Latest news with #HertsAndMiddlesexWildlifeTrust
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Water buffalo boost wildlife at Hertfordshire nature reserve
A herd of water buffalo introduced to a wetland two years ago is having a positive effect on wildlife, a charity has said. Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust said the animals, based in Wivenhoe in Essex, had been returned to Thorley Wash Nature Reserve for a third year to graze ditches, waterlogged marshy areas and wet officer Kathryn Dunnett said biodiversity had improved, with vegetation turning greener and more wildflowers 13-hectare site (32 acres), to the south of Bishop's Stortford, is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest. The species is "hardier and more tolerant of waterlogged conditions than domestic cattle and better suited to the conditions at Thorley Wash", the charity said. "They clear the dense and scrubbier vegetation to improve that habitat, which it is hoped will help species such as endangered water voles, successfully reintroduced to Thorley Wash in 2015."If they were not employed, heavy machinery would have to be brought in to keep the ditches clear, it added. Ms Dunnett said: "Year on year, we've expanded the area that the water buffalo have grazed at Thorley Wash and we are really pleased with the effect they are having on the habitat."We are seeing the vegetation take on a much greener appearance – they are clearing the dead matter and the composition of the vegetation looks to be changing, with a bit less sedge and more grasses." Senior reserves officer Dan Townsend said volunteers had been instrumental in enabling the water buffalo to graze, by checking them and flagging up any concerns they have."We really couldn't do this without the support we get from our fantastic volunteers", he added. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
22-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
St Albans Cathedral peregrine falcon chicks leave the nest
Three peregrine falcon chicks have successfully fledged after their parents' first set of eggs was male peregrines were born in June at St Albans Cathedral in Hertfordshire, which has been home to a mating pair of falcons since looked as though no offspring would survive this year when someone crushed the first clutch in April, but a second set of eggs hatched cathedral, which has a webcam trained on the nest, said: "Thank you to everyone who tuned in and supported Alban, Boudica and the chicks. We can't wait to do it all again next year!" St Albans Cathedral also thanked the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, which has partnered with the church to support the birds of Ellis, engagement manager at the trust, said: "We're delighted to see the wonderful comeback these birds have made, demonstrating just how resilient they are." The nesting platform at St Albans has been livestreamed by cameras on the cathedral's April, viewers watched as an unknown person stood on eggs that had been recently this month, Hertfordshire Police said an investigation into the destroyed eggs was ongoing. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Rare flower found thriving in Hoddesdon nature reserve
A rare flower has been rediscovered for the first time in seven years thriving in a nature reserve - thanks to perfect weather conditions and the control of dense Tubular Water Dropwort, a member of the carrot family of plants, had been threatened with near extinction. About 130 of the plants were found by the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust team at Rye Meads Nature Reserve near Hoddesdon, Carle, nature reserves manager at the trust, described it as "an incredible find, given its rarity." It is believed the wet spring and recent dry period may have provided ideal conditions for the plant. According to the trust, the rare flower was discovered amongst the dense vegetation of the wetland meadow which was cut back last Water Dropwort can be identified by distinctive rounded, white and pink has not been a reported sighting of the plant at the nature reserve since Carle continued: "When these plants are in flower, they are easier to identify and to count, which is why we look for them at this time of year."Cutting the meadow last year has opened up the vegetation benefiting species such as the Water Dropwort." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
