Beschreibung
The area is being transformed from a long runway surrounded by monotonous grassland into a country park with a variety of habitats. There's still much potential to be exploited by new species and it'll be interesting to track this process. Any lists are likely to be superseded, however, over 100 species have been reported to date (Aug 2022). Although in an increasingly developed and built-on district, it's a large open space that can sometimes feel like wilderness. It's a valuable green lung.
A stream with occasional ponds and reedbeds runs parallel to the site's eastern boundary and warblers (incl Feldschwirl) are consistently reported here, in season.
Details
Zugang
The eastern edge borders on a developed housing part of Hatfield; visitor parking not encouraged here. Private cars may use the Notcutts Garden Centre car park, there is pedestrian access nearby off Hatfield Road. Good bus routes pass along Hatfield Road/St Albans Road, giving access from Hatfield and St Albans City railway stations.
There are clear footpaths within the park, some of which are surfaced. Cycling is permitted, but wheelchairs may have difficulty off the surfaced paths.
Terrain und Habitat
Wald , Vereinzelte Bäume und Büsche , Grasland, Wiesen , Stadt/Dorf , SchilfflächenBedingungen
Flach , Offene Landschaft , Trocken , SumpfigRundweg
JaIst ein Spektiv nützlich?
Möglicherweise hilfreichGute Beobachtungszeit
Frühjahr , GanzjährigBeste Beobachtungszeit
FrühjahrRoute
asphaltierte Straße , Normaler Weg , unbefestigte Straße , Schmaler PfadSchwierigkeitsgrad der Tour
EinfachErreichbarkeit
zu Fuß , Fahrrad , RollstuhlBeobachtungshütten oder -türme
NeinZusätzliche Informationen
There are no cafes or toilets on site (but plenty of trees!), however, there are these facilities at Notcutts Garden Centre near the Smallford roundabout and there's a pub nearby.
Some areas are fenced off for livestock. Dogs must be on leads here.
An application to develop most of the site as a sand and gravel quarry has been rejected by Hertfordshire County Council and an appeal has been dismissed. The developers could rework their application and try again.
