Lound Lakes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lound Lakes |
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| Type | Nature reserve |
| Location | Browston Green, Norfolk Lound, Suffolk |
| OS grid | TG511005 |
| Area | 113 hectares |
| Managed by | Suffolk Wildlife Trust |
Lound Lakes is a special nature reserve with several reservoirs. It covers about 113 hectares (that's like 280 football fields!). You can find it right on the border between two English counties: Norfolk and Suffolk.
This beautiful area is about 2 miles (3.2 km) southwest of Gorleston-on-Sea. It's also about 5 miles (8 km) northwest of Lowestoft. The lakes are owned by Essex and Suffolk Water. They are looked after by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, which helps protect nature.
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What are Lound Lakes?
Lound Lakes is a series of connected lakes and reservoirs. They are an important part of the local water system. The lakes flow into Fritton Decoy and then into the River Waveney. This river eventually reaches the sea.
How the Lakes Were Formed
The lakes at Lound were not always there. They were created a long time ago, in the Middle Ages. People dug up peat from the ground, which is a type of soil made from old plants. When the peat was removed, the holes filled with water, forming the lakes we see today.
The water that flows into the lakes comes from a large area of about 20 square kilometers (7.7 square miles). Much of this land is used for farming. Sometimes, chemicals from farms, like nitrates, can wash into the lakes. This can make it harder to keep the water clean for drinking and for the animals that live there.
Amazing Animals and Plants
Lound Lakes is home to many different types of natural places. You can find open water, thick woodlands, grassy areas, and wet meadows. These different habitats mean lots of different plants and animals can live here.
Birds of Lound Lakes
Over 140 different kinds of birds have been seen at Lound Lakes! Some of the cool birds you might spot include hobbies, which are fast-flying birds of prey. You might also see different kinds of geese and ducks swimming on the water. Smaller birds like reed warblers hide in the reeds. Other birds like gadwalls and oystercatchers also make their home here.
Other Wildlife
It's not just birds that love Lound Lakes. You might also find different types of bats flying around at dusk. Two kinds of bats that live here are the brown long-eared bat and the noctule bat. These bats help keep insect populations in check.
Visiting Lound Lakes
Lound Lakes is a great place to visit and explore nature. You can get to the reserve from different points. Some common access points are from Hall Road and Hobland Road. It's a wonderful spot to enjoy the outdoors and see local wildlife.
