Redgrave and Lopham Fen - 27/8/2021

A large covey of GREY PARTRIDGES were on the approach road to Redgrave

Redgrave and Lopham Fen is perhaps Suffolk Wildlife Trust's most important nature reserve. One of the largest valley fens in western Europe, this reserve protects a habitat that is an extreme rarity in our country. This was my first visit to the reserve and what surprised me was how big the site was, its huge. I'm used to seeing habitats like this as a small parcel of land in some farmland, an afterthought in the countryside. Its amazing how a place like Redgrave could have survived to this day. But then seeing the rural backwater it is in, its surprising how so few have survived, the sheer size of the Suffolk countryside should hold more. As is usual to create a tidy industrialised farmscape, we have lost so much of our natural world, the natural landscape should be full of valley fens, rather than just in a few reserves.

KONIK PONIES were first introduced to Redgrave

At Redgrave and Lopham Fen, the Wildlife Trust lacked the manpower to manage the reserve, so Konik Ponies were introduced from Poland, the first time this was done in the country. The ponies are very hardy and suited to living in a wetland environment, and as a result are left to spend their time grazing the fen, keeping the place open and free of tree invasion. This natural management suits the wildlife of this habitat allowing it to thrive. Grazing with Koniks has now been copied in many reserves throughout the country, and most wetlands now have a herd of Koniks, for example Minsmere.

Fenland

Being August things were out of season for wildlife at Redgrave. Most of the flowers have blossomed and most of the birds have raised families and left. However there were a few things about. At least two HOBBIES were present, one on Little Fen and one on Great Fen, separate sides of the fen. Adding to the raptor mix a female MARSH HARRIER was also on Little Fen. There were a small number of DUCK about, a couple of GADWALL on a pool in Great Fen and seven TEAL were seen in flight. 

On the approach road to Redgrave, I saw a GREY PARTRIDGE sticking its head above the crops. On further examination I disturbed it, and put up a whole covey of 21 birds. This is a very large number for this bird nowadays, certainly the largest I have ever seen, which is a shame as it used to be a very common bird. In 2021 there are now one bird for every 10 there were in the 1970s. A bird very much in peril, and shows just how hostile the general countryside has become to birds that once inhabited it.

PURPLE LOOSETRIFE was very much in flower gloriously colouring the fen

Although not many flowers were about, the PURPLE LOOSETRIFE was gloriously in flower, and in one field the DEVIL'S BIT SCABIOUS grew in profusion. The scabious got its name for being a herb to help cuts, old lore that has almost passed from knowledge. 

A field full of DEVIL'S BIT SCABIOUS

This was very much a visit to recce the reserve, to finally see one of the most important wetlands in the country. I knew it would be out of season and didn't expect to see much so I wasn't disappointed with the lack of sightings. Places like these are so important, bursting with life, a lot that's common, some that's rare, all important. These reserves are reservoirs of life in a hostile land, a place from which wildlife can spread once more when the countryside has again become more sympathetic to nature.