Bird spotting walk around West Hyde Gravel Pits (Rickmansworth)

Park in the car park of the Coy Carp Harefield, UB9 6HZ. This pub is where Coppermill Lane crosses the Grand Union Canal. The pub is the far side of the bridge, the car park is a hundred yards on the right before it. Feel free to park there even if you don't intend staying for lunch.

From the car park, we'll walk along the footpath to check out Pyefield Lake where we might see kingfishers, teal and shoveler. The muddy margings often attract grey heron and wintering snipe. We'll back-track to the bridge and along the towpath to the causeway of the Troy Arm between two more lakes, a good spot to scan for diving ducks as well as flocks of finches in the willows. Again, we'll back-track to the towpath and return to the start.

The walking is generally flat, but it can be very muddy and potentially slippery in places.

The event is free but a voluntary donation of £2 per person is suggested.

All welcome, whatever your level of birdwatching knowledge. There are some slopes and uneven ground, so wear suitable footwear - it could be very muddy.

It will go ahead if it is raining. Call Rob on 07512 704744 for further details.

Please try and car share. If you would like to do that but are not sure who else is attending, feel free to email the organiser, Rob Blythe, on rbblythe@hotmail.com. Give him your phone number, your address, whether you would prefer to drive, be a passenger or either of those, and whether you intend staying for lunch. By doing so, you are giving him permission to pass on your contact details to others attending the event to see whether car sharing is viable.

A grey wagtail could bob-up at any moment!

Afterwards, you're welcome to join us for lunch at the Coy Carp. Their sandwiches are served with chips or salad for around £11 and mains are around £16 - £19.