Lackford Lakes Nature Reserve & Visitor Centre
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 – Late June at Lackford Lakes
It is now feeling like summer on the reserve, with lots of action to be found all around the reserve. Butterflies, dragonflies, birds, flowering plants, and other insects.
Birds
- Marsh harriers – still feeding young at both nest sites. Hopefully the young marsh harriers will start attempting to fly in the next week or so.
- Swifts – currently sitting on eggs in our boxes. The one on our camera in the centre should hatch this coming week.
- Young birds – lots of warblers and tits now flying around the reserve, a family group of 7 young tufted ducks appeared on the slough, some grebes down the eastern end of the reserve and young woodpeckers have been seen around ash carr.
- Returning birds after the breeding season – this is already happening with a build up of teal and lapwing on the slough. Around 15 of each are now present there.
Dragonflies and Damselflies
These are the stars of the show right now, with lots to be seen around the reserve. Look out for:
- Emperor Dragonfly – on most smaller pools so try the centre pool, the raised pond and the water in front of Bernards hide.
- Four-spotted chaser – found on most areas of water on the reserve. Good views on the sailing lake and from Bernard’s hide.
- Black-tailed skimmer – look around the trails as you walk around the reserve.
- Banded demoseille – Best around the metal bridge near Bess’s viewpoint.
- Brown hawker – can be seen by the trails.
- Southern Hawker – just beginning to be seen about the reserve.
- Blue-tailed, common and Azure Damselflies can be found almost anywhere on the reserve.
Butterflies
These have been a bit quiet so far this month, but things are looking better on the reserve now. Look out for:
- Small heath – follow the red trail to our breckland fields for these.
- Common blue – follow the red trail.
- Brown argus – follow the red trail.
- Meadow brown – found in areas of grassland throughout the reserve.
- Large skipper – found in areas of grassland.
- Red admiral – a few now about on the reserve
- Speckled wood – best to look around ash carr for these.
Flowering plants
The breckland fields by following the red trail are best for looking at flowering plants currently. In particular vipers bugloss is making some areas look blue.
Other insects
Look closing in the shrubs, bushes and plants by the trails and you will discover a whole host of insects. Look out for caterpillars, bees, grasshoppers and more.
Summer is a great time to visit lackford lakes to see the mix of wildlife that make the reserve their home. Remember to bring your binoculars or hire some when you next visit to get a closer look at all the different wildlife mentioned in this update from dragonflies to flowering plants.
Upcoming events
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.
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:
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.