Alpine Meadow
A fine piece of chalk grassland in a wooded valley within the unspoilt Ashridge Woodlands.
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The chalk grassland is rich in wildflowers and butterflies from spring to autumn. Primroses flourish around the woodland edge in spring and, later on, mouse-ear hawkweed, fairy flax and common spotted orchids can be seen. The warm sloping grassland attracts many insects in the summer, including the marbled white butterfly which is uncommon in Hertfordshire. The woodland to the south of the meadow supports birds such as green woodpeckers, finches and goldcrests which can be seen busily feeding in the winter months. Alpine Meadow is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The Trust works with the owners, the National Trust, on its management. |
| The species rich grassland is maintained by being cut and raked by the Wildlife Trust twice a year. The tree line on the southern side is gradually being pushed back to encourage more grassland. |
Autumn
The annual meadow cut and rake took place at the end of September, which helps to prevent brambles, scrub and coarse grasses from dominating the chalk grassland. With the warm weather continuing into October there were many common lizards basking around the meadow.
Many different species of bird have been seen on the reserve this year, including cuckoo, garden warbler, chiffchaff, blackcap, siskin and goldcrest. Winter visitors include redwings and fieldfare and there can be large flocks of skylark and meadow pipits flying over.
