Hexton Chalk Pit
Once an active chalk quarry, this small reserve is now full of chalk grassland herbs and grasses. It is a peaceful spot with fine views across the border into Bedfordshire.
Flower-rich chalk grassland is now rare in Hertfordshire and this reserve is almost unique in having good quality herb-rich grassland of an old chalk pit. The bare chalk has been colonised naturally by fine-leaved fescue grasses and chalk-loving plants such as horseshoe vetch, yellow-wort, milkwort and rockrose. Five species of orchid and the uncommon slender tare are also present. The locally rare small blue butterfly may also sometimes be seen skirting over the grassland looking for its food plant, kidney vetch.
Around the margins of the chalk grassland is an interesting assemblage of trees and shrubs including sweet briar, hazel, blackthorn, dogwood, wild privet, field maple, oak and hornbeam. Of particular note is the wayfaring tree with its black autumnal berries and also the guelder rose with its red and purple berries.
The management regime at Hexton Chalk Pit is designed to encourage diversity of species. The reserve has been fenced and managed to keep the chalk grassland open and in good condition.
Volunteers helped with cutting and raking the lower meadow in late April. This has been done every year for the past three years in order to try and restore it to more favourable chalk grassland. Tree saplings and bramble were removed and areas of grassland cut to reduce the dominance of some species and allow flowers such as wild strawberry to establish.
Common butterflies such as brimstone, orange tip and speckled wood have been seen during warm weather and lots of summer migrants such as swallows, blackcaps, willow warblers and chiffchaffs can be heard singing around the reserve.
