All 5 cygnets are back on the lake. Thank you RSPCA for looking after them and driving them back from Kings Lynn. The two returned birds are settling in though the other youngsters are being a little aggressive with wings raised at times. Hopefully they will all settle down. Nice high visibility jackets!

The Autumn season has started a little early with many leaves already changing colour and falling. This might be due to dry conditions and this usually means more autumn colour. On the Lake this year's cygnets are learning to fly. Mum and dad lead the family on a flight over the lake before landing safely. Once the young can fly, mum and dad will then try to chase them off the lake to find their own territories. Expect quite a lot of activity over the coming weeks. Keep a look out for Kingfisher - seen flying low over the Lake most days - and the return of wintering Blackheaded Gulls squabbling for scraps..

As you probably know, the Countryside Team have been unable to run the usual summer activities this year due to staff cutbacks. We have however met with Kinetic Science - a Bury St Edmunds based charitable organisation with a view to running future events on site. We have arranged for them to run their popular air fired rockets activity on TUESDAY 29th AUGUST between 11am and 3pm on site. Costs will be £3.00 per rocket. If you are looking for a fun activity to round off the holidays then why not come along. If successful then we would look to extend the range and number of activities run by them next year. www.kineticscience.co.uk

Kinetic Science will be running their popular Air Fired Rockets activity at Needham Lake. Suitable for ages 4+ come along and build your own rocket and launch it. Launch times will be 12.30pm and 2.30pm so give yourself enough time to build yours before countdown begins. COSTS £3.00 per rocket - includes all materials needed. Meet in Mill Meadow

Unfortunately this year we will not be able to run a regular programme of summer events at Needham Lake. If we have a few good days of weather forecast and staff are available we will try to plan a few bug hunts which will be advertised on this page and on site. If there is anyone out there who would like to run activities at the Lake then do get in touch

Not a Needham Lake event but if you want a great evening out then come along to see The Pantaloons performance of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' at Eye Castle on THURSDAY 6 July. Starts at 7pm. Box Office 01449 676800 or via www.thepantaloons.co.uk. Bring a picnic (no bbqs), something to sit on and enjoy a brilliantly funny show.

Now is a good time for spotting members of the pea family at the Lake. Some such as the Red and White Clovers are familiar but check out the longer grassy areas for many others.

With the main summer flowering season underway this is the first post about some of the easier flowers to spot at the Lake. Cranesbills are common but often overlooked as their flowers can be small and hidden amongst the grasses. They get their names from the seed pods - which are long and pointed like a heron's (crane's) bill. At the side of the surfaced path look out for the large blue flowers of Meadow Cranesbill under the trees and in the grassy areas. In the larger meadows you can find Hedgerow Cranesbill and Herb Robert amongst the taller grasses . On the short mown picnic sites you can find the tiny dark pink flowers of Cut-leaved Cranesbill.

The annual raft race is taking place on Sunday 4th June with races starting around 2pm. Always great fun and it's FREE to watch. There will be parking restrictions (both surfaced car parks closed and additional parking on the car boot field) and a small parking charge helps support the event.