Long-tailed duck, long time coming.

Well what a surprise! As you may have seen on social media or heard on the Lesley Dolphin BBC Suffolk radio this week, Lackford has a new visitor. Fresh in all the way from Scandinavia and a very rare visitor for inland waters, an adult female long-tailed duck has appeared on the reserve. These ducks are coastal birds and usually are seen much further north than Suffolk. So rare it is, that this is the first time in 20 years a long-tailed duck has appeared at Lackford. The one that showed up in 1995, stayed for 7 months according to resident bird ringer Colin Jakes.

Regular visitor Barry Woodhouse managed to get this shot of the bird from Bess' hide.

Female long-tailed duck by Barry Woodhouse

The duck is often seen on Long Reach, but a scope is advised as it divides its time from being in front of the hide to being far away at the back of the lake. It's a diving duck, which spends a lot of its time under water, for up to 30 seconds. So a bit of patience will be required.

Another view by Malcom Hupman

At times the Bess' hide became quite busy with lots of eager visitors wanting to get a view and no-one went away disappointed.

Standing room only at Bess'

Pop into the visitor centre on your arrival to find out where the bird, as well as many other things, is showing.

It's not long now.

Well, it only feels like last month had just turned spring and christmas is almost upon us. The year has flown past, it must have been fun, so they say. So, getting ready for the festive time, we now have our christmas cards in stock.

A fine selection of cards to choose from.

We also have a Lackford christmas card if you want to show your friends and family where you spend your time throughout the year.

Christmas time at Lackford Lakes by Michael Coulter

There are 6 cards to a pack, which are very reasonable priced between £2.75 & £2.95 with all proceeds going towards the Trust.

We have plenty of new stock in the shop too with lots of ideal gifts for the naturalist in your family.

Something for everyone in our shop.

A new special offer.

It's winter time and now more than ever, your garden birds need their feed. That's why here at Lackford, you can take advantage of our special offer. Every time you buy a small bag of bird food from us at Lackford, we will stamp your loyalty card. Collect 5 stamps and you'll receive your 6th bag FREE! So why not pop into today and get your loyalty card from the counter with your first bag.

Our special offer.

Despite the warm weather

Despite the unseasonably warm weather of late, we now how firewood back in stock to keep you warm when the weather does take a turn to chilly temperatures. It's £6 a bag and can be bought from the visitor centre. 

Sightings

Kingfisher continues to show around the reserve, favorite spots to see it are Bess', Atlas, Double-decker and Bill's hides. Goldeneye have arrived and have been spotted on the sailing lake and from Bess'. Wigeon, teal, pochard and shoveller are increasing in numbers and can be seen at various places across the reserve.

Another oddity turned up last week in the shape of a black swan. This is most likely going to be an escapee.

Black swan by Barry Woodhouse

The swan like to move around a bit from one end of the reserve to the other, but Plover lake is its favorite spot at the moment.

Nuthatch, goldcrest, treecreeper, long-tailed tits and siskin are regularly being spotted down at Ash Carr. 

It's an interesting time of year at Lackford where birds are coming in to spend their winter months and this can be seen every evening when the gulls come into roost on the sailing lake in their thousands.

We look forward to seeing you soon.