Lakenheath Fen RSPB reserve

Lakenheath Fen is a nature reserve in Suffolk with extensive reedy wetlands and open water that provide home for many bird species and wildlife. The site features different habitat types connected by walking trails, and a visitor center gives information about the animals and plants found here.

The land was originally carrot farmland and was transformed beginning in 1995 by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds into a protected wetland. This conversion allowed the site to develop into a valuable home for many bird and plant species.

The reserve serves as a place where visitors learn about bird conservation and wetland ecology through watching and observing. Local guides help people understand how habitats support different animal life throughout the year.

The site is accessible with several marked trails and observation points where you can watch birds from different vantage points. Visitors should bring waterproof clothing and sturdy footwear, especially on the damper paths.

The reserve is known for its rare bittern population, which breeds in the thick reedbeds and makes distinctive calls during breeding season. These birds are hard to spot, but their deep booming sounds are an unforgettable sound for visitors who come at the right time of year.