Field Trip to Wicken Fen on 22 June 2014

Led by Howard Cox.

Common Darter, Sympetrum striolatum.
Wicken Fen, 22 June 2014.

A group of 22 met in Orpington for a mini-coach journey to Wicken Fen, managed by the National Trust. The weather was glorious, with sun most of the day. The temperature was in the middle twenties centigrade — great for dragonfly and butterfly watching, but a little hot.

Many members dispersed and followed their own interests exploring the reserve, e.g. some made their way to tower hide and saw Marsh Harriers hunting over the reeds, while several went with Howard beginning at the board walk. Here is Howard Cox's account of the day.

Early Marsh Orchid, Dactylorhiza incarnata.
Wicken Fen, 22 June 2014.

The Club chose a brilliant day to visit Wicken Fen. The weather conditions were perfect, particularly for insects.

The BDS (British Dragonfly Society) has worked closely with the National Trust, which owns the Reserve to stimulate interest in dragronfles, converting a small cottage into an information centre, displaying and explaining the life-history of dragonflies. Outside, they even have a waist-high pond with larvae, and a mouth-watering list of species on the wing in the reserve.

On arrival we were given an introductory talk on the history of the reserve with suggested trails and and times of the boat-cruises. Howard led a group of 8 on the nature trail.

Bladderwort, probably Utricularia vulgaris.
Wicken Fen, 22 June 2014.

What was particularly splendid were the 'windows' cut into the vegetation along the bank edging the ditch, with display boards illustrating each species likely to be seen at each point. They had details to aid identification. In many cases actual specimens could be spotted to-ing and fro-ing, even sitting on vegetation.

There were Four-spotted Chasers (Libellula quadrimaculata), Banded Demoiselles (Calopteryx splendens), Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum), Common Blue damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum), Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella), Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis), and one new to most of the group, the Hairy Dragonfly (Brachytron pratense), close enough to see the blue pear-shaped spots along the body. He is usually the first hawker of the year on the wing.

Hairy Dragonfly, Brachytron pratense.
Wicken Fen, 22 June 2014.

From the footpath Bob Francis drew our attention to what initially looked like a fawn grazing in the meadow not far from us. It later became clear that it was a Muntjac Deer.

After our picnic lunch in the shade, and finding the nature trail was still under water due to the winter flooding, we explored the Butterfly trail. Here we saw Meadow Brown, Ringlet,Small Copper, male Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell and several Large Skipper. Happily, Howard captured one of these in a tube and we were able to spot the characteristic 'hook' at the tip of each feeler.

Small Tortoiseshell, Aglais urticae.
Wicken Fen, 22 June 2014.

Grasses here were glorious and at their best, including Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and Meadow Fescue (F. pratense). The habitat was dominated by the Common Reed (Phragmites australis), but tucked away in the thick growth, sometimes 'sign-posted', were these special fen plants: Hemp Agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum), Water Chickweed (Myosoton aquaticum), Tufted Forget-me-not (Myosotis laxa), Marsh or Fen Bedstraw(Galium palustre group), Common Bladderwort (Utriculata vulgaris), Common Skullcap (Scutellaria jalericulata), Fen Nettle (Urtica dioica ssp jaleopsifolia) — usually non-stinging, as James, one of our group heroically illustrated. Especially exciting the rare Marsh Pea (Lathyrus palustris), which was a beautiful light purple.

Large Skipper, Ochlodes sylvanus.
Wicken Fen, 22 June 2014.

All appeared to thoroughly enjoy their day at Wicken Fen. A mix of nature observation, followed by well deserved tea and cake from the centre's café! The super weather no doubt contributing to the event.

Other member contributions including species of particular interest not already included in text: Bob Francis, Sylvia Chubbs, Rosemary Ferguson, Gary Cliffe, Marion Pettet, Margaret Willis & Graham Hemmington.

Invertebrates - Lacewing (Chrysopa perla)
Moth - Common White Wave (Cabera pusaria)
Hoverfly - Marmalade Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus)
Crane Fly - Spotted Crane Fly (Nephrotoma appendiculata)
Ladybird - 7-Spot (Coccinella septempunctata)
Spiders - Araniella cucurbitina, Pisaura mirabilis (nursery webs mostly empty, but a few still full of spiderlings)
Snails - Kentish Snail (Monacha contiana), Amber Snail (Succinea putris), White-Lipped Snail (Cepaea hortensis)
Mite - Eriophyoidea on Gall (Alnus glutinosum)
Beetle - Oedemera nobilis
Bug - Megamelus notule
Sawfly - Hartigia linearis
Plants - Water Stitchwort (Stellaria alsine), Marsh Fern, Marsh Thistle (Cirsium palustre), Common comfrey (Symphytum officinale), Black horehound (Ballota nigra), Early Marsh-orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata).
Birds - Swallows, blue tits, chaffinch, Greenfinch, collar dove, moorhen, green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, pheasant, wren, wood pigeon, reed warbler, reed bunting, cormorant, little egret, whitethroat, chiffchaff, cuckoo (heard), marsh harriers, heron, house sparrows, chiffchaff, swifts, blackbird.