News from Wicken Fen
Development of the Wicken Fen Spine Route is progressing well with planning permission currently being sought for a bridge across Reach Lode which will link Burwell and Tubney Fen's. This will complete the crucial missing link in the Spine Route, which will eventually link Cambridge and neighbouring villages to Wicken Fen. Consultations are also on-going with users, local communities and statutory authorities to examine options for a new crossing over Burwell Lode. Thankfully the spine jangling ride along White Fen Droveway is now a thing of the past thanks to our partners, Cambridge County Council who have resurfaced the Drove.
Since joining the Wicken team in May, Community Warden, Emma Shepherd has been busy working on the development of our new Dragonfly Centre and introducing standup paddleboarding to Wicken Fen, which is proving a big hit with our visitors. Emma is now planning to carry out an informal survey of horse riders throughout the Vision area to learn more about where they currently ride and how the Trust could work with them to enhance access. Emma will be visiting local stables and riding schools and would like to speak to as many riders as possible over the next few weeks. If you would like to speak or meet with Emma, she can be contacted at the Visitor Centre on 01353 720274 or e-mail emma.shepherd@nationaltrust.org.uk
Our team of Wardens and volunteers will be busy out on the wider Vision lands in the coming months. Oily Hall is to be fenced and we are now looking for local graziers interested in grazing the site, please contact Michelle Boliver on 01284 747523 e-mail michelle.boliver@nationaltrust.org.uk if you are interested. Since being acquired by the Trust in 2007, Oily Hall has been reverted from set aside and is now being entered into Higher Level Stewardship as a conservation grassland and provides a perfect example of land being brought back into agricultural production whilst at the same time providing a high quality habitat for wildlife. The Trust is also working with the Fenland Bridleway Association and the Internal Drainage Board to create a permissive horse riding route on the site.
A range of native broadleaved bushes, such as willow, hawthorn and field maple are to be planted on White Fen during the winter. This will eventually lead to creation of a mosaic of low level woodland and open grassland habitats. Volunteers to help with the planting would be greatly appreciated and further details will be published in the coming months.
The weather could have been better but it's been a great summer on the Fen with visitor numbers considerably higher than in previous years. Wildlife highlights include Avocets breeding on the reserve for the first time, together with Stonechats, Bearded Tit's and three pairs of Marsh Harriers all breeding on the fen. The arrival of a Squacco Heron and Collared Pratincole from warmer Southern climes created great excitement amongst 'twitchers'.
Our programme of summer Wild Child events continues until the schools return in early September. Why not start your adventure on the fen by collecting a Wild Child Trail from the Visitor Centre. We have pond dipping on Tuesdays, Paddleboarding on Wednesdays and Boat Trips along beautiful Wicken Lode every on Thursday. Why not enjoy a Fenman's Day (5 Sept) with local eel catcher and working fenman, Peter Carter, see how to set eel traps and experience some harmless wildfowling including a rare chance to witness a punt gun in action. Learn how to make rush mats and baskets on a Rush Weaving Workshop (19 Sept) or enjoy an Autumn Guided Walk (20 Sept) with our Wardens. Please contact the Visitor Centre on 01353 720274 for information and bookings.
Hope to see you at the fen soon