April 2008
Langford Lakes Nature Reserve, Steeple Langford
Dawn over the Long Pond at Langford Lakes.
Photograph by Richard Watson/Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.
LANGFORD LAKES NATURE RESERVE, Steeple Langford
A sustainable future for wildlife and people.
Tufted duck, great crested grebe, and little egret.
Photographs by David Kjaer.
Welcome
Langford Lakes nature reserve liurnedurnedes in the heart of the Wylye Valley in south Wiltshire, halfway between Warminster and Salisbury. The reserve consists of three lakes and a half-mile stretch of the River Wylye.
Since the site was purchased in 2001, an extensive programme of enhancement has seen the former Langford Fisheries transformed into a haven for both wildlife and people.
Habitat creation work has turned the lakes into an ideal place for breeding and over-wintering birds, and work along the river has improved the living conditions for many plants and animals that are only found in chalk streams.
The Visitor Centre contains further information about the reserve as well as details of other sites owned by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.
The Visitor Centre and wildlife pond.
Photograph by Richard Watson/Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.
Building current deflectors in the River Wylye.
Photograph by Chris Riley/Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.
Common blue damselfly.
Photograph by Richard Watson/Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.
One of the four bird hides.
Photograph by David Kjaer/Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.
Birds of Langford Lakes
Langford Lakes nature reserve consists of three lakes, which are former gravel pits, and a half-mile stretch of the River Wylye. It covers a total area of 20 hectares, and was purchased by the Trust in 2001. Some of the shores have been reshaped to diversify the range of habitats for birds and fish; three islands have been created and the lakes’ shores planted with rushes, sedges and reeds to create safe habitats for breeding birds.
Ducks present all year round include mallard, gadwall, tufted duck, and pochard. Winter birds include widgeon, teal and the occasional goosander. Migrating birds such as waders, terns and osprey use the reserve as an important stopover point in their long journey to warmer climes.
One thing not to miss from February onwards is the charming courtship display of the elegant great-crested grebe, where they rise out of the water while shaking their beautifully adorned heads.
Over 150 bird species have been recorded at Langford Lakes in the last twenty years.
From Robin’s Hide you may see a kingfisher with its unmistakable vibrant blue and orange plumage. If lucky you may also see a little egret as it comes to roost in the trees opposite the hide at dusk.
The River Wylye, an internationally important chalk stream, is home to brown trout, grayling and a host of freshwater insects on which they feed. Otters and water voles regularly use the river and lakes.
In the summer the reserve bursts into life and colour with the sights and sounds of the cuckoo, warblers, a variety of woodland birds, butterflies, dragonflies and the typical wetland flowers, yellow flag iris, raggedd robin and cuckoo flower.
Facilities for Bird Watching
The reserve has four fully accessible hides that have been positioned to overlook the lakes to maximise the views of the many birds on site. Each hide has a list of birds recorded at the reserve, pictures to aid identification and a diary for you to record what you see.
Inside one of the new hides.
Photograph by David Kjaer/Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.
Facilities for Fishing
Day tickets are available for fly fishing on the River Wylye, with its population of wild brown trout, and grayling. Coarse fishing on the Brockbank Lake is open to members of the Langford Lakes Fishing Club, which is run by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. For more information on these please contact 01722 792011.
Fishing for grayling in the River Wylye.
Photograph by Jon Beer.
New for 2008
Glebe Walk is a new circular route that crosses the Little Langford Channel, providing a glimpse of former water meadows dating back to the 17th century. Look out for stonechats and snipe in the winter; whitethroats in the summer and little egrets in the stream. This 400m route consists of some rough terrain and is not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Langford Lakes Education Centre.
Photograph by Richard Watson/Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.
Useful Information
Visiting Langford Lakes
Langford Lakes nature reserve is open from 9.00 a.m. until dusk, seven days a week, throughout the year. The Visitor Centre and toilets are also open throughout the year.
Group visits are welcome by prior arrangement to avoid crowding in the hides. The Education Centre is an office base for Trust staff, and has a meeting room available for hire. All facilities are designed to be fully accessible and there is disabled parking at the Education Centree. For enquiries please telephone 01722 792010 during office hours.
For your safety and comfort
Children must be supervised at all times.
No dogs are allowed on the reserve except guide dogs.
Please do not swim or paddle in the water; it is deep and cold with sharp objects on the bottom.
Please take your litter home with you and leave the area as you found it.
Please leave your bikes at the cycle racks in the disabled car park.
Plan of Langford Lakes Nature Reserve.
Directions
OS grid ref: SU 037 370.
Bicycle: Langford Lakes is close to the Wiltshire Cycleway and the National Byway Network.
By bus: A regular bus service (X24) runs approximately every hour, Monday to Saturday, 7.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. Short walk from the bus stop to nature reserve along Duck Street.
By car: From the A36 Salisbury to Warminster, take the sign to The Langfords. Follow signs into Duck Street, from where the entrance is signposted.
Nearest public telephone: In Salisbury Road, next to the bus stop.
Nearest hospital: Salisbury (Odstock), 01722 336262.
Other WWT nature reserves nearby: Little Langford Down (chalk downland) and the Devenish Reserve (chalk downland and woodland).
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
Little Langford Nature Reserve,
Duck Street, Steeple Langford, Salisbury, SP3 4NH.
Telephone 01722 792010.
email: langford@wiltshirewildlife.org
Notes and photographs from a leaflet produced by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, 2008.