About the reserve

Levington Lagoon is one of the best spots for wetland birds along the River Orwell; a sanctuary for wildlife amongst the busy waters of the estuary.

The salty lagoons that make up the nature reserve were created during the infamous floods of 1953, which affected much of the east coast of England. Floodwaters from the fields breached the man-made sea wall, creating an opportunity for the river to reclaim the historic marshes that once bordered much of the Orwell Estuary.

As nature and wildlife have returned to the site, it’s become a magnet for breeding and wintering wading birds, with spectacular numbers throughout the seasons. Seasonal specialities include greenshank, redshank, lapwing, dunlin, short-eared owl, and flocks of pipits.

To ensure the reserve is in the best condition for wildlife, we control the water levels via a unique system of sluices that create the perfect habitats for birds to nest and raise their chicks.

Levington Lagoon is cared for by Suffolk Wildlife Trust on behalf of Suffolk Yacht Harbour Ltd.