| Former gravel pits which have been
restored to a diverse wetland nature reserve which is now internationally
important to nature conservation on account of the numbers of wintering
water birds which visit the reserve.
Amwell Nature Reserve is a former gravel pit in
the Lee Valley near Ware, which supports internationally important
numbers of wintering wildfowl, along with outstanding communities of
breeding birds and of dragonflies and damselflies. The site includes
Great Hardmead Lake and Holycross Lake, which were
excavated between 1973 and 1990 by Cemex (previously RMC Aggregates),
and a variety of associated wetland, grassland and woodland habitats.
The Reserve is of international importance for wintering gadwall and
shoveler ducks. The site also regularly attracts wintering bitterns -
this is one of the best places to see this elusive bird. During mid-winter
smew can usually be seen.
The lakes and their marginal habitats attract breeding birds such as little
grebe, great crested grebe, gadwall, pochard, tufted duck, little ringed plover,
common tern, kingfisher, sedge warbler, reed warbler and reed bunting.
Seventeen species of dragonflies and damselflies damselflies have been recorded,
making Amwell Hertfordshire's best site for dragonflies. These include
hairy dragonfly, red-eyed damselfly, southern hawker, brown hawker, ruddy and
common darter.
The diversity of wetland habitats present on the site support a wide range of
plants including the nationally scarce marsh dock. An area of power station ash,
imported from elsewhere in the Lee Valley, supports a colony of early and
southern marsh orchids.
Amwell is one of the most important sites Hertfordshire for otters, following
reintroduction here in 1991. Reptiles and amphibians include grass snakes, common
newts and common frogs. Molluscs are particularly well represented at Amwell,
with approximately 25% of all British terrestrial and freshwater species recorded
here. The Reserve is also the richest site in the county for water beetles and
water bugs.
Thanks to significant funding from East of England Development Agency and Growth
Area Funding (Green Arc) in 2008, the reserve now contains 3 hides, several
viewpoints and a seasonal Dragonfly Trail with a boardwalk, which enables you to
view dragonflies close up hunting over open water.
Amwell leaflet here Lee Valley leaflet here
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| Visiting |
 From the A10, leave at the junction signposted A414 to Harlow.
At the first roundabout, take the B181 to St Margarets and Stanstead Abbotts.
On entering St Margarets and just before the railway, turn left up Amwell
Lane. After 1 km look out for a sign on the left to the reserve. Park
on the side of Amwell Lane. Walk east down the rough track, over the
railway line. The railway line must be crossed via an unguarded level
crossing and two kissing gates. Surfaces here are loose
and uneven so take care. Then walk over the River Lee Navigation to a viewpoint overlooking the Reserve.To avoid the railway crossing, pedestrian access is available
along the towpath from Stanstead Abbotts (3/4 mile) or Ware (1 1/4 miles). |
 The nearest station is St Margarets, on the Liverpool Street
to Hertford Line. From the station, walk east along the B181 to the
towpath of the River Lee Navigation, then walk north for 1km to the
Reserve which is on the east side of the Navigation. |
 The Reserve can be visited every day of the year and access is free. |
 There is something of interest throughout the year, however
it's best for ducks and bitterns from November to February, and for dragonflies in the summer. |
 Tracks around the Reserve are accessible to all. The paths
are firm and level in most places, but after wet weather may be muddy and there may
be some standing water. Stout footwear or wellies
recommended. There are occasional gates and boardwalked areas. A steep
(surfaced) bridge crosses the Lee Navigation, the footpath on the west side of the reserve crosses a
river via a moderately humped (surfaced) bridge and there is also a moderately humped
wooden Victorian bridge. The Dragonfly Trail passes through a grazed meadow (which
in places may be uneven) and over boardwalked areas.
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 Take care when visiting as the banks of the rivers may
be steep. |
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