Great Fen

@greatfen

The Great Fen project is one of the most exciting habitat restoration projects ever undertaken in Britain. It will create a 3,700 hectare wetland. www.greatfen.org.uk

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Great Fen@greatfen· 15d

Our summer nature trail is all about #MagicalMoths! From tomorrow, we’ll be hiding photos of our favourite Fen species around the Ramsey Heights nature reserve. Grab a free tick sheet from the info hut and go exploring! We’d love to know which real moths you see too! @wildlifebcn.org

A4 moth hunt worksheet laid on a desk top with laminated moth photos laid on top. Photos of a garden tiger moth and elephant hawk moth are seen.

Great Fen@greatfen· 15d

#MothWeek may be over but just for fun one of our team has been playing with some new species ideas! Can you guess which animals have contributed their DNA? Head-start for anyone with a @wildlifebcn magazine as the collages are made from the latest issue. :)

A collaged moth made up of various animal parts overlaid on a photo of a rainbow over a fenland lake

A collaged moth made up of various animal parts overlaid on a photo of lush green nature reserve path

A collaged moth made up of various animal parts overlaid on a photo of a fenland lake

Great Fen@greatfen· 15d

It's a busy month ahead! Learn about local wildlife, how you can help and what a career in conservation might look like. Remember reserves are always open for you own explorations too @wildlifebcn.org #summerholidays #freeactivitiesforkids #wildlifeworkshop #naturelovers #summerevents #familyevent

Image of ragwort flowers overlaid with text boxes. Upcoming Adult Events August. Owl Pellet Dissection. Volunteer Open Day. International Bat Night Guided Walk

Image of ragwort flowers overlaid with text boxes. Upcoming Youth Events August. Wild in the Woods Day Camp age 7+. Creatures of the Night. Youth Rangers of the Fens. Conservation Experience Day age 16-25. Introduction to Invertebrates Workshop 13+.

Image of ragwort flowers overlaid with text boxes. Book Online August. Orange circle with QR code

Great Fen@greatfen· 18d

Our monitoring trainees, Maisy and Daniel, on #waterquality adventures this week. Regularly assessing the oxygen and pH levels (amongst other factors) enables us to quickly respond to any negative changes that could affect the wildlife. Fortunately, all was good this time around. @wildlifebcn.org

Daniel stands on the bank of a reed-lined water way, smiling to camera. He is holding a small device in one hand, connected by wire to equipment in a grey case on the ground. It is a sunny day with blue sky.

Daisy kneels on a wooden bridge over a reed-lined pond. Next to her is a grey case with monitoring equipment.

Daisy climbs up a reed-lined embankment along a waterway holding a long-poled and a hand-held piece of monitoring equipment.

Great Fen@greatfen· 24d

Come and meet us at The Peterborough Museum’s Big Green Day! Turn left at the stairs, right down a corridor, left into the Victorian Kitchen. It’s now packed with activities for all ages, and it’s all free! #peterborough #activitiesforkids #familyevent #freeevent #birdfeeder #wildlifegarden

Great Fen@greatfen· 27d

Henry's Highlights are on the website! The hot weather has brought the insects out, day and night. Badger cubs are exploring, plant life is blossoming thanks to restoration work, and flocks of newly-fledged birds are on the move. Read all about his sightings blog www.greatfen.org.uk/blog/henry-s...

Close-up of an Emperor dragonfly clasping a reed leaf with dark brown legs, with a small brown beetle in their jaws. The dragonfly is shiny green and yellow, in focus against a blurry background of green leaves.

Great Fen@greatfen· 29d

Our latest eNews went out last week. Did you get a copy? In this update, we talk about the #paludiculture #tinyhouse, new #wetlands, wildlife sightings, wildlife-friendly gardens, #WorkExperience, new events and more! Read it online at tinyurl.com/mwvepuvd #Groundswell2026 #conservationtraining

Great Fen@greatfen· Jul 10

For anyone who would find it useful, here's an #audiodescribed version of this Wild in the Woods reel. Do let us know if we can improve this is any way. Thank you!

