RAF MILDENHALL, England -- Lackford Lakes are situated just off the A1101 approximately ten miles from RAF Mildenhall.

Created from former gravel workings, Lackford Lakes is now a thriving nature reserve owned and managed by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust. From an original 11hectare donation in 1976 from local businessman Bernard Ticker, it has grown to be the impressive reserve it is today.

In 2000, a further 90 hectares was added after gravel extraction on the site ceased and in 2005, adjoining farmland was acquired; providing ideal conditions for ground nesting birds. An impressive visitor's centre was opened in 2002 and from an upstairs viewing area that looks out over a pond surrounded by reed-beds you can observe birds whatever the weather. With its many feeders to entice the birds it's possible to see a number of species that come to feed regularly with very little effort.

But, if like me, you enjoy walking, Lackford Lakes has several trails with eight hides at strategic points to allow viewing without disturbing the wildlife. The reserve has something to offer all year round.

As well as the resident birds, it's possible to see many migratory species, be it the birds that arrive in the spring or the wintering wildfowl that arrive in the autumn. This spring I was able to not only hear the beautiful song of the nightingale but to have wonderful views of the bird itself, and all before I had left the car-park. In fact there were four males singing within a very small area. You may well also see and hear the gentle purring of the once common but now quite rare turtle-dove. They are sometimes seen close to the visitors centre.

There are the many migrants to be seen such as black cap, chiffchaff and whitethroat and the often heard but not quite so easily seen cuckoo. The lakes are home to many water birds; great crested grebes, moorhens, coots, herons and the many different duck and goose species, also several waders. You may even witness the occasional visit of a passing osprey or see the electric blue flash of a kingfisher as it whizzes past. It's possible to get an impressive list of species during only a short visit.

The woodland area offers the opportunity to glimpse many small birds such as tree-creepers, nuthatches and the tiny wren. It's also a good area to see woodpeckers and on a sunny day its dappled shade makes a lovely walk.

During the course of the year licensed bird ringers catch many of Lackfords birds with mist nets. Once the birds have been identified, they are ringed and a series of biometric measurements taken. Every ring has a unique number specific to that bird. All of this information is passed to the British Trust for Ornithology based in nearby Thetford. Ringing provides valuable information as to where birds go and what conditions are necessary for their survival. Many migrants fly thousands of miles to get here in the spring in order to breed. Swallows, swifts and martins fly all the way from sub-Saharan Africa, while wintering wildfowl come from as far afield as Scandinavia and Siberia.

Lackford is also home to many insects. Dragonflies, damselflies and butterflies can be seen during the summer months, attracted by the many wildflowers. On several occasions I've seen grass snakes.

Roe and muntjac deer can also be glimpsed and though muntjac, along with the ever-present grey squirrel are not native species they have become very much part of our fauna. The reserve is bordered by the river Lark which has seen the welcome return of the shy otter.

The visitors centre has lots going on both for adults and children. During the year it hosts many school parties where children learn about wildlife under the guidance of the trust's education officer. There are summer activity days; nest-box building projects, pond dipping and painting days to name but a few.

The reserves continued success is greatly indebted to its many volunteers who assist the staff with everyday tasks. They help with manning the visitors centre, group outings and inform visitors about the wildlife and where to find it. A great deal of the manual work involved in running a nature reserve is done with regular work-parties where, under the guidance of the reserve wardens, volunteers toil away, clearing vegetation, retaining paths and creating new habitats. If you would like to volunteer you would be warmly welcomed.

All this hard work ensures the right conditions are provided to retain Lackford's resident wildlife, attract new species and ensure the return of this years migrants, many of whom have made the long journey to Lackford Lakes before.

I feel sure that once you have visited you too will make the journey again.

For more information visit: www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org