For the last two weeks, I’ve been lucky enough to spend some time down south with the National Trust at a couple of their properties. As a visitor services trainee, it was really interesting to work with a different organisation and to see what these places had to offer visitors. Quite a lot of my time was spent at Anglesey Abbey where there is a lovely house with gardens and a working mill and I also spent a day at Wicken Fen.
Anglesey Abbey- James Stringer
As well as owning houses and gardens, the National Trust also has nature reserves. Wicken Fen is the organisations oldest nature reserve with the first small area of the reserve bought in 1899. It was great getting to explore and to see how it compares to our reserve here. Like Frampton Marsh, they graze the reserve to help keep the vegetation down but where we have sheep and regular cattle they have Konik ponies and Highland cattle. These species are very hardy and good when the ground is wet which they need to be as they stay out all year. In fact, we actually use Konik ponies for grazing at RSPB Minsmere.
Konik pony- David Tipling (rspb-images.com)
Wicken Fen supports an abundance of wildlife and many species found there can also be found here. Examples include marsh harriers, dragonflies, water creatures like whirligig beetles and newts, reed warblers, sedge warblers and reed buntings. Being one of the last remaining fragments of undrained fenland in this area, the sedge and reedbeds at Wicken are well established and widespread. This means species such as bitterns and bearded tits are found here which we’re hopeful will establish themselves at Frampton Marsh in the coming years as our reedbed spreads and matures. There are several hides to view wildlife and I got a great glimpse of a newly fledged blue tit on a bird feeder.
Wicken Fen- Charlotte Jones
While I was in the area I also had time to visit RSPB Lakenheath Fen one evening. It was such a lovely way to spend a couple of hours and I felt like I had the reserve to myself. There was greenery all around and I got a great glimpse of a marsh harrier soaring past. Much like Frampton Marsh, at Lakenheath Fen the RSPB has converted former arable land into wetland. Created almost 20 years ago, the reserve is home to a variety of species including bearded tits, bitterns, water rails, reed warblers and reed buntings. This is also probably the best place in the country to see golden orioles which breed here during the summer.
Lakenheath Fen- Charlotte Jones
There was also an opportunity for me to visit Ickworth house which is a National Trust property close to Bury St Edmunds. Walking around the estate I managed to spot a little owl sitting on a fence post. Having my trusty binoculars in my rucksack, I was able to get a close up view of these lovely birds.
Ickworth- Charlotte Jones
All in all it was a great two weeks and I’m very thankful for having the opportunity to visit such great places and meet the people who look after them!