Discover the charm of Lackford Lakes, home to nightingales and various other avian species!
Lackford Lakes, a picturesque reserve in Suffolk, is set to host a series of educational visits for school groups, focusing on minibeast hunting and pond dipping. These visits come post-SATs and are timed with the improving weather, providing an alternative or complementary educational opportunity for students.
The activities at Lackford Lakes are designed to combine outdoor exploration with practical, sensory learning. Minibeast hunting walks allow children to explore the reserve, finding and identifying various insects and small invertebrates, often using nets or magnifying glasses. Pond dipping activities engage children in examining aquatic creatures like insect larvae, pond snails, and small fish found in the lakes and ponds at the reserve.
For added wildlife interest, guided minibeast hunts can be conducted in twilight conditions, complete with bat detectors. Torch-lit or red light bug hunting offers a hands-on way to learn about nocturnal minibeasts, including moths at moth traps. Schools can also explore guided accessible trails across meadows, lakes, and woodland rich in wildlife to broaden encounters with different habitats and associated minibeast fauna.
During these visits, students will gain valuable insights into habitats, life cycles, and biodiversity. Equipment such as nets, trays, magnifiers, and torches are typically used to facilitate hands-on discovery during minibeast hunts and pond dipping sessions.
Recent sightings at Lackford Lakes include the return of nightingales, their beautiful songs filling the air, and the sighting of two male nightingales in competition. The kingfishers have also been spotted, with their chicks now fledging. On May 10, the evening was particularly memorable, with the tawny owls hooting and two barn owls flying overhead, screeching.
The author of this article spent three days on Felixstowe beach for Wild Beach training, gathering natural objects and measuring and identifying rubbish. These experiences and activities during Wild Beach training have undoubtedly prepared the author for the engaging and educational visits to Lackford Lakes.
As the weather continues to improve and the days grow longer, more schools are booking visits to Lackford Lakes, eager to immerse their students in the wonders of the natural world.
Forest school at Lackford Lakes offers education-and-self-development opportunities through learning about minibeasts and their habitats. Pond dipping and minibeast hunting sessions encourage students to gather valuable insights into different species and life cycles.
