DAY OUT: Woodwalton Fen National Nature Reserve, Cambridgeshire
Ancient fenland paradise
A remarkable remnant of 19th-century fenland, this watery site delights the senses, says James Gilbert
One of only four surviving fragments of east-English fenland that once extended over 344,000 hectares, Woodwalton Fen has been a wildlife refuge since it was purchased in 1910 by banker-cum-entomologist Charles Rothschild.
The reserve, established in 1919, is one of the UK’s oldest and statutory protection was afforded in 1954. The site is home to over 5,000 species, some of which are endangered and many are rare or scarce.
Spring season highlights – to name just a few – include violets (both fen and water), early marsh-orchids, damselflies, cuckoos and assorted warblers. Step softly along the ditch margins and ‘Ratty’ may be spotted, or at least heard; listen for the ‘plop’ of a water vole, dropping down into the water.
Moving forward to summer, and spectacular creatures on the wing in the reserve include scarce chaser dragonflies and magnificent marsh harriers. The endangered metallic-green tansy beetle lives here; it is perhaps most likely seen in June, feeding on the tops of bankside tansy plants.
James Gilbert is a naturalist and writer based in Northamptonshire.