstead Abbotts.
Admission: Public access
Facilities: Public hide and viewing area.
Features: Disused gravel pit with reedbeds and woodland. Breeding reedbed and woodland birds as well as Ringed and Little Ringed Plover. Wintering ducks normally include good numbers of Smew. Bitterns regular in winter. In process of becoming SSSI on basis of wintering Gadwall and Shoveler.
(Contributed by Toby Austin)

Heartwood Forest (Woodland Trust)

New native forest with ancient woodland & grassland.
Location: TL172451 - near Sandridge & Wheathampstead.
Admission:
Facilities: Paths. Bicycle racks.
Features: New native forest connecting valuable ancient woodland, including grassland habitats such as wildflower meadows. Will become largest continuous native woodland in the UK. Already best site for Short-eared Owls in Winter in the county, when it has also attracted Hen Harriers & Great Grey Shrike.

Lemsford Springs, Welwyn Garden City (Wildlife Trusts)

Old watercress beds.
Location: TL223123 - near Lemsford village.
Admission:
Facilities: Paths and hides (access by arrangement).
Telephone: 01707 335517
Features: Lagoons, marsh and river stretch provide habitat for a wide variety of water birds including Water Rail and Kingfisher. Green Sandpiper winter (juv illustrated).

Rye Meads, Hoddeston (RSPB / Wildlife Trusts)

Two ajoining reserves. Rye Meads (H&M WT) accessible through RSPB reserve.
Location: TL387099 E of Hoddeston opposite Rye House railway station.
Facilities: Nature trails and hides. RSPB reserve has close circuit TV on breeding Kingfisher and Common Tern colonies.
Admission: Charge to enter RSPB reserve (free to members).
Features: Breeding reedbed warblers, Kingfisher, Snipe. Bittern is regular in winter along with wildfowl, Water Rail and Jack Snipe.

Tring Reservoirs (Wildlife Trusts)
Friends of Tring Reservoirs website.

Mixture of habitats around a complex of 4 reservoirs.
Location: SP904161 (for Wilstone Reservoir) - NW of Tring.
Admission:
Facilities: Paths and hides. Bluebells Tearooms at Startop's Reservoir.
Telephone: 01727 858901
Features: Wilstone Reservoir, one of the four Tring Reservoirs, was made famous by the first nesting in this country of black-necked grebes in 1918. It is also home to the rare mudwort plant, and hobbies can be spotted hunting across the water. Tringford Reservoir, the smallest of the four, has a tranquil ambience. The open water of Startop’s Reservoir attracts grebes and, if conditions are suitable, little ringed plovers. Marsworth Reservoir has large corn bunting roosts, and the occasional sighting of bitterns in winter. One of the best birdwatching spots in southern England, Tring Reservoirs has a diverse range of birdlife to spot.- original content from Birds of Britain

This is a list of all the main nature reserves in Hertfordshire, or managed by a Herts local organisation.