Amwell Nature Reserve is a former gravel pit in the Lee Valley near Ware, which supports internationally important numbers of wintering wildfowl, along with outstanding communities of breeding birds and of dragonflies and damselflies. The site includes Great Hardmead Lake and Holycross Lake, which were excavated between 1973 and 1990 by Cemex (previously RMC Aggregates), and a variety of associated wetland, grassland and woodland habitats. The reserve is of international importance for wintering gadwall and shoveler ducks. The site also regularly attracts wintering bitterns - this is one of the best places to see this elusive bird. During mid-winter smew can usually be seen.
The lakes and their marginal habitats attract breeding birds such as little grebe, great crested grebe, gadwall, pochard, tufted duck, little ringed plover, common tern, kingfisher, sedge warbler, reed warbler and reed bunting.
All 19 species of dragonflies and damselflies known in Hertfordshire have been recorded, making Amwell the county's best site for dragonflies. These include hairy dragonfly, red-eyed damselfly, southern hawker, brown hawker, ruddy and common darter.
The diversity of wetland habitats present on the site support a wide range of plants including the nationally scarce marsh dock. An area of power station ash, imported from elsewhere in the Lee Valley, supports a colony of early and southern marsh orchids.
Amwell is one of the most important sites Hertfordshire for otters, following reintroduction here in 1991. Reptiles and amphibians include grass snakes, common newts and common frogs. Molluscs are particularly well represented at Amwell, with approximately 25% of all British terrestrial and freshwater species recorded here. The reserve is also the richest site in the county for water beetles and water bugs.
Thanks to significant funding from East of England Development Agency and Growth Area Funding (Green Arc) in 2008, the reserve now contains 3 hides, several viewpoints and a seasonal Dragonfly Trail with a boardwalk, which enables you to view dragonflies close up hunting over open water.
To view a PDF of the Amwell leaflet click here
Amwell work parties
Make a difference to wildlife by taking part in one of our monthly work parties. Work parties take place at Amwell on the last Sunday of the month from September to March at 9:30am-12:30pm. Meet at the viewpoint. For more information contact Jonathan Braggs.
For other volunteering opportunities within the Trust, click here.
