Two large wetland habitats in the south-west of the county are a haven for birds which fly in now to overwinter in the area. Louise Sleeman, Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust people and wildlife officer, gives a guide to what to see and outlines a project to make the region even better for wildlife and nature lovers
![Bird Paradise](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/10290/248529/5a04528dc9ae4/Bird-Paradise.jpg)
COLNE Valley Regional Park, running from the south-west of the county down to Egham in Surrey, covers over 40 square miles and is a mosaic of farmland, woodland and water with 200 miles of river and canal and more than 60 lakes. Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust manages two Affinity Water owned sites in the valley – Springwell Reedbed and Stocker’s Lake, both in Rickmansworth. The two nature reserves are a vital part of the wider landscape, their proximity to London offering wildlife a valuable refuge in an otherwise crowded and urban space.
Springwell is the largest reed bed in the area and the wetland provides an important undisturbed refuge for wildlife in this built-up part of the Colne Valley. The reserve makes up six per cent of the wider London area’s reed beds and is a natural filter - it absorbs pollution from water as it grows and improves water quality in the Colne Valley. The most abundant plant on this reserve, the common reed, provides homes to wildlife such as harvest mice who weave their nests around the stalks. Hidden in the dense vegetation are reed warblers in the summer and water rails in winter. Moorhens breed here and bats fly overhead, hunting for moths over the reeds.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 2017 من Hertfordshire Life.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 2017 من Hertfordshire Life.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Explosive history
With bonfire night this month, author Harry Smee recounts the explosive story of his family’s firework company, Brock’s, creators of wonders and war-changing weapons
![A Day In The Life Of... A Jewellery Designer](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10290/539332/5f9675971863e/crp_A-day-in-the-life-of-a-jewellery-designer.jpg)
A Day In The Life Of... A Jewellery Designer
Laurie McGrath, senior designer at Harriet Kelsall bespoke jewellery in Halls Green, gives an insight into her working day
![Sniffig out clues in THE ASHES](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10290/539332/5f966c73d8038/crp_Sniffig-out-clues-in-THE-ASHES.jpg)
Sniffig out clues in THE ASHES
Meet the fire investigation dogs securing convictions against arsonists and murderers who otherwise may go free
![The greatest traveller](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10290/539332/5f966a6aca407/crp_The-greatest-traveller.jpg)
The greatest traveller
Exploring ancient civilisations and rising powers, Violet CressyMarcks became the most travelled woman of her age. Fifty years after her death we look at her incredible life
Return of the Queen of Romance
Twenty years after the death of record-breaking novelist Dame Barbara Cartland, Gillian Thornton talks passions, plots and a new audience with her son at the family home in Essendon
![In bed with CELEBS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10290/539332/5f965df3ef3fa/crp_In-bed-with-CELEBS.jpg)
In bed with CELEBS
Marking its 70th year, Welham Green soft furnishings company Ashley Wilde has grown from a pile-it-high, sell-it-cheap business into an industry leader with A-list partnerships
![Roam with a view](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10290/539332/5f9667ab48628/crp_Roam-with-a-view.jpg)
Roam with a view
We may not have coastline or mountains, but Herts has beautiful views all the same, if you know where to look
![Saving Mrs Tiggy-Winkle](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10290/539332/5f96707eb48f5/crp_Saving-Mrs-Tiggy-Winkle.jpg)
Saving Mrs Tiggy-Winkle
The secret life of a much-loved British mammal and simple steps we can take at home to stop its extinction
A walk down Surreal Street
Paul Crowley draws on his graphic designer’s eye to capture scenes from the country to the street, all tinged with surreality
![5 minutes with](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10290/539332/5f966e7112591/crp_5-minutes-with.jpg)
5 minutes with
Carole Spiers, Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce member and founder of International Stress Awareness Week