Suffolk Wildlife Trust - Lackford Lakes, Bury St Edmunds
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Lackford Lakes is a wetland reserve, covering 121 hectares of wetland, woodland, scrub and heath created from former gravel pits. A nature reserve with year round importance for wildlife, it is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest for its birds and dragonflies.

It is a superb site for wildfowl in winter and summer, attracting tufted duck, Pochard, gadwall and Shoveler. The site is also home to a large gull roost and the largest population of Goosander in Suffolk.
The visitor centre is open Wednesday - Sunday and bank holidays throughout the year offering stunning views across the reserve. It is the ideal place to start your visit and plan your route around the reserve and its network of hides. The visitor centre has a range of facilities including an information desk, viewing gallery, gift shop, light refreshments and toilets.

A separate education room provides additional facilities for school visits, children's birthday parties, adult courses and an extensive programme of school holiday activities and other wildlife events. For information about opening times or events call the centre on: 01284 728706 or email edatlack@suffolkwildlife.cix.co.uk

Programme of Events January-April 2008
KEY: C - Child; A - Adult; F - Family
January
Tues 1st NEW YEAR BIRD WALKS with Paul Holness. 10.30am – 12.30pm and 2-4pm. £3 bring or borrow binoculars. *No need to book – places filled on a first come first served basis*
Sat 5th NATURALLY ART WORKSHOP - Drawing natural objects - led by Di Brendish (C) £3 10.30am- 12.30pm, For 5-10+ years, all abilities. Bring an old shirt. Pre-book!
Wed 9th MONTHLY GUIDED WALK – £3/head – On the second Wednesday of every month; take a walk around the lakes with a knowledgeable guide. Binoculars available to borrow. 2-4pm. Pre-book!
Sat 12th WILD BUNCH WATCH CLUB - £1. 10am-12.30pm Practical activities for 12-16s. Wear warm, old outdoor gear, bring a packed lunch and drink. Meet at the centre for 10am start Pre-book!
Sat 19th INFOCUS binocular and telescope demonstrations and sales. 10am – 4pm
Sun 20th WATCH CLUB – wildlife activities for 6-12 years. 10am – 12noon. 75p pre-book!

February
Sat 2nd WORLD WETLANDS DAY GUIDED WALKS with Paul Holness. 10.30am – 12.30pm & 2-4pm. £3 Bring or borrow binoculars. Pre book!
Sat 2nd NATURALLY ART WORKSHOP - Spirals and swirls-3d constructions - led by Di Brendish (C) £3 10.30am-12.30pm, For 5-10+ years, all abilities. Bring an old shirt. Pre-book!
Sat 9th WILD BUNCH WATCH CLUB - £1. 10am-12.30pm Practical activities for 12-16s. Wear warm, old outdoor gear, bring a packed lunch and drink. Meet at the centre for 10am start Pre-book!
Tues 12th ACTIVITY MORNING - Otter load of fun – discover life as an otter through trails, crafts & activities. 10.30am-12.30pm. for 4-7 year olds. £3. Wear warm, outdoor gear. Pre book.
Wed 13th MONTHLY GUIDED WALK - –£3/head – On the second Wednesday of every month; take a walk around the lakes with a knowledgeable guide. Binoculars available to borrow. 2-4pm. Pre-book!
Thurs 14th ACTIVITY DAY – Otters, Mink & Water Voles – find out about these water loving mammals. 10.30am-2.30pm for 8-12 yrs. £5. Wear outdoor gear. Bring packed lunch & drink. Pre-book!
Fri 15th FAMILY DAY - Build a Bird Box £5/box 10.30am-12.30pm Make your own wooden nest box to take home and go on a bird walk. All ages, adult supervision for under 12s. No need to book.
Sat 16th INFOCUS binocular and telescope demonstrations and sales. 10am – 4pm
Sun 17th WATCH CLUB – wildlife activities for 6-12 years. 10am – 12noon 75p Pre-book!