Great Fen@greatfen· Jul 10

It's nearly the school holidays! That means it's almost time to go Wild in the Woods! Our day camps are back so send your wild things to us on August 5th and 26th for a fantastic day in the Fen. Book online at wildlifebcn.org/school-holidays @wildlifebcn.org

Great Fen@greatfen· Jul 10

It's the #BigGreenDay at Peterborough Museum on Saturday 18th July. Only a week away! Join us there to discover what you can do to help wildlife at home and what we're doing to help wildlife and tackle climate change in the Fens! @wildlifebcn.org #SchoolHolidayFun #childrenscrafts #naturelovers

The Big Green Day poster. A cartoon/claymation-type hand holds a 3D globe designed to look like a lightbulb. Speechbubble says Free, just drop in. Text reads Peterborough Museum & Art Gallery. Celebrate green living in Peterborough, Sat 18 July, 10am-4pm.
Discover how local organisations are helping to tackle climate change
• Join our Big Green LEGO® Party and take on the Green City Challenge
• Meet local groups including PECT, Landyke Trust and Peterborough City Council’s Recycling Team
Peterboroughmuseum.org.uk under a purple outline of the museum building

Great Fen@greatfen· Jul 8

Jake says, "I am thrilled to be part of the team at Ramsey Heights. In my spare time I love birdwatching, bird ringing, supporting wildlife craft events and Youth Ranger sessions." We hope they both love working here and that you'll say hello if you see them out in the Fen!

Jake is lying on his stomach on grass looking to camera. We see his head and shoulders. He is with a small white dog.

Great Fen@greatfen· Jul 8

Aimee says, "I am passionate about freshwater environments and their restoration, and graduated with a Geography degree last year. I'm really looking forward to meeting people from different teams, and getting to learn about and contribute to different aspects of the BCN Wildlife Trust's work!"

Aimee stands smiling in a river, water reaching halfway up her wellies. She holds a long-handled net in both hands. We can see the river bank on the far side with grass and trees.

Great Fen@greatfen· Jul 8

Please welcome our new Peatland Progress trainees! Aimee and Jake have joined us on a six month paid programme to gain vital skills and experience in the conservation sector. Today, they've headed out with their first school group visit to share their love of nature. @wildlifebcn.org

Aimee and Jake stand inside a wooden domes structure outside in a nature reserve. They smile to camera and lean on a half-height wall panel made of woven hazel and willow. Aimee wears a grey Wildlife Trust tshirt and Jake's is black. Jake also has sunglasses and a cream panama hat.

Great Fen@greatfen· Jul 3

We were delighted to welcome the new High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire, Mr Francis Burkitt DL, on a tour of a gloriously sunny Great Fen. It was a pleasure to show him around and to have his support for our work. Read his statement at tinyurl.com/dye6dtpz @wildlifebcn.org Image credit: High Sheriff

A dozen adults, mostly dressed in cool blues and khakis, sun hats and sunglasses, stand in front of a wooden thatched bungalow raised on concrete stilts. They're in a sunny nature reserve

The High Sheriff, wearing traditional uniform of black long-tail jacket, frilled white shirt and black peaked hat, points to the top of the Holme Post, a tall green metal pole. Henry, wearing khaki shirt and trousers, also points. They are in front of bracken and trees.

Great Fen@greatfen· Jul 1

It’s day one of Groundswell Agriculture festival! The team are there with the Mobile Inspiration Hub, our tiny house made of #paludiculture materials. We’re also sharing a stall with Lancashire WT, so come and say hi to us all! Stand E3. @wildlifebcn.org #peatlandprogress #regenerativeagriculture

Alison and Helen stand beside a giant sign reading Groundswell. The letters stand shoulder-height on grass. In the background are many white pointed tents for trade stands at the event. The sky is blue and sunny. They wear sunglasses and T-shirts.

The wooden tiny house stands in a field in front of many white pointed tents, a Land Rover parked to the right. An inflatable sign two stories high for DSV to the left.

Great Fen@greatfen· Jul 1

We’ve had two places become available for Friday’s glow-worm guided walk. Please email Danielle.page@wildlifebcn.org with your preferred contact number. Danielle will call to take payment. www.wildlifebcn.org/events/2026-... @wildlifebcn.org Image: Thomas John Ellis

a female glow-worm glowing in the dark, climbing a grass stem.

Great Fen@greatfen· Jun 26

If you're walking, cycling, skateboarding, roller-skating, or skipping your way down to our exciting multi-media exhibition Echoes of Change on Sunday, admission is just a suggested donation of £2pp. Explore the changing landscapes, histories and folklore of the Fens through art, drama and music.

