Balls Wood Explained

Balls Wood is a 58.5hectare 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]

External links

• Balls Wood nature reserve leaflet, Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust

51.7778°N -0.0475°W

Notes and References

1. Wildlife trust saves Balls Wood. East Herts People. 1 April 2009 . 15 February 2015.
2. Web site: Balls Wood. Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust. 15 February 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150215161032/http://www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/reserves/balls-wood. 2015-02-15. dead.
3. Web site: Balls Wood Nature Reserve. Wildlife Extra. 15 February 2015.
4. Web site: Map of Balls Wood, Hobbyhouse Wood and Hertford Heath nature reserves. Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust. 15 February 2015.