This page is for news and information about Hertfordshire's Mammals. Please submit your records on the records submission page. If you are interested in Bats contact the Herts and Middlesex Bat Group through their website.

Lecturer explains how beavers can bring benefits for wildlife and humans

Bringing Eurasian Beavers to an estate in Essex has delivered improvements in biodiversity while helping prevent flooding in a nearby village.

The positive consequences of reintroducing a species that became extinct in Britain in the late 18th century were described by Sarah Brockless, ecologist at the Spains Hall Estate, when she gave the Gerald Salisbury Memorial Lecture in Welwyn Civic Centre on Wednesday 28 February.

Photo: Eurasian Beaver at Spains Hall Estate © Russell Savory

Annual lecture to consider Eurasian Beaver introduction scheme

Reintroduction of Eurasian Beavers to Britain and their role creating diverse wetlands while helping to reduce flooding will feature in the annual Gerald Salisbury Memorial Lecture taking place on Wednesday 28 February (8pm, Welwyn Civic Centre)

Sarah Brockless, Ecologist on the Spains Hall Estate Natural Flood Management Beaver Project at Finchingfield in Essex will describe how she has developed an ecological landscape plan incorporating Beaver-created wetlands. It covers 380 hectares of farmland, woodland, agro-forestry and a diverse connecting mosaic of habitat for farm and woodland species.

Water sports plan threatens Colne Valley SSSI

Our colleagues at the Hertfordshire and Middlesex Wildlife Trust are seeking urgent support for their campaign to protect the Broadwater Lake Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) from potentially devastating plans to create a large watersports centre.

Although located just outside Hertfordshire in the London Borough of Hillingdon, the lake is part of the nationally important Colne Valley wetland system. The level of human water-based activities being proposed holds severe implications for populations of wintering wildfowl and for biodiversity across the border in Herts. as well as further south in Middlesex.