Purwell Ninesprings

An open water reserve attracting a wide variety of bird species and other wildlife.

Location

Purwell Ninesprings

Hitchin

SG4 0NT

OS Map Reference

TL 206 293

Know before you go

Size

6 hectares

Parking information

No official parking. Unrestricted parking on Purwell Lane and Kingswood Avenue.

Access

Terrain around the reserve can be wet, and there are some steps.

Dogs

On a lead

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

April to July

About the reserve

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.

Map of Purwell Ninesprings Nature Reserve

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).