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"The reserve can provide a magical 'close encounter'
with nature, be it the turquoise flash of a Kingfisher, the call of the Turtle Dove, the splendour of a fishing
Osprey or the sheer charm of a brood of new ducklings."

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Lackford Lakes lie beside the River Lark and have been created from former
gravel pits. The potential list of birds here seems never ending, with
rarities like Black Necked Grebe occurring alongside more common species such as shelduck.
A superb site for wildfowl in both winter and summer, Lackford attracts
tufted duck, teal, pochard, gadwall, shoveler and goosander. There is a large
winter gull roost and one or two pairs of redshank nest here - unusual
so far from the coast.
Passing birds of prey include the majestic osprey, whilst
buzzard and sparrowhawk can be seen regularly. In the summer months, hobby can be seen in hot pursuit of sand
martin, swallows and an array of dragonflies. This is one of the best places in Suffolk
for kingfisher, and cormorant are often seen fishing at the sailing lake or roosting in the tall trees by the river. Almost any migrant bird can turn up - black tern are regulars but species like Little Egret and the more uncommon waders are also seen.
   
Golden eye (male) Gadwall (male) Great Crested Grebe with fish Teal (male)
This reclaimed site has been
quickly colonised by plants.
Gipsywort, figwort, common fleabane and purple loosestrife occur by
the waters edge and common centaury and common storks-bill
and biting stonecrop appear in the drier areas. Encroaching willows need to be kept in check
so that the open water, which hosts clouds of blue damselfies, is not
lost. The otter has become a frequent visitor here.
Suffolk Wildlife Trusts original 11 hectare reserve at Lackford
was donated by Bernard Tickner in 1976.
In 2000 RMC donated a further 90 hectares of land to form the Lackford
Lakes reserve.

Dragonflies and damselflies at Lackford Lakes
The Visitor Centre Volunteering opportunities
Educational visits at Lackford Events at Lackford
Birthday parties at Lackford
Download our information leaflet 
Other Trust reserves nearby: Norah Hanbury-Kelk Meadows, Rex Graham
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