Langford Lakes NR & Castle Hill Country Park – Recreational Pressures

Date/Time

 30 August 2024
 10:30 am - 3:30 pm

Location

 Langford Lakes Nature Reserve (Visitor Centre),Langford Lakes, Steeple Langford, Wiltshire, SP3 4NH, South West

An opportunity to explore two very different sites and look at the recreational pressures on each.

Nestled in the Wylye Valley between Salisbury and Warminster, Langford Lakes Nature Reserve (Wiltshire Wildlife Trust) 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.

Meanwhile just up the road Castle Hill Country Park (The Land Trust) is countryside park on former farmland to the north of Salisbury which provides fine views across a huge area of Wiltshire. The Laverstock Downs, Salisbury Cathedral, Old Sarum and nearby airfield can all be viewed from the high ground. The site has developed in the last few years and is now a fantastic home for wildlife. It is a breeding ground for the Red-listed Skylark and the chalk soils allow for a range of less common plant species.

Both sites share common pressures but also have there unique issues – the event will be a chance to explore the difference in the two sites and discuss some of the issues each sites face and how other rangers may be dealing with similar concerns.

Itinerary:

10:30am – meet Langford Lakes Visitor Centre (///package.vague.gradually)

11:00am – tour of Langford Lakes (what to see: 4 lakes, bird hides, cafe and sand martin nesting bank project)

12:30pm – lunch

13:30pm – travel to Castle Hill, Ford Road Car Park (///slice.venue.summaries)

14:00pm – tour of Castle Hill Country Park (what to see: chalk grassland hill with great views, skylarks nesting, mountain bike trail)

15:30pm – finish

This event is kindly organised by The Land Trust and Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.

Tea, coffee and biscuits on arrival, but please bring your own packed lunch or funds to buy lunch from the Kingfisher Cafe at Langford Lakes (menu available online here: https://www.wiltshirewildlife.org/kingfisher).

Parking is available, but limited, so please car share where possible. Please note that dogs are not permitted at Langford Lakes due to ground nesting birds and livestock.

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