The district’s dramatic part fen and part upland landscape is a delight for nature lovers and perfectly catered towards people who enjoy being in the great outdoors.
Wildfowl and flora are among East Cambs’ internationally important environmental assets. Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) include Devil’s Dyke, Wicken Fen, and the Hundred Foot Washes as well as a sprinkling of nature reserves and wildlife sites protecting our local biodiversity.
Waterway wildlife
East Cambs’ western limits are defined by waterways: the Bedford levels, the River Ouse and the River Cam, home to a variety of wildlife such as dragonflies, birds and wild flowers as well as endangered species like the water vole and the bittern, one of the rarest breeding birds in the UK.
Breeding bitterns are extremely elusive, but in the spring, you may hear the distinctive ‘booming’ calls given by males at Ely Pits and Meadows SSSI. This nationally important site is also designated for its Jurassic marine reptile fossils in the Kimmeridge Clay, a Jurassic rock famous for its fossils. A section of the SSSI includes Roswell Pits Nature Reserve – an eight-hectare nature reserve and part of Ely Country Park.
Chippenham Fen National Nature Reserve
Towards the south east of the district, you’ll discover Chippenham Fen National Nature Reserve, one of the best remaining areas of undrained, semi-natural fen in Europe. There is a public footpath running directly through the reserve giving good views across the Chippenham Fen and Snailwell Poor’s Fen SSSI. Dragonflies are everywhere here in summer, serotine bats fly over the fen to feed, and on warm evenings, glow worms are found along the paths.
Wicken Fen
West of Chippenham is Wicken Fen, one of Europe’s most important wetlands, owned by the National Trust. A wonderful wildlife haven with over 9000 recorded species, the conservation area includes a raised boardwalk over the wetland habitat where you might see exceptional species like hen harriers and rare orchids.
Isleham Local Nature Reserve
Local Nature Reserves are just as important in supporting our resident wildlife, and for people for people to enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of being in nature. Isleham Local Nature Reserve is a living green space where you can study and learn about wildlife. A disused railway line, closed in the 60’s, it’s free of charge and open to the public. In spring/summer you’ll find wildflowers such as St John’s wort, wild marjoram, salad burnet and bladder campion along with many butterflies including the common blue, small heath, ringlets, commas, meadow browns and peacocks. In the latter part of the year, you’ll spot birds such as sky larks, yellow hammer and bullfinch.