Stanborough Reedmarsh
At the farthest end of the popular Stanborough Park Lakes is a quiet and rich wildlife haven, including the third largest reedbed in Hertfordshire.
The reserve is composed of willow woodland, river bank and fine reed marsh. The wet woodland consists mainly of various types of willow, some of which have been pollarded in the past. The wet, peaty soil is rich in nutrients that are responsible for the fast growth of vegetation, such as great hairy willowherb and meadowsweet. In summer you may see water figwort, common meadow rue and water chickweed along the river bank. On the far side of the river the reed marsh is clearly visible and this is an important habitat for large numbers of reed and sedge warblers which nest here in summer. In winter water rails are heard and reed and corn buntings gather to roost in the evening.
Reed marsh is a fragile habitat and without careful managent would soon silt up and eventually become willow and alder woodland. This is known as the process of succession and the reserve as a whole is an excellent example of this; ranging from open water through reed marsh to woodland.
The reserve is leased to the Trust from Welwyn Hatfield Council.
The management regime is designed to encourage diversity of species. To prevent losing the reed marsh, the reeds are cut in rotation and removed to allow fresh reed growth. The reeds were once cut in this way and used in roof thatching.
