England · five wildlife sites

Nature reserves & wildlife sites in Hertfordshire

Explore these places for wildlife in Hertfordshire. Seasonal notes suggest when to look; sightings are not guaranteed.

01 / 05

Amwell

Near Great Amwell, near Ware.

Habitat: Former gravel pits with open water, reedbeds, grassland and woodland in the Lee Valley.
Wildlife to look for: Gadwall, shoveler (especially in winter), goldeneye (winter) and bittern (winter).

02 / 05

Near Rickmansworth.

Habitat: A large former gravel-pit lake with wooded islands and sheltered banks.
Wildlife to look for: Grey heron, little egret, great crested grebe, goldeneye (winter) and siskin (winter).

03 / 05

Near Aldbury, near Tring.

Habitat: Chalk grassland on sunny Chiltern slopes, bordered by woodland.
Wildlife to look for: Orange-tip butterfly (spring), dark green fritillary butterfly (summer), silver-washed fritillary butterfly (summer), chalkhill blue butterfly (summer) and brown argus butterfly (spring and summer).

04 / 05

Near Hertford Heath.

Habitat: Mixed woodland with old hornbeam coppice, wide grassy rides and numerous ponds.
Wildlife to look for: Great spotted woodpecker, sparrowhawk, white admiral butterfly (summer), speckled wood butterfly (spring to autumn) and emperor dragonfly (summer).

05 / 05

Near Hertford.

Habitat: Lakes, woodland and meadows along the River Mimram, with reedbeds and smaller ponds.
Wildlife to look for: Water vole, little grebe, red kite, hairy dragonfly (late spring and early summer) and osprey (occasional visitor in late summer and autumn).