The Fens is one of England’s most unique landscapes, an area of wetlands mostly found in Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire. The ancient peaty land is home to some of our most fertile land, which is why most of England’s organic food is grown here.
Covering around 600 square miles, The Fens is home to not just wetlands, but also rivers and drainage systems, in a low-lying region that offers a unique ecological habitat for birds and native wildlife.
Formed during the Ice Age (when glacial meltwaters creating extensive marshes), over centuries the clay land that holds water well, has created unique ecosystems. It not only supports migrating birds, otters and amphibians, but also many wading birds and rare plants.
Years ago, many people would grow barley and wheat here, and cattle and sheep would graze on lush grasses. The fertile soil and abundant water supply led to The Fens being a vital agricultural hub. In the 17th century, much of the land was drained to create arable land, but this began to disturb the agricultural balance.
The best way to protect The Fens is to support local organic farmers that don’t use pesticides. Also choose peat-free compost (keep fresh compost away from pets as it contains mould – read more on how to make your garden safe for pets.
A Year Surrounded by Marshy Wildness
On the Marsh is a lovely book by Simon Barnes (who used to be a peaceful troublemaker writing for national newspapers). On hearing a Cetti’s warbler sing in Norfolk as he looked at a house for sale, he decided to move there with his family, as he feared that marshy land nearby would end up being lost to developers or intensive farming.
As he and his wife rewilded the area, this had beneficial effects for their son, who has Down Syndrome. A place of calm and inspiration for all.
The book follows triumphs (two harrier families arrive to use the marsh as hunting ground). And disappointments (chemical run-off from neighbouring farmland creates a nettle monoculture).
This book is set in Norfolk, which is home to the Broads, manmade wetlands (created hundreds of years ago, by filling old peat pits with water). These (also in Suffolk) are now home to around 25% of England’s rarest wildlife, sitting alongside pretty windmills and ancient monasteries.
The Broads have over 200km of waterways now form England’s largest protected wetland, and the third largest inland waterway. Also home to rare plants like milk parsley, you’ll also spot rare birds (cranes, bitterns, marsh harriers), Norfolk hawker dragonflies, swallowtail butterflies and the fen raft spider.
