Winter morning visit to Lemsford Springs reserve.

Using the address 5 Lemsford Village, AL8 7TN park in this quiet street that is just off the roundabout beside the A1M.

Using a key from the Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust, we'll go through the gate into this small but special reserve that has completed major works in the past year to build back the banks of the River Lee to prevent it flooding the reserve and to preserve the springs that might otherwise freeze.

It's a short walk to the hide where we hope to see purple sandpiper, grey heron, little egret, grey wagtail and perhaps even a water rail. We might then complete the short circuit of the reserve, a distance of no more than a kilometre before heading for brunch at the Harpsfield Hall, 13a Parkhouse Ct, Hatfield AL10 9RQ. This is about 3 miles away by car and parking outside the pub is free for 90 minutes, but you must still get a ticket from one of the machines.

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

Parking spaces are limited so 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 going to lunch afterwards. 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. It will go ahead 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.