Identified as a key neutral grassland site in the Hertfordshire Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), Long Deans Nature Reserve is semi-improved neutral and calcareous grassland, and noted for its grassland floral communities, butterflies, birds and other invertebrates.
The site is home to UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) priority species Common Linnet, Common Bullfinch and Song Thrush (also a Hertfordshire BAP species), and has been designated a County Wildlife Site. Long Deans is also noted for veteran trees, which provide habitat for fungi, invertebrates, hole-nesting birds and bats.
Within the valley bottom are a number of old oak and ash trees which green woodpeckers and kestrels can regularly be seen. The woodland supports a multitude of birds including nuthatches, woodpeckers and sparrowhawks. Foxes and badgers are also active throughout the year.
The woodland is semi-natural in origin with beech and wild cherry trees having been selected to grow in the past. Ash trees have now moved in naturally and there are many young ash saplings.
Long Deans is situated next to Bunkers Park wildlife haven (50ha), an important site for butterflies, and popular with visitors.
Long Deans Restoration Work Underway
Long Deans NR received a £24,936 boost thanks to The Veolia Environmental Trust. The award was made through the Landfill Communities Fund to conserve Long Deans Nature Reserve, a 15 hectare meadow site near Hemel Hempstead. Home to declining birds such as Song Thrush, Linnet and Bullfinch, work will start immediately to restore the site.
Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust will use the award to protect the site’s veteran trees which are in urgent need of maintenance. Chief Executive Judy Adams, explained “Veteran trees support a range of hole-nesting birds, insects and bats, but without conservation work they are in danger of splitting and dying, and losing the rich species they support.”
