Mike Andrews
Lapwing by John Langford
Brimstone butterfly by Mike Andrews
View from Double Decker viewpoint at Lackford Lakes
By Steve Aylward
Lackford Lakes Nature Reserve & Visitor Centre
Location
OS Map Reference
TL 801706View on What3Words
Know before you go
Dogs
Assistance dogs only on all trails except on the Sayer's Breck trail where all dogs are permitted. All dogs must be kep on leads at all times to protect the wildlife and delicate habitats.
When to visit
Opening times
Weekdays 8am - 5pmWeekends 9am - 5pm
Visitor Centre 10am - 5pm (cafe closes at 4pm)
Best time to visit
All year roundAbout the reserve
Listen to the sound of singing birds in spring with the arrival of nightingales and warblers from Africa. The first bees and butterflies start to make appearances on bright spring days.
Later in summer, the reserve is alive with damselflies and dragonflies. Swallows and martins sweep over the water's surface feeding on small flies. The lakesides are busy with nesting great-crested grebe, kingfisher, tufted duck and water rail. Bright stems of purple-loosestrife, common fleabane and gipsywort create colour at the water's edge.
Gold and red colours mark the coming of autumn with the arrival of a wide range of wildfowl. Birds including shoveler, lapwing, goosander, bittern and goldeneye depend on the lakes during the winter months.
The visitor centre, shop and café are open 7 days a week. There's always someone in the centre to help you plan your visit, identify anything you've spotted or chat to you about the work we do and how you can support us.
The cafe sells hot and cold drinks, a range of toasted ciabattas and sausage rolls as well as delicious local cakes from Sponge, ice cream from Saffron and Lickety Ices and crisps from award winning Two Farmers.
We have a range of items for different dietary requirements and preferrences, chat to the team to find out more.
Species
Contact us
Wildlife update –July 2024
This month has seen a gradual change around the reserve as we head into the middle part of summer. Many our birds that only have on brood, have now fledged including our marsh harriers. Some birds are still actively raising young, like our ducks and warblers that can have multiple broods. Other birds are already showing signs of autumn with the arrival of lapwing in good numbers on the slough and the occasional sighting of green sandpiper there as well. Summer butterflies are now out in force, along with lots of dragonflies.
Birds in more detail
As you wonder around the trails, look out for feeding family groups of tits and warblers like blackcap. On the lakes, we are seeing quite a few broods of tufted duck this year. They can be seen on the slough and on the eastern lakes. Our kingfishers have been seen around the artificial bank on hawker pool as the attempt to raise another family. Also, on Hawker pool look out for common terns nesting on the island. The eastern lakes are also good for looking for great crested grebes, with some fully grown young from this year showing well. Back on the slough, lots of lapwing can be seen resting and from now on look out for the occasional wader visiting. Recently there have been green sandpiper and common sandpiper there. Back in the centre, the swift on the camera is due to fledge in the next week or so.
Butterflies
After the quite few weeks that we normally get in June, numbers are building up quite nicely and it is looking like a good year for the brown butterflies – meadow, gatekeeper and ringlet. This past week has seen quite an increase in red admiral and peacock butterflies on the reserve. Look out also for brown argus, brimstone, green-veined white and others. There is potential to see up to 15 species of butterflies during a visit at this time of year.
Dragonflies
These are also showing well with brown hawker, southern hawker, black-tailed skimmer and emperor dragonflies particularly showing well.
Other insects
Summer is a great time to wader around the reserve and look at other insects that can be found like bees, wasps, beetles, hoverflies and more.
Binoculars and useful for taking a closer look at butterflies, dragonflies and insects, so be sure to bring some on your next visit or you can hire some when you get here. You will be amazed when you look at the butterflies through binoculars. We also have a range of reference books in the centre to help you identify what you have seen during your visit.
Upcoming events
Wild families: Pond dipping (am)
Lackford Lakes Nature Reserve & Visitor Centre,
Bury St Edmunds , Suffolk
Wild Walk: Bird I.D with Paul Holness
Lackford Lakes Nature Reserve & Visitor Centre,
Bury St Edmunds , Suffolk
Wild families: Pond dipping (pm)
Lackford Lakes Nature Reserve & Visitor Centre,
Bury St Edmunds , Suffolk
Wild Families: Brilliant Butterfly Walk
Lackford Lakes Nature Reserve & Visitor Centre,
Bury St Edmunds , Suffolk
Holiday Club
Lackford Lakes Nature Reserve & Visitor Centre,
Bury St Edmunds , Suffolk
Paul Harris/2020VISION
Activities & binocular hire
Hire our discovery pack - £6
Packed with ideas and kit to get you out closer to nature, all in our handy carry bag.
Seasonal spotter sheet - £2
Look out for seasonal visitors and resident wildlife that call Lackford home.
Binocular hire - £4
Get a closer look at Lackford's wildlife. Different sizes available for big or small hands.
Green Snape Community Group visiting Martlesham Wilds. Image credit: Lesley Walduck
Group visits
We welcome groups of all sizes at Lackford Lakes and can provide guided walks, introductory walks and refreshments. If you are looking to arrange a group visit, please email us and we will help you get the most from your visit:
Kingfisher © Malcolm Brown
Become a member
The support of our members helps us care for wildlife-rich landscapes such as Lackford Lakes. Join today, or renew your membership, and help protect and restore Suffolk's wildlife and wild places.