Wild About Britain - Tell us about a reserve

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Tell us about a reserve

Tell us about a reserve

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xxx

06-05-2009 07:43 AM - permalink

Mungo

Purwell Ninesprings NR. Hitchin.

PURWELL NINESPRINGS is a Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust nature reserve off Gypsy Lane, which is a path connecting Wymondley Road with Purwell Lane, north-east Hitchin.
Access to the reserve is gained from Gypsy Lane, the gate will be seen on the western side - please note that the large field gate is for access by cattle, public access is by means of the smaller gate a few yards to the south of this one. Once through the gate and passing a thick blackthorn hedge on one side and the drier of the reed beds on the other, the meadow will be seen in front of you.
The path around the meadow will lead you to the wood.The path penetrates into the wood along a dry ridge which finishes at a small brook.
Follow the path along a small stream and through the wood and you will eventually climb a stepped incline to the Dump......

xxx

06-05-2009 07:44 AM - permalink

Mungo

The Dump is so called because the area has been built up with industrial waste.The Dump is surrounded by more trees and bushes and it contains a lot of dense bramble and and nettles. This area provides superb habitat for several common butterflies such as Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Orange Tip, Brimstone and Comma as well as an excellent area to see them.
Proceed south through the scrub to Gipsy Lane. In places you can see the water of what is presently a fishing area, previously used as a water-cress bed. The water emerges from an impermeable layer in the Melbourne Rock to produce the "Ninesprings". The quality of the water is good and its temperature changes very little throughout the year. Water Vole Arvicola terrestris can sometimes be observed in the area.

xxx

06-05-2009 08:16 PM - permalink

camo

Hi Mungo

I have walked around this reserve and found it interesting, I saw my first second and third black squirrels there. There is a stream running paralel to the houses and I found lots of old Vole holes but i wasn't able to prove current Water Voles although I strongly suspect there is an active colony.

roy

xxx

07-05-2009 09:32 AM - permalink

Mungo

Have you been to Tyttenhanger (The river) to look for Water Voles Roy?

xxx

07-05-2009 10:53 PM - permalink

camo

Hi Mungo

no I have checked it out on the web and will get there. Roy

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