News from Wicken Fen
Young visitors recently helped us re-instate the cottage garden of historic fen
cottage. The project was part of the Trust's Food Glorious Food initiative
to encourage children and their families to grow and eat their own fresh
produce. The children planted a range of salad and vegetables which will be
eventually be harvested and served in the Wicken Fen café.
The children were also given packets of seeds to grow at home. If anyone has a few hours to spare each week and would like to tend the garden please contact Isabel Sedgwick at the Visitor Centre on 01353 720274.
Summer has truly arrived on the fen with a fantastic display of wild flowers, particularly orchids to be seen on Sedge Fen. Senior Warden, James Selby and his team are keeping a close watch on the fen and placing informative notice boards out to help visitors identify and learn about the flowers The Wicken Bird Ringers are delighted to have rung a nuthatch, the first time a nuthatch has been rung in over 40 years of ringing on the fen.
Construction of the Reach Lode Bridge and cycleway across Burwell Fen is progressing in preparation for an autumn opening. We are planning a community picnic and BBQ at 2pm on Sunday 12 September to mark the official opening of the bridge. Please bring a picnic and join us for the celebrations.
We have a number of activities and events in the lead up to the summer holidays. Enjoy a close encounter with the magical dragonflies of Wicken Fen on a Dragonfly Safari on Sat/Sun 3, 4, 24 or 25 July at 11am and 2.30pm; discover Wicken's amazing flora and fauna on a Summer Wildflowers and Wildlife Walk, with the Trust's Conservation Advisor, Stuart Warrington on Sun 11 July at 2pm. For children we have Wild Art on Wed 28, drop in from 11am- 3pm (allow 2 hours) or Fairies, Pixies and Trolls on Friday 30 July at 10.30am and 2.30pm. For those feeling energetic why not join a three hour paddleboard safari on Fri 30 July starting at 9am and 2pm.Information and tickets on all events and activities are available from the Visitor Centre on 01353 720274.