Balls Wood

Balls Wood is a 58.5-hectare (145-acre) nature reserve managed by the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust in Hertford Heath in East Hertfordshire. The wood was purchased by the Trust from the Forestry Commission.[1]

The northern part has mature coppiced hornbeams together with ash and field maple. There are breeding birds such as great spotted woodpeckers and sparrowhawks.[2] The site also has open rides which provide a habitat for insects such as white admiral butterflies and wild flowers including bluebells, wood anemones and early purple orchids. There are many ponds which support aquatic invertebrates.[3]

There is access by going along The Roundings from London Road past Hertford Heath nature reserve, turning right along Elbow Lane and left into Balls Wood.[4]

References

  1. ^ "Wildlife trust saves Balls Wood". East Herts People. 1 April 2009. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  2. ^ "Balls Wood". Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust. Archived from the original on 15 February 2015. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  3. ^ "Balls Wood Nature Reserve". Wildlife Extra. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  4. ^ "Map of Balls Wood, Hobbyhouse Wood and Hertford Heath nature reserves" (PDF). Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
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51°46′40″N 0°02′51″W / 51.7778°N 0.04746°W / 51.7778; -0.04746