Birding walk around Oughtenhead near Hitchin

Park in the small car park next to 76 Swinburne Ave, Hitchin SG5 2RR or in the street.

This walk is through varied habitats including the nature reserve. We will start by crossing the playing fields, dropping down to an area of scrubland that is often grazed by longhorn cattle. We'll make our way upstream to see the series of springs that create the River Oughton before returning across farmland, through woodland and back through the scrub.

Afterwards, you're welcome to join us for lunch in The Angels (Bedford Rd, Hitchin SG5 2NG) a large pub less than a mile away with plenty of parking.

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

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.

All welcome, whatever your level of birdwatching knowledge. Bring suitable clothing and footwear for the weather, especially if it has been raining in previous days.

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

We might take photos of the event to publicise future events. If you do not wish to appear in them, please let the leader know.