Purwell Ninesprings
Lovely nature reserve with recreation ground, play area, sports courts, fitness are and small stream to play in- well worth a visit.
The open water at this reserve attracts moorhen, mallard and, in winter, teal. The reedbed is home to reed warblers, as well as water rails. The wet ground condition encourages tussock sedge, yellow iris and water forget-me-not. In winter, buntings roost among the reeds, snipe feed in the meadow and siskins feed on alder seeds.
Wildlife to spot:
Spring: Frog, grey heron, little egret, reed bunting, water rail.
Summer: Dragonfly, flag iris, ragged-robin, sedge warbler.
Autumn: Speckled wood, warblers such as blackcap, chiffchaff.
Winter: Redpoll, siskin, woodcock.
Directions:
Site entrance: 0.1 miles down footpath from Kingswood Avenue.
Access by road: From A505 towards Hitchin, turn left onto Queenswood Drive after Letchworth Golf Club. Continue onto Kingswood Avenue and drive to the end where it meets Purwell Lane.
Access by public transport
Bus: 81 - Mill Close (0.2 miles).
Rail: Hitchin (1.2 miles).