HMWT
A locally rare open habitat in Hertfordshire, where grizzled skipper butterflies feed on wild strawberry.
Waterford Heath is a former sand and gravel quarry north of Hertford. Quarrying ceased on the site in the early 1990s and work was undertaken to restore it to create a 'community nature park'. It contains a range of habitats including grassland, scrub, plantation woodland and a small area of ancient, semi-natural woodland. The reserve is important for its populations of grizzled skipper butterflies, which feed on the abundant wild strawberry. Skylarks and willow warblers are known to breed on the site. In the autumn and winter fieldfares and redwings are regular visitors.
If you are interested in volunteering at this site please click here to see if there are any volunteering opportunities coming up in the future.
Species and habitats
- Habitats
- Grassland, Woodland
- Species
- Skylark, Buzzard, Red Kite, Purple Hairstreak, Viper's-bugloss, Centaury, Bird's-foot-trefoil, Carline Thistle, Willow Warbler
Nearby nature reserves
- Willowmead
- 2 miles - Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust
- King's Meads
- 2 miles - Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust
- Tewin Orchard and Hopkyns Wood
- 3 miles - Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust