The BTO Nunnery Lakes Reserve follows a series of lakes created by old gravel workings and lies south of Thetford in the Brecklands, between the Rivers Thet and Little Ouse. Explore the 1.5 kilometres of waymarked paths that lead you around the trail and learn about the wildlife found on this wonderful reserve along the Discovery Trail.
The reserve falls within the Brecks Living Landscape which is famed for holding the largest open expanse of low lying heath remaining in Britain today, making the region of significant national and international importance. The unique variety of plants and animals found here arises from the underlying geology, which creates interwoven pockets of acid and calcareous soils, whilst the location of the Brecks on the continental plate makes it one of the driest regions in Britain.
This County Wildlife Site contains a mosaic of unusual Breckland habitats, from species-rich chalky grassland to flood meadow and fen, wet woodland and acid grassland to chalk rich rivers, lakes and flushes. A number of speciality plant species exist side by side across the reserve over the characteristic habitats including, wild mignonette, tower mustard, Breckland thyme and vipers bugloss.
Habitats - Neutral, acid and chalk grasslands, flood meadow, fen, wet woodland, scrub, lakes and river.
When to visit – Anytime from late May through to late August is great for insects and birds, but the site is so large that no matter which month you visit you’ll find interesting wildlife throughout the year.
Associated Groups - British Trust for Ornithology and Friends of Nunnery Lakes Reserve.
Get involved? If you are interested in getting involved in looking after this magical place the British Trust for Ornithology would love to hear from you. Call them on 01842 750050 and ask for Chris Gregory or Bonita Johnston or email
[email protected].
Submit a wildlife sighting - Your wildlife records are important to us and we would love to know what wildlife you see when visiting this site. To submit a wildlife record for this site
click here.
Website - The Nunnery Lakes