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| The old wind-pump at Wicken Fen |
Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire is one of Britain's oldest nature reserves. It has been many years since I was last there, so when I saw a day course in moths was to be held there this July I booked myself on. I have become very interested in moths over the last couple of years and regularly run a moth trap in my garden.
I decided I would take my camper and stay nearby the night before to make a weekend of it. In fact I stayed the night after as well and had a good wander around the reserve the following day looking at all sorts of wildlife.
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| My Bongo on the Trelander Camping and Caravanning site, near Isleham |
I arrived on site in time for a late lunch, followed by a good walk along the river bank. Someone was having a party with a live band in their garden, so that was fun. Shame I wasn't invited but they were pretty good! The camp site was pretty peaceful though, just someone in a big tent and a German family staying in one of the chalets.
After a good night's sleep, except for a bit of early morning rain, I headed off to Wicken for the start of the course. It was all very interesting and I saw lots of new moths including several of the specialities of the reserve.
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| Chevron |
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| Beautiful China-mark |
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| Reed Leopard |
Afterwards I headed back to the camp site and booked myself in for another night. It was a lovely evening but a bit breezy so I packed the awning away so it wouldn't flap in the night.
Next day, back at Wicken Fen, I spent the morning walking round the Nature Trail, about 2 1/2 miles in total, taking lots of photos of plants and insects.
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| Common Bladderwort, an insectivorous plant |
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| Red Admiral butterfly |
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| Roesel's Bush-cricket |
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| Short-winged Cone-head, another type of cricket |
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| Small China-mark, a day-flying moth |
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| Some of the ponies used to graze the vegetation on the reserve. |
After a late lunch in the cafe I headed for home. I had a thoroughly enjoyable weekend. I am now looking forward to my next expedition in the Bongo which will be a little further afield - 2 weeks in Pembrokeshire coming up soon!