March
Sat 1st NATURALLY ART WORKSHOP - patterns from nature-mixed media - led by Di Brendish (C) £3 10.30am-12.30pm, For 5-10+ years, all abilities. Bring an old shirt. Pre-book!
Sat 8th WILD BUNCH WATCH CLUB - £1. 10am-12.30pm Practical activities for 12-16s. Wear warm, old outdoor gear, bring a packed lunch and drink. Meet at the centre for 10am start Pre-book!
Wed 12th MONTHLY GUIDED WALK - –£3/head – On the second Wednesday of every month; take a walk around the lakes with a knowledgeable guide. Binoculars available to borrow. 10.30am – 12.30pm. Pre-book!
Sat 15th RESIDENT BIRD SONG – led by Paul Holness. 10am – 1pm £7.50. Identify the song of our resident birds before the migrants arrive. Bring or borrow binoculars. Pre-book! Full payment required on booking Sun 16th WATCH CLUB – wildlife activities for 6-12 years. 10am – 12noon 75p pre-book!
22nd,23rd & 24th HOP ALONG EATER TRAIL – follow the hop along trail to learn more about the Easter bunny and Sat/Sun/Mon friends. Between 11am & 3pm £3/child. All children must be accompanied by an adult. No need to book
Sun 30th LACKFORD LAKES SPRING FESTIVAL – family event for all ages. Entry: (A) £2 (C) £1 Guided walks, seasonal craft activities and refreshments for all the family to enjoy. 11am – 3pm
April
Tues 1st ACTIVITY MORNING – Hopping Mad – animals that jump! – learn about animals that jump through crafts, trails & activities. 10.30am-12.30pm. For 4-7 year olds. £3. Wear warm, outdoor gear. Pre book.
Thurs 3rd ACTIVITY DAY - Mad on Mice – learn about different species through trails, crafts & games. 10.30am-2.30pm. For 8-12 yr olds. £5. Wear warm, outdoor gear. Bring packed lunch and drink. Pre-book!
Sat 5th NATURALLY ART WORKSHOP - making and using stencils - led by Di Brendish (C) £3 10.30am-12.30pm, For 5-10+ years, all abilities. Bring an old shirt. Pre-book!
Wed 9th MONTHLY GUIDED WALK - –£3/head – On the second Wednesday of every month; take a walk around the lakes with a knowledgeable guide. Binoculars available to borrow. 10.30am – 12.30pm. Pre-book!
Sat 12th WILD BUNCH WATCH CLUB - £1. 10am-12.30pm Practical activities for 12-16s. Wear warm, old outdoor gear, bring a packed lunch and drink. Meet at the centre for 10am start Pre-book!
18th/19th/20th BOOK FAIR run by Bury St Edmunds local group.10am – 4pm a huge selection of good quality second Fri/Sat/Sun hand books, CDs and DVDs for sale. Home produce stalls also. All funds raised go to SWT
Fri 18th BAT WALK– led by bat expert with detectors. Join us on an experimental walk to see what (if any!) bats are around at Lackford during the spring. (A) £3 (C) £1 min age 7. Time tbc (30mins before sunset).
Sun 20th WATCH CLUB – wildlife activities for 6-12 years. 10am – 12noon 75p pre-book!
Fri 25th DAWN CHORUS WALK–with warden Joe Davis Spring migrants and song birds £3. 5am-7am. Pre-book! Sat 26th SPRING BIRDS - Early summer migrants & song. Adult Course, led by Paul Holness (A) £15 10am-4pm. Bring a packed lunch & wear outdoor gear. Bring or borrow binoculars. For the less experienced birder Pre-book! Full payment required at time of booking.
Sun 27th PLANT SALE run by Bury St Edmunds local group. 10am – 4pm. A wide selection of great value plants. All funds raised go to Suffolk Wildlife Trust.
Tues 29th NIGHTINGALE WALK - led by Paul Holness. £3. 7.30pm – 9pm. Look and listen for signs of nightingales around the reserve. Pre – Book!
Wed 30th NIGHTINGALE WALK - led by warden Joe Davis £3. 7.30pm – 9pm. Look and listen for signs of nightingales around the reserve. Pre – Book!
TO BOOK & FURTHER INFORMATION
LACKFORD LAKES VISITOR CENTRE on 01284 728706
Bury Road, Lackford, Bury St Edmunds, IP28 6HX (A1101 Bury- Mildenhall) Email: edatlack@suffolkwildlife.cix.co.uk

Visitor Centre open Wednesday-Sunday 10am-5pm to end of Oct then 10am-4pm Nov-March

Centre closed Monday & Tuesday, nature reserve open all year round dawn to dusk.

To avoid disturbance to wildlife - no dogs, fishing or cycling permitted on reserve.

We run birthday parties & provide activities for schools & clubs throughout the year!