Langford Lakes

This month we focus on one of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's flagship reserves, LANGFORD LAKES between Warminster and Salisbury.

Over 150 different bird species are found at Langford Lakes

Nestled in the Wylye Valley between Salisbury and Warminster, Langford Lakes is one of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust’s flagship nature reserves with fantastic new facilities including a café, art gallery and events space.

The reserve has a relaxing atmosphere with good level paths for easy walking. You can enjoy watching otters and wildfowl from five hides overlooking the lakes or from the Kingfisher Café, which has a veranda and cosy indoor seating, offering visitors stunning lakeside views and delicious tea and cake.

Langford Lakes is a birdwatcher’s paradise. The four lakes and wet scrape provide a vital stopping off point and resident habitat for about 150 different bird species. Residents include kingfisher, water rail and gadwall. You may even spot some rarities on your visits, such as the osprey, the white-tailed eagle or the pectoral sandpiper.

In spring, watch for great-crested grebes shaking their heads in courtship. Reed warbler, waders and terns drop in on their summer migration. And as winter advances, an amazing array of wintering species arrive. Large flocks of lapwing can be seen flying around and feeding on the wetlands; shoveler and wigeon join the other ducks present all year round; and occasionally the endangered and secretive bittern pays a visit.

"Langford Lakes is a birdwatcher’s paradise. The four lakes and wet scrape provide a vital stopping off point and resident habitat for about 150 different bird species."

A lapwing © Gary Mantle

© Ralph Harvey Since Wiltshire Wildlife Trust acquired the lakes in 2001, islands, ponds and wader scrapes have been created to provide habitat for birds such as redshank and sandpiper that probe the mud for food. The Trust also improved the 800m stretch of Wylye River for fish, designated a Special Area of Conservation, and a neighbouring field was transformed into the Great Meadow wetland in September 2012.

The Trust has more exciting wetland habitat improvements in the pipeline at Langford Lakes over the coming years, thanks to the Network for Nature project funded by National Highways, which focuses on improving, creating and restoring habitat that has been impacted by historic road building activity. Just last month, a reedbed was extended on Brockbank Lake, and future funded projects include a sand martin bank and new wet grassland that will support breeding birds.

To prepare for your visit, find all the information you need at wiltshirewildlife.org/langford-lakes Near Steeple Langford What3Words:///package.vague. gradually • Suitable for pushchairs & wheelchairs • Dogs are not allowed • Facilities include bird hides, café (open Wed-Sun, Christmas closure 24 Dec-3 Jan), toilets, car & coach parking for disabled visitors, cycle racks • 31.62 hectares • 1 mile walking loop

• wiltshirewildlife.org

The new Nature Centre at Langford Lakes

HOW TO GET THERE

If driving - Just off the A36 Salisbury to Warminster road, follow signs for The Langfords. In Steeple Langford turn into Duck Street. Reserve entrance is on the left once you have crossed the river. (nb in rural areas postcodes can cover wide areas so satnavs may not be that accurate.) If using bus – use the No.265 bus service between Salisbury and Bath. Nearest bus stop is 500m away in Steeple Langford. If cycling – National Cycle Route 24 runs right past Langford Lakes nature reserve. sustrans.org.uk