Singlers Marsh Nature Reserve - Woodlands and nature reserves
- Overview of habitat
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This wet meadow lies adjacent to the River Mimram on the northern edge of Welwyn. Managed by cattle grazing and cutting, it represents a rare habitat in Hertfordshire.
Singlers Marsh comprises a section of regionally important chalk river and lowland flood meadows. The mosaic of grassland, willow scrub and more mature trees attract a wide range of wildlife especially plants of wet meadows, insects and birds including summer visitors. - How to access
- Access is via several kissing gates along Fulling Mill Lane.
- Volunteer with us
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In recent years, the Friends of the River Mimram and the Wednesday Volunteers have been coppicing Goat willows along the old river course.
- How we manage the site
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Contractors have pollarded more Willows throughout the reserve. Although the coppicing and pollarding looks drastic, healthy new shoots will soon grow from the stumps to provide good cover for wildlife.
Grazing with rare breed cattle also occurs - this aims to control taller vegetation in a more ecologically sympathetic way, Nettles continue to be cut when necessary during the summer months.
Attractive new information boards have been installed at each end of the nature reserve.
At all our sites, we manage them with a balanced consideration to improve both wildlife biodiversity and public amenity whilst providing a safe and attractive experience for visitors.
All of our major sites have a dedicated ecological management plan which is used to help tailor the management to suit differing landscapes and habitat types. - Find on a map
- Additional information