Wildlife Sites Inventory for East Herts 2013 Compiled by Hertfordshire Biological Records Centre 17/05/2013 Produced by Hertfordshire Biological Records Centre for the Wildlife Sites Partnership on 27/05/2011 Wildlife Site Inventory FILE GRID NAME AREA(ha) RATIFIED DESCRIPTION CODE REFERENCE 08/013 Reed and Hilly Woods TL360351 See GIS 1997 Ancient semi-natural Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)/Field Maple (Acer campestre)/Hazel layer (Corylus avellana) and Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) coppice-with-standards woodland. The ground flora is quite diverse with a good number of woodland indicator species recorded including Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta), Cowslip (Primula veris), Wood Sedge (Carex sylvatica), Remote Sedge (C. remota) and Giant Fescue (Festuca gigantea). Several orchid species have also been recorded including Broad-leaved Helleborine (Epipactis helleborine), Early Purple Orchid (Orchis mascula) and Common Twayblade (Neottia ovata). Scrub, open rides, a small shallow pool, ditch and a hedge around the margins add habitat diversity. Wildlife Site criteria: Ancient Woodland Inventory site; woodland indicators. 14/025 Broadfield Great Wood TL325314 See GIS 1997 The site comprises three compartments of ancient semi-natural woodland layer predominantly of Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur)/Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)/Field Maple (Acer campestre) and Hazel (Corylus avellana) coppice, with a small area of Hornbeam (Carpinus excelsior) coppice with Pedunculate Oak standards to the south-east. Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) and Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) scrub is present. The wood supports a diverse ground flora with many woodland indicators recorded including much Dog's Mercury (Mercurialis perennis) with Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) along with other species such as Wood Anemone (Anemone nemorosa), Remote Sedge (Carex remota), Primrose (Primula vulgaris) and Early Purple Orchid (Orchis mascula). Wildlife Site criteria: Ancient Woodland Inventory site; woodland indicators. 14/040 Throcking Churchyard TL338302 See GIS 1997 Churchyard with heavily mown but moderately species-rich old neutral grassland layer plus hedgerows and trees. Species present include Bird's-foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), Common Knapweed (Centaurea nigra), Cowslip (Primula veris) and Common Sorrel (Rumex acetosa). Wildlife Site criteria: Grassland indicators. 15/001 Capon's Wood TL366324 See GIS 1997 Ancient semi-natural damp Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)/Field Maple (Acer layer campestre)/Hazel (Corylus avellana) former coppice woodland on chalky Boulder Clay. The ground flora supports a good diversity of woodland indicator species with records of Primrose (Primula vulgaris), Giant Bellflower (Campanula latifolia) and several orchids. A number of ponds are present in the south and ditches occur to the boundary. Two interesting mollusc species have also been recorded. Wildlife Site criteria: Ancient Woodland Inventory site; woodland indicators. 15/002 Biggin Moor TL380337 See GIS 1997 One of the few Boulder Clay marshes remaining in north Herts situated on a layer remnant of Barkway Moor. Although now fairly small, and surrounded by arable and improved pastures, the site supports a wide range of habitats and communities with 2 of 138 Produced by Hertfordshire Biological Records Centre for the Wildlife Sites Partnership on 27/05/2011 Wildlife Site Inventory FILE GRID NAME AREA(ha) RATIFIED DESCRIPTION CODE REFERENCE characteristic species including fen mire, semi-improved acid marshy grassland and willow (Salix sp.) plantation. The wettest areas support a number of marsh and fen indicator species, several of which are scarce within the county, such as Wild Angelica (Angelica sylvestris), Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria), Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris), Fen Bedstraw (Galium uliginosum), Greater Bird’s-foot Trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus), Marsh Ragwort (Senecio aquaticus) and Marsh Valerian (Valeriana dioica). The scrub is important for several species of migrant birds. Wildlife Site criteria: Grassland indicators; fen and swamp indicators. 15/008 Beauchamps Green TL389309 See GIS 1997 Green lane with a calcareous ditch, old grassland and a hedge along the north Lane layer boundary. The hedge supports a range of woody species and several woodland indicators including Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) and Dog's Mercury (Mercurialis perennis). Site with protected species. Wildlife Site criteria: Part wooded green lane. 15/009 A10 Road Bank near TL356348 See GIS 1997 Road verge supporting moderately species-rich neutral to calcareous rough Hilly Wood layer grassland including Common Knapweed (Centaurea nigra), Cowslip (Primula veris), Bird's-foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), Common Centaury (Centaurium erythraea) and Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera) recorded. Wildlife Site criteria: Grassland indicators. 