Information Board in Long Valley Woods

Image: © David Hillas Taken: 30 Aug 2021

This information board in Long Valley Woods has the following wording: Welcome to Long Valley Woods County Wildlife Site An Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland. Left section Long Valley Woods covers over 7 acres of ancient semi-natural woodland surrounding the redevelopment of the former industrial site at the end of Harvey Road. Long Valley Woods connects with Croxleyhall Woods to the north west towards Rickmansworth, and the Buddleias along the Grand Union Canal and Croxley Common Moor to the south. The woodland provides opportunities for recreational walking and nature trails and the natural environment provides much need habitat for birds, insects and small mammals. Today, Long Valley Woods is managed for its wildlife. The woodland is home to some special plants such as Bluebells, Yellow Archangel and Wood Sorrel which provide food and shelter for all manner of minibeasts including woodlice, beetles and spiders. Insects also find a home in the dead wood that stands and lies within the woodland, alongside small mammals and birds that seek shelter, food and protection here. Invasive species such as sycamore are controlled which help the native trees such as oak and hazel to flourish. Middle section Map of Croxleyhall Woods and Long Valley Woods. Right section Butterflies such as the Speckled Wood can be seen along wide paths and sunny woodland edges, where higher levels of light provide flowering opportunities for the wildflowers on which they feed. The woods are managed to maintain these areas, through hazel coppicing and occasional tree felling. The Great Spotted Woodpecker is a pied woodpecker, which is black with a large white shoulder patch and scarlet underneath the tail, the male has a red nape. It spends most of its time clinging to tree trunks and branches and its presence is often announced by its loud call or by its distinctive drumming display. The Great Spotted Woodpecker probes the tree trunks for insects and larvae but will also feed on nuts and berries. Bats love the old trees here. With their holes and cracks they provide the perfect site for roosting, and the ivy that climbs on them attracts the insects on which bats feed. The nationally scarce Natterer's Bat has been seen here, as well as one of Britain's largest bats, the Noctule. Keep your eyes peeled at dusk to glimpse them hunting along the edges of the woods. A leaflet with more information on Croxleyhall Woods can be downloaded online. On the left hand side is an image of the Yellow Archangel whilst on the right hand side are images from top to bottom of the Speckled Wood butterfly, the Great Spotted Woodpecker and the Noctule Bat. Lower left corner Long Valley Woods is owned and managed by Three Rivers District Council. The Countryside Management Service works with communities across Hertfordshire to help them care and enjoy the environment.

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