Nestled in the Wylye Valley between Salisbury and Warminster, Langford Lakes nature reserve is an ideal place for bird watching. The four lakes and wet scrape provide a vital stopping off point and resident habitat for about 150 different bird species. The reserve has a relaxing atmosphere with good level paths and you can enjoy watching wildfowl from five hides overlooking the lakes. You may even see some rarities, such as osprey. Residents include kingfisher, water rail and gadwall.

In spring watch for great-crested grebes shaking their heads in courtship. Reed warbler, waders and terns drop in on their summer migration. As winter advances shoveler and wigeon join the other ducks present all year round and occasionally the endangered and secretive bittern pays a visit.

When gravel was excavated during the 1960s and 1970s the process left behind holes that filled with water and were turned into a commercial fishery. Since Wiltshire Wildlife Trust acquired the lakes in 2001, it has created islands, ponds and wader scrapes that provide habitat for birds such as redshank and sandpiper that probe the mud for food.

For more information visit the attraction’s web site here.