Winter at Lackford

It has been very wet here at Lackford, this winter. Many areas of the reserve have been flooded on a regular basis including the Kingfisher (blue trail). The changes in water levels have been suiting our birds well and our winter wildlife has carried on as normal. Lots of small birds have been seen at our feeders at the centre including siskin and redpoll. The gull roost on the sailing lake continues and lots of winter ducks can be seen on the lakes. The changes in conditions, has resulted in a few interesting photos of the reserve in ways that we do not normally see it.

During this current COVID-19 restrictions, Lackford Lakes is only open for local people.

The winter so far can be summed up as very wet with many areas of the reserve being flooded. The following photos shows you just how much water has been around.

Flooding at Lackford Lakes - bridge at Bernard's hide

Flooding at Lackford Lakes - near Hawker pool

flooding at Lackford lakes - from 1st bench

Floosing at Lackford Lakes - from 1st bench

The winter months are our busiest time at our bird feeders with lots of birds visiting. During this time of year, siskin and redpoll are regular visitors to our feeders. Lots of other birds are visiting including marsh tit, blue tit, great tit and the occasional great spotted woodpecker.

Winter is also the time when lots of ducks are present on our lakes. The goldeneye is one of our favourites. We have not seen too many of these this winter for some reason but there is a few on the sailing lake or hawker pool. There are plenty of pochard, tufted ducks, teal, wigeon, gadwall and shoveler too.

Wader wise, we have not seen too much from these but snipe are loving it with counts of 30+ on the slough – often seen grouped together. The occasional lapwing is visiting as well.

The gull roost is at its peak at the moment with thousands settling down on the sailing lake at the end of the winters day. Here is a photo of the roost taken recently.

Even though it is winter, many of our resident birds are beginning to think about the coming breeding season. The thrushes are starting to sing, the woodpecker is drumming away and blue tits are looking for nesting sites.

Lastly, I will finish with a few photos of Lackford in the winter months.