Hertford Heath
A rare Hertfordshire open heathland (in the process of restoration) combined with woodland, two large ponds and several smaller heathy pools. It includes the Roundings and Goldingtons.
The southern part of the reserve (the Roundings) is a rare example of heathland and supports plants such as heather, heath bedstraw, tormentil and gorse amongst other heathland species.
Being a damp heathland there are a number of wet pools with sphagnum mosses and rushes which are the special habitat for dragonflies and damselflies. The ponds are home to good numbers of great crested and smooth newts.The Heath is also home to grass snakes and slow worms.
The woodland area (Goldlingtons) to the north of London Road, consists of mature hornbeam coppice and secondary oak and birch woodland. In the spring the woods have a good show of bluebells, whilst in summer, the woodland ponds provide a fine show of water plants including yellow flag iris.
Birds which are commonly seen include great-spotted woodpecker, long tailed tit, nuthatch and tree creeper.
The Trust has a long-term management agreement with the owner, Haileybury College, and the reserve is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
The management regime is designed to encourage diversity of species. Work on the heath focuses on preventing
scrub encroaching onto the heath and maintaining the ponds.
The best time to see the heather in flower is late summer, early autumn. The Dragonflies display over the ponds throughout the summer months particularly in early July.
Volunteer work parties take place at Hertford Heath on the third Sunday of the month from September to March at 10:00am-1:00pm. The work programme is shared between Balls Wood and Hertford Heath NR. For more information contact Jackie Clark on 077090 36235.
For other volunteering opportunities within the Trust, click here.
