Burwell Fen is the first part of the National Trust's ambitious and far-reaching plan to return a substantial area of fenland back to something like it's original glory. This was once all wheat fields and potato fields; now it's being allowed to flood and revert to fen - no good for potatoes and wheat but excellent for the wildlife.
It's being kept in shape by these hardy creatures, Konik ponies from Poland, that roam semi-wild over a large area.
They are ably assisted by these wild-looking beasties, Scottish Highland cattle. Both the ponies and the cattle find food out here all year round and seem to get along amicably enough.
Some smaller beings were also finding a meal, like this Meadow Brown butterfly on a Teasel head.
Or this stunning Peacock butterfly. We're so used to seeing these that we don't always stop to admire their beauty. There are times when having a camera with you makes you see more than you otherwise might.
Flowers of Greater Bindweed are similarly under appreciated - and you certainly wouldn't want any choking the plants in your garden. I always knew it as Bell Vine till I looked it up in books. Those who like collecting silly folk-names for plants will be delighted to learn that it's also called Granny-Pop-Out-Of-Bed.
A Common Tern has found a pretty perch. It's amazing where they can settle with their tiny webbed feet.
And here's a Roe Deer watching us thoughtfully as he takes a break in his grazing. They seem to be the commonest deer in this area of Cambridgeshire, taking over from the Muntjacs and Fallow Deer that are found in my part of the county.
And we'll leave it with a look back over Burwell Fen.
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But before I go here's a couple of pictures taken nearer to home:
Here's my local church taken from an unusual angle. This is the "back" of the church, its north-facing side, so it's only illuminated by the sun at either early morning or late evening during the height of summer. This was one evening near to Midsummer's Day.
And finally a portrait of the little Muntjac that regularly visits the grassy area just in front of my house, but rarely poses for photographs.
Take care.
Those fens are a place I've never seen. They sound really unique.
ReplyDeleteOooh. Ahhh.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you.
It is good to hear that some of the Fens are being allowed to regenerate. Lovely photos as always. I agree about seeing more when one has a camera.
ReplyDeleteAs usual loved your photos, your comments and your information....
ReplyDeleteWow - such beauty!
ReplyDeleteAs a young child I wished to take an armful of Greater Bindweed home to my Grandma, until the village Bobby stopped me!
ReplyDeleteTo a naturalist anywhere the restoration of these fenlands is a cause for rejoicing. The addition of the ponies and the highland cattle would add extra appeal too.
ReplyDeleteHi John - so pleased to see Burwell Fen being left to its own devices and returning to nature and wildlife ... great to see the Konik ponies and Highland cattle together, while your peacock butterfly photo is great. Wonderful name for Bindweed - I'll look at it differently now! They do have beautiful flowers but are horrible to have in the garden. The little Mountjack is quite delightful ... all the best - Hilary
ReplyDeleteGosh it's hard to imagine Burwell Fen as agricultural land John, looks like it has been like this always. How wonderful for all the present day occupants to have this area back, wonder where the birds were that day ✨
ReplyDeleteAwesome photos. I love seeing the wildlife in their natural habitat. I enjoy seeing land being given back to them. Thank you for bringing me along today. You have a wonderful day, hugs, Edna B.
ReplyDeleteI’ve never seen a Muntjac before. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed that walk in the den!
I reckon you did quite well for wildlife and the interesting photo's. Great to hear about the restoration too!
ReplyDeleteLove the Muntjac Deer and Granny-pop-out-of-bed!!
Nature is taking back what was once its own. Lovely to see.
ReplyDeleteIt's so beautiful there in Burwell Fen. Love these photos. What a wonderful walk.
ReplyDeleteLove the butterflies! What a wonderful place for a walk.
ReplyDeleteWow, what beautiful photos. I never seen a Muntjac before either so I thank you for showing one. The portrait is outstanding.
ReplyDeleteThe munjac is so different in close up to how I imagined, having only seen them from a distance.
ReplyDeleteIs it very boggy walking around Burwell Fen? or are there some dry pathways to walk across.
Lovely selection of images.
Not boggy at all, nor even muddy at this time of year. Even though the land is now more watery, the floodbanks are still in place and make for dry walking around the perimeter of the fen.
DeleteBeautiful photos of your walk and those closer to home too. The Konik ponies featured on a television programme we watched recently about a year on the fens:)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! You seem to have such nice places to go on walks. I've seen a muntjac once (we call them barking deer here), but never that close.
ReplyDeleteBarking Deer is an excellent name for them, the noise they make is something between a bark and a bad cough. Our Muntjac were imported from China and have established themselves in the wild here, though they don't usually come as close to houses as the one photographed here. I presume yours are the same as the Indian Muntjac, a slightly different species.
DeleteThe muntjac is quite unusual to me.
ReplyDeleteSo good to hear they are allowing the land to revert to its natural state. Beautiful butterfly captures!
ReplyDeleteThe Konik ponies are a very practical colour - mud grey :) The Peacock butterfly looks like a modern painting. The lighting in the church photo is really nice: the gate is lit up inviting a visitor to go in, and visit the equally welcoming church. The Muntjac is funny looking in sweet sort of way.
ReplyDeleteThis would definitely be a place I would want to visit often...
ReplyDeleteBurwell Fen brought back ancient memories John. I presume it is the same Burwell but if it isn't then I am sure you will enlighten me. As a young girl I came to Burwell Manor to tea (I was on holiday with my friend and her father worked for Laurie Wallace the Bookmaker, who lived there at the time) I remember being rather in awe of the whole thing and of taking two fresh cream cakes (made me feel sick) I also remember a huge Mulberry Tree in their garden. It would have been around 1944.
ReplyDeleteYes, that's the same Burwell.
DeleteGreat shot of the Muntjac John.
ReplyDeleteSo many animals on your walk. The peacock butterfly is just gorgeous. We don’t have those over here.
ReplyDeleteThe ponies and the cattle definitely looked like they were having a face-off and glad to read they all get along well.
ReplyDeleteAnother lovely walk :) I really must visit some of the Fens in the UK!
ReplyDeleteThose fens must be such an interesting habitat.
ReplyDelete