For a thriving countryside that benefits everyone

Hedgerows are our largest nature reserve.

More than 2000 species depend on UK hedgerows, and planting more could help slow and reverse nature's decline.
Will you sign the petition calling on the government to act?
https://takeaction.cpre.org.uk/page/85848/petition/1?ea.tracking.id=local-groups
#40by50 #Morehedges #HedgerowHeroes

🌲With staycations on the rise this year we would like to help you discover Hertfordshire!🌲

There are so many locations to visit around Hertfordshire & we hope you enjoy the places we've shared below. It would be lovely to see images from along your journeys #ExploreHerts

Treecreepers are small brown birds often seen heading up tree trunks in search of food. Their long pointed beaks are ideal for probing into bark for insects and spiders. Well camouflaged for their life on tree trunks, they can be hard to spot, although they are quite common.

This is said to be one of the best views in Hertfordshire. On the high ridge just south of Royston, it's a great place to be on a warm summer day. To find it follow our self-guided walk around Barkway and Reed, one of nearly 40 mostly circular walks on https://www.cpreherts.org.uk/discover-our-countryside-2/walks/

What song reminds you of the joys of the great outdoors?

#GetOutside #Hertfordshire #ExperienceNature #ExploreHerts #NatureMusic

Wild roses are in flower now in hedges and woodland edges. The two most common species are pale pink dog rose and pure white field rose (pictured). Dog roses scramble high up into hedges, while field roses are usually no more than 3 to 4 feet high. Both are sweetly scented.

Wrens are Britain's most common breeding birds, widespread in towns and the countryside. Among our native birds only the goldcrest is smaller. Weighing 10 to 12 grams, they have a very loud song. Male wrens make several nests, then sing and display near them to attract a female.

Speckled wood butterflies are common in places with dappled sunlight. The first adults appear in spring after spending the winter as a caterpillar or a chrysalis. Another generation appears in mid-summer. It is a medium sized butterfly with a wingspan of around 50 mm (2 ins).

The warm weather has brought out the first of the dragonflies at last. This is a male broad-bodied chaser, distinguished by its blue body. The females are greenish-brown. They are typically 4-5 cm long. They are common in southern England around lakes and ponds. #Dragonfly

It's the last weekend of the Great British Spring Clean - maybe grab the kids and help clean up your local green space?
#GreatBritishSpringClean #Hertfordshire

Planning a trip out in the Hertfordshire countryside?
Look out for our native yellow flag or iris. It grows in shallow water on the margins of ponds, lakes, ditches and rivers. The sharp-edged leaves appear first and then the flowers emerge from between two leaves. #Hertfordshire

Following 'No Mow May', it's now 'Let it bloom June' – allow the flowers to grow in your garden and leave them be. ❤️

#LetItBloomJune

We have an absolutely beautiful week ahead of us,
If you plan to head out on a walk why not save our Butterfly posters so you can identify any beautiful Butterflies that you may come across!

#exploreherts #butterflies
@savebutterflies @VisitHertsUK