A man freewheeling side saddle on a bike and a woman riding a bike, through a field on a sunny day, wearing summery clothes. Speech bubble calls out 'Hurry up darling, Echoes of Change is starting soon and we don't want to miss it!'

Great Fen@greatfen· Jun 24

Some of the FABULOUS people taking part in Echoes of Change this Sunday! Organiser and documentary photography Fraser McGruer, The Ouse Washes Molly Dancers, Pete the Cloutie Tree and Forty Foot Bridge. 🤩 #multimediaart #liveperformance #photographyexhibition #folklore #fenlandhistory #livemusic

Fraser films dancers on a camera on a handheld mount

Person in a tree costume, branches tied with wish ribbons, flanked by molly dancers

People in long coats, hats and masks against a blue ground and orange sky

Great Fen@greatfen· Jun 24

🎉Art school STORE is back with another incredible free summer school for 14-18 year olds in the Great Fen! 📆Furnishing the Fens, 28th-31st July. 🌱Join designer and material scientist Georgemma Hunt, and designer-builders, Flimsy, to make furniture from wetland plants! @wildlifebcn.org ...

Great Fen@greatfen· Jun 22

The most incredible event is coming up this weekend. It's short notice but you don't want to miss it! If you love the Fens, dancing, music, art, drama, wood carving, myths, folk tales, story telling, photography...it's all here! And only £10 per car, so fill the seats & come along! @wildlifebcn.org

Great Fen@greatfen· Jun 16

Have you been caterpillar spotting for #30dayswild? Have you seen any of these? #caterpillar #butterflies #moths #wildaboutgardens #magicalMoths

Great Fen@greatfen· Jun 10

🦏Did you know we have rhinos in the Great Fen?! Jenny and her daughter were exploring at Ramsey Heights and discovered this incredible rhinoceros beetle! What a fabulous find for their #30DaysWild. @wildlifebcn.org 📷 Jenny Shelton #lucanidae #coleoptera #wildlifesafari

A large blue-black beetle with a horn on a piece of deadwood

Great Fen@greatfen· Jun 9

Team meeting at the Nene Wetlands Visitors Centre today. It’s going to be impossible to leave without buying something from this amazing shop! @wildlifebcn.org #rushdenlakes #nenewetlands #ecofriendly #wildlifegardening #naturelovers

Great Fen@greatfen· Jun 8

You’ve heard of being snowed in, but have you ever been ‘wildflowered in’? 😂 We’ll be hurdling the mullein to get out of the office soon. @wildlifebcn.org #wildflowers #30dayswild

Great Fen@greatfen· Jun 8

New Free Webinar! The Fens East Peat Partnership is hosting another fascinating talk. On 22nd June, hear all about 'Spatio-temporal variability in flora, peat and land use in the Great Fen.' www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/spatio-tem... @wildlifebcn.org #FreeWebinar #paleoecology #peatlands #Biodiversity

Great Fen@greatfen· Jun 5

We are so incredibly lucky to have such wonderful volunteers in the Great Fen! Reserve maintenance, habitat management, event assistance, wildlife monitoring...thousands of hours donated every year. We couldn't do so much without you. You are so valued and appreciated. THANK YOU! #VolunteersWeek

Great Fen@greatfen· Jun 5

What a treat to discover this peatland education exhibition at St Pancras International! Have you visited The Composer’s Cabin? Discover the power of Peatlands, Plants and Pianos. And check out those mini bogs in boxes 🥰👏 📣 “Go #peatfree!”

Great Fen@greatfen· Jun 3

What a glorious day for our young conservationists to train with @wildlifebcn.org Chief Executive @brianecambs.bsky.social! They joined us for an Intro to Ecology in the half-term holiday, spending the day learning all about habitat and wildlife diversity #ecology #biodiversity #wildlifephotography

Great Fen@greatfen· Jun 2

This #WorldPeatlandsDay we’re celebrating the modern technology being used to save ancient peatlands. 👏👏 Soft, wet peat across vast landscapes makes for challenging restoration, but we’ve begun working with AutoSpray Systems to test the use of drones for seeding in #paludiculture. @wildlifebcn.org

Great Fen@greatfen· May 22

Catherine Weightman has been balancing her time between working for the wildlife at home and the wildlife in the Great Fen. Read her new blog and be inspired by her award-winning wildlife garden! @wildlifebcn.org www.greatfen.org.uk/blog/guest-p... #wildlifegarden #volunteering