Colourful
world of Damsel and Dragonflies |
Wicken Fen is not a natural habitat. For centuries the Fen has been under the
influence of a human population. The fen is home to the stunning Emperor dragonfly,
the largest of a species that has been around for 300m years… much longer
than humans. | | Windmill on Wicken Fen |
Wicken Fen is a rich wildlife habitat. More than 200 species of birds
can be seen here together with 25 different mammals, 19 species of Dragonfly and
1,000 types of moth. The 1,500 acre site is a tiny remnant of the watery
wilderness that once characterised the whole of East Anglia. Its habitat
has been managed by man for centuries, but today the emphasis is very much on
conservation management.  Rich
mosaic
Irregularly harvested fen crops have created a mosaic of different
vegetation types. Wicken Sedge Fen is one of the few remaining fen areas
never to have been drained. The South part of the Reserve (Adventurer's
Fen) has been drained in the past, and is now some 2m lower than the northern
part, the Sedge Fen. This area is managed differently to the Sedge Fen,
with most of the area grazed by cattle or sheep, or left for hay. The cutting
of vegetation continues throughout the year on Wicken Sedge Fen. Depending
on the area and the vegetation type, these seasonal cuts are carried out on anything
from a one year to a seven year rotation. Sedge, particularly Saw Sedge
(Cladium mariscus), is harvested in summer. It is still used for thatching. In
the past it would have covered the entire roof, nowadays it is used only along
the ridge. Other uses for sedge included use as a floor covering and to
light fires.  Reedbeds
Common Reed (Phragmites communis) is another valuable crop from Wicken.
The harvesting of reed has only been carried out since 1960. It is also
used as a thatching material and is used on the sides (pitch) of the roof. The
reedbeds are at the far west part of Adventurer's Fen. Litter, is cut each
year in all seasons except winter. It is made up of a wide variety of grasses
and herbs and was traditionally used for bedding and fodder for cattle. Most
modern cattle will not to eat such rough hay, and so much litter is piled up in
heaps to rot.
Some local farmers still buy litter, and in 1996 several
bales were bought by a nearby nature reserve to provide a seed source for a newly
planted area.  Dragonflies
We
can all enjoy the colourful world of Damsel and Dragonflies at Wicken Fen. Wicken
Fen was the first nature reserve to be bought by the National Trust back in 1899. Today
it boasts more than a dozen different types of Dragonfly including the Emperor,
the Four-Spotted Chaser and several varieties of Damselfly. Amongst Wicken
Fen's many other watery residents is the Great Crested Newt, the largest to be
found in Britain. Over the next few years, there are plans to extend the
fen to cover 17 miles stretching down towards Cambridge.  Pony
power
Wicken Fen is also a good place to see the Konik Pony, one of the
closest relatives to the primal ponies that once roamed across Europe. The
Konik horse is a direct descendant of the now extinct European horse, the Tarpan. These
animals are wetland specialists with a hardy, robust and placid character. They
are self-reliant, with a quiet temperament, and are characterised by a large head,
broad body and strong legs. The ponies are proving to be a great boost for
the ecology of the area. Koniks help to keep the land open and give plants,
birds and insects the chance to settle in an area. They love to graze on
weeds, reeds and grass, so helping to stimulate wildlife diversity in their fenland
habitat. Remember that these ponies are wild and can be very curious and
unpredictable. They are best seen from a distance with binoculars. | 
