Danemead nature reserve is part of the Wormley/Hoddesdon Park Wood SSSI and Special Area of Conservation (SAC). This complex of woods is cited as being one of the two outstanding localities in the UK for Oak-Hornbeam forest. Danemead is an integral part of this complex. It consists of valley mire, unimproved damp acid grassland, scrub, stream and Hornbeam woodland.
The wood in which Danemead is located is known to possess significant archaeological and historic interest. The site is bounded by the major Roman road, Ermine Street and by the north end of Martins Green.
The damp meadow at the centre of the site supports a very rich flora, including sneezewort, marsh valerian, greater bird's-foot trefoil, meadowsweet and Devil's-bit scabious. The Trust's flock of Shetland sheep graze the meadow in autumn. The woodland has wood sorrel, wood spurge, wood sage and large numbers of broad-leaved helleborine orchids. Butterflies are abundant and include the white admiral. Purple emporer is found in the surrounding woodland and willows in the reserve are thought to provide a larval habitat.
Breeding birds in the reserve locality include sparrowhawk, woodcock, cuckoo, all three woodpeckers, garden warbler, treecreeper, hawfinch and bullfinch, with possible redpoll and siskin. The Spital Brook is a significant and highly attractive feature of the reserve, its margins supporting many fine hornbeam pollards.
BBC 3 Counties Breakfast Show host, Stephen Rhodes, recently visited Danemead to learn about the reserve and Will For Wildlife Week. Listen to the interview here.
Make a difference to wildlife by taking part in one of our monthly work parties. Work parties take place at Danemead on the third Sunday of the month from September to March at 10:00am-1:00pm. Meet at Martin's Green car park off Cock Lane. For more information contact Mick Velasco 01992 442004. New volunteers welcome.
For other volunteering opportunities within the Trust, click here.
