Broadwater Lake SSSI Under Threat
Broadwater Lake, Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is under threat again by Hillingdon Council's Watersports Development.
Find out more here >> Broadwater Lake
Submit objections and comments by Friday 9th January 2026 here >> Planning Application Hillingdon
Herts Christmas Bird Count 2025
Total Species : 118 records as at 1200 1-Jan-2026
Wow! What a Christmas Count that turned out to be!
The period got off to a strong start on Christmas Day with a Marsh Harrier over Wilstone Reservoir, along with a Great White Egret and a Yellow-legged Gull. And the first of six Firecrest found during the count was at Northchurch.
Things really gathered pace on Boxing Day. At Wilstone Reservoir, a drake Smew was located early in the morning, followed later by
Winter Bird Survey WINBS
The BTO is running a Winter Bird Survey aimed at collecting important information on the numbers and distribution of the UK’s wintering birds, information which will help to inform land management approaches so they better benefit birds.
Though the dates for the first site visit are past, there is still an opportunity to take part in December through February.
Interested?
Contact martinketcher@gmail.com or sign up directly with BTO here > Winter Bird Survey | BTO
For more information on this survey plus others you can get involved in go to Herts Bird Club | Surveys and Projects
Embankment strengthening works at Wilstone Reservoir
A 15 month program to strengthen the embankment at Wilstone Reservoir is underway. Further details can be found in the links below but key impacts are:
- no access around the bank; pedestrians will be diverted through the field next to the reservoir
- car park is fully closed for several months from September
- the road alongside the car park (B489) is closed for several weeks from September between the junctions for Drayton Beauchamp and Wilstone.
- the hide remains fully open
Alternative parking options are limited but include the Mead's Farmhouse during business hours, or Startop's End Reservoir and walking along the dry canal.
The Birds Of Tyttenhanger Gravel Pits 1945 - 2023
The Birds of Tyttenhanger Gravel Pits 1945-2023 has been published on the Herts Bird Club Website and can be found here
Pages
HNHS News
Autumn Conference and 2026 AGM - Saturday 7 November
Members and friends are warmly invited to join us for the 2026 Autumn Meeting and Annual General Meeting on Saturday 7 November at the offices of Affinity Water, Tamblin Way, Hatfield, AL10 9EZ (2-5.30pm).
The featured speakers this year are Martin Ketcher, voluntary warden of the Purwell Nine Springs nature reserve in Hitchin for 46 years and Wendy Morrison, Director of the Chilterns Heritage & Archaeology Partnership. Winners of the annual HNHS awards will be announced.
HNHS Award nominations: 2026
Members are invited to submit nominations for the HNHS 2026 Awards, which will be presented at the Autumn Conference on Saturday 7 November.
Our two annual categories are the Trevor James Award for an outstanding Hertfordshire Naturalist and the 1875 Award for an outstanding contribution to natural history in Hertfordshire. Further information – including information about past winners – can be found on this website, together with a one page nomination form that covers the main criteria.
The Hertfordshire Naturalist 2026 – contributions sought
Stuart Warrington, editor of the Hertfordshire Naturalist, is looking for for contributions to the 2026 edition.
These can be articles or observations or photos about the wildlife, habitats or geology of the county. We are happy to look at a range of content and styles, so please do consider making a contribution to our long-running journal.