15/012 Busheys Grove TL386316 See GIS 1997 Ancient semi-natural woodland with some plantation. The northern part of the wood layer is composed of ancient semi-natural Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)/Field Maple (Acer campestre)/Hazel (Corylus avellana) coppice woodland with some Elm (Ulmus sp.). The eastern margin is very open. The main area of the wood is composed of Ash and Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) plantation with some old Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus). Wildlife Site criteria: Ancient woodland with some semi-natural canopy and field evidence suggesting an ancient origin; >1ha; shown on Bryant (1822); woodland indicators. 15/014 Anstey Chalk Pit TL395330 See GIS 1997 Active chalk pit with important calcareous flora recorded on the pit margin, including layer Greater Knapweed (Centaurea scabiosa), Wild Basil (Clinopodium vulgare), Burnet-saxifrage (Pimpinella saxifraga), Common Rest-harrow (Ononis repens), Cowslip (Primula veris) and Knapweed Broomrape (Orobanche elatior). The chalk faces on the north side of the quarry and at the south-east side are of geological interest. To the north there is a track with a bordering hedge plus an old chalk pit supporting scrub, old Beech (Fagus sylvatica) trees with records of a protected species. Wildlife Site criteria: Grassland indicators. 15/020 Corneybury Farm area TL35-30- See GIS 2004 Building and environs important for protected species. Wildlife Site criteria: Species. layer 3 of 138 Produced by Hertfordshire Biological Records Centre for the Wildlife Sites Partnership on 27/05/2011 Wildlife Site Inventory FILE GRID NAME AREA(ha) RATIFIED DESCRIPTION CODE REFERENCE 15/021 Moles Farm area, TL37-31- See GIS 2004 Buildings, pond and environs important for protected species. Wildlife Site criteria: Wyddial layer Species. 16/001 Northey Wood TL400331 See GIS 1997 Ancient wet Boulder Clay Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)/Field Maple (Acer layer campestre)/Hazel (Corylus avellana) coppice woodland with scattered standards of Ash and Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) and areas of Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus). There is recent interplanting to the east and west edges, on former elm (Ulmus sp.) areas, with Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus)/Norway Maple (Acer platanoides) and Wild Cherry (Prunus avium). The woodland has a rich and diverse ground flora. Of particular interest is the presence of several locally rare species including Herb Paris (Paris quadrifolia). Wildlife Site criteria: Ancient Woodland Inventory site; woodland indicators. 16/002 Scales Park and East TL419337 See GIS 1997 A large area of former wood pasture and coppice mostly replanted with conifers or Wood layer a mix of Beech (Fagus sylvatica) and conifers. Remnants of ancient Ash (Fraxinus excelsior), Field Maple (Acer campestre), Hazel (Corylus avellana) coppice woodland with some standards mainly in the west. Some Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) and Hornbeam (Carpinus excelsior). Areas of broadleaf woodland support a rich woodland flora. The rides are broad and support calcareous and neutral grassland with a diverse flora including woodland grasses and much Pendulous Sedge (Carex pendula). There are wet ditches and ponds. Important for invertebrates and protected mammal species. Wildlife Site criteria: Ancient Woodland Inventory site; woodland indicators; grassland indicators; species. 16/005 The Hale Meadow TL412329 See GIS 1997 Old unimproved neutral grassland supporting a good range of typical Boulder Clay layer species including Common Knapweed (Centaurea nigra), Bird’s-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), Meadow Vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis) and several sedges (Carex spp.). A damp hollow beside the lower pond has standing water in winter with some uncommon flora. The hedges with Bramble (Rubus fruticosus agg.) banks provide an important habitat for insects and birds. Ponds and archaeological features such as moats and earthworks add habitat diversity. Wildlife Site criteria: Grassland indicators. 16/006 Spittlecroft Meadow TL415326 See GIS 1997 Secondary Boulder Clay meadow supporting a good diversity of grasses and herbs layer including grassland indicators. Bee Orchids (Ophrys apifera), Common Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii) and Yellow Rattle (Rhinanthus minor) have been recorded. Wildlife Site criteria: Grassland indicators. 4 of 138 Produced by Hertfordshire Biological Records Centre for the Wildlife Sites Partnership on 27/05/2011 Wildlife Site Inventory FILE GRID NAME AREA(ha) RATIFIED DESCRIPTION CODE REFERENCE 16/007 Five Acre Wood TL416326 See GIS 1997 Ancient semi-natural Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)/Field Maple (Acer campestre)/Hazel layer (Corylus avellana) coppice woodland with some Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur). Good ground flora with typical