Amwell GP
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By Public Transport: Take a train from Liverpool Street station towards Hertford North and disembark at St Margarets station. On the east side of the station follow the road - River Meads - northwards until the lock. Walk north for a kilometre towards the lookout point with the reserve across the canal on your right. | By Public Transport: Take a train from Liverpool Street station towards Hertford North and disembark at St Margarets station. On the east side of the station follow the road - River Meads - northwards until the lock. Walk north for a kilometre towards the lookout point with the reserve across the canal on your right. | ||
| + | [http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=537450&Y=212650&A=Y&Z=115 '''Map''':] (arrow on map points to approximate position of lookout point) | ||
| - | |||
'''Access''': Most people only watch from the lookout point although there is a circular walk around the reserve with a hide at the northern end. There is also another pit on the western side of the railway line. | '''Access''': Most people only watch from the lookout point although there is a circular walk around the reserve with a hide at the northern end. There is also another pit on the western side of the railway line. | ||
| + | |||
'''Birds''': | '''Birds''': | ||
| - | Winter: A reliable place for Smew, usually including a few drakes. Other ducks such as Wigeon, Teal, | + | Winter: A reliable place for '''Smew''', usually including a few drakes. Other ducks such as '''Wigeon''', '''Teal''', G'''oldeneye''', '''Pochard''' and T'''ufted Duck''' should also be present. '''Bitterns''' can sometimes be seen, typically at dusk. There is a roost of gulls, often including a '''Mediterranean Gull''', and '''Little Egrets''' roost on one of the wooded islands. '''Siskins''' are sometimes present in the surrounding trees. |
| - | Summer: Breeding birds include Little Ringed Plover and Sand Martin. Hobbies are also seen regularly. | + | Summer: Breeding birds include '''Little Ringed Plover''' and '''Sand Martin'''. '''Hobbies''' are also seen regularly. |
Spring/Autumn: Amwell is probably the best place to observe migrating birds in the Lee Valley, especially raptors and waders. | Spring/Autumn: Amwell is probably the best place to observe migrating birds in the Lee Valley, especially raptors and waders. | ||
| - | Rarities: Laughing Gull (December 2006), Black Stork, Great White Egret and Lesser Yellowlegs have all been recorded. | + | Rarities: '''Laughing Gull''' (December 2006), '''Black Stork''', '''Great White Egret''' and '''Lesser Yellowlegs''' have all been recorded. |
Current revision as of 18:41, 10 December 2009
Amwell Gravel Pit (or Amwell Quarry Nature Reserve to give it its full name) is located in the Upper Lee Valley.
Directions:
By Car: Leave the A10 heading towards the A414 and at the roundabout take the B181 towards St Margarets. Take the second road on the left - Amwell Lane (just before the level crossing) - and after a kilometre park on the right at TL377122. Follow a track across the railway line to the lookout point at the northern end of the reserve.
By Public Transport: Take a train from Liverpool Street station towards Hertford North and disembark at St Margarets station. On the east side of the station follow the road - River Meads - northwards until the lock. Walk north for a kilometre towards the lookout point with the reserve across the canal on your right.
Map: (arrow on map points to approximate position of lookout point)
Access: Most people only watch from the lookout point although there is a circular walk around the reserve with a hide at the northern end. There is also another pit on the western side of the railway line.
Birds:
Winter: A reliable place for Smew, usually including a few drakes. Other ducks such as Wigeon, Teal, Goldeneye, Pochard and Tufted Duck should also be present. Bitterns can sometimes be seen, typically at dusk. There is a roost of gulls, often including a Mediterranean Gull, and Little Egrets roost on one of the wooded islands. Siskins are sometimes present in the surrounding trees.
Summer: Breeding birds include Little Ringed Plover and Sand Martin. Hobbies are also seen regularly.
Spring/Autumn: Amwell is probably the best place to observe migrating birds in the Lee Valley, especially raptors and waders.
Rarities: Laughing Gull (December 2006), Black Stork, Great White Egret and Lesser Yellowlegs have all been recorded.
