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Description
Gobions Wood is a unique nature reserve managed by Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust. The site includes woodland, grassland, hedges and ponds. Part of the reserve was once an 18th century garden where Giant Redwood (Sequoiadendron giganteum) and Coastal Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) can still be seen. In Spring the wood comes alive with a fantastic flowering of Common Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) and Wood Anemone (Anemonoides nemorosa).
(*1). From the Eastern on street parking place (please DO NOT block access) in Mymms Drive walk South West between houses, crossing the Ray Brook by way of a wooden bridge going into the reserve through a 'kissing gate'. In the open areas look up for Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk or a possible Red Kite. In the wood listen out for the short 'Kee-Kee-Kee-Kee' call of Great Spotted Woodpecker or the short 8 second 'drumming'. Both Eurasian Treecreeper and Firecrest can be found throughout the year in the woods, whilst in Summer Common Cuckoo, Common Chiffchaff and Blackcap are possible, occasionally Hawfinch make an appearance.
(*2). The Fishing Lake, at quieter times Grey Heron can be seen fishing in the shallows, with a good chance of Common Kingfisher, Mandarin Duck are often seen on the lake with a possibility of Pied Flycatcher in the surrounding trees.
(*3). If parking in the Western Gobions Open Space car park (free), note this car park is also used by fishermen and can become quite busy especially if there are dog walkers around. Leaving this car park listen out for the 'shrill' call of Rose-ringed Parakeet, in the hedges check for Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit and Long-tailed Tit, during Summer both Blackcap and Common Chiffchaff are regularly seen, whilst the open areas can have Meadow Pipit especially in Winter. Overhead you may be drawn to the 'cronking' call of a passing Common Raven, there is also a possibility of Eurasian Siskin.
Please note some areas may be fenced off for livestock, please close all gates when passing through.
Details
Access
From the M25 motorway ( to the South) leave at junction 24, follow signs to Potters Bar A100, continue on A100. Unfortunately the area is renowned for having poor road signs, turn into Mymms Drive. Press P's on map for directions. The circular walking route indicated on the map is about 5 km.