Browse more upcoming events at Lackford Lakes

Wildlife update – February 2026

The days are getting a little bit longer so some of our birds are thinking about the breeding season.  Woodpeckers are drumming, song thrushes are singing and our ducks are displaying.

When you arrive on a morning to Lackford Lakes at this time of year, you can’t help but notice the sound of singing birds so our resident birds are starting to think about the forthcoming breeding season. Song thrushes are particularly vocal with at least four singing around the centre this week.  Blue tits and great tits are also singing at times and looking at nesting sites so if you want to put up a nestbox – now is the time to do son.

Similarly to the area around the centre, ash carr is full of singing birds during a morning visit.  This is the best spot for drumming great spotted woodpecker.  List out for blue tit, great tit, marsh tit and nuthatch in this area too.

On our lakes, our ducks are looking their best and are trying to impress the females.  Teal are displaying and are extremely vocal.  Look out for shoveler, gadwall, tufted duck and pochard too.  The slough is the best spot to watch our ducks.

More early hints of spring include marsh harriers visiting the reedbeds as they think about nesting, our first oystercatchers of the year are appearing on the reserve, and the first butterflies have been reported.

Other highlights of recent weeks include great white egret, bullfinch, large flocks of siskin, the occasional report of bittern and otter being seen.

Lastly, our starlings are coming to the end for us and they are starting to move elsewhere.