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Fiskerton Fen Nature Reserve
Wildlife watching at Fiskerton Fen
According to the weather forecasts, wednedsday was supposed to be sunny, make the most of it, they said. Make the most of what? There was no sun, no bright skies or warm temperatures. Cold, windy, showers and minor flooding would have been a better prediction.
I had planned to venture further afield but when it started raining the moment I turned the car ignition on I knew it wasn’t going to be my day. I decided to stay quite local in case I had to revert to plan b because of the rain, then I remembered I didn’t have a plan a so I gave up.
As I have mentioned before I am fortunate to have some very nice places to visit close to where I live and, throwing caution to the wind I headed east instead of west of Bardney with careless abandon.
For the benefit of my overseas visitors England is subject to flooding once again. Half a day’s rain and we’re done for, considering our reputation for wet weather (Wimbledon) you would think we would be better at handling it, but no. Driving through the Lincolnshire countryside there were great pools of water, rain soaked fields and livestock being transported to safer ground.
Driving along I stumbled across the nature reserve at Fiskerton, near Bardney. Making the most of a fifteen minute lull in the rain I headed for the bird watching hide which was designed in the style of a Bronze Age hut. It is ironic that I should visit here at a time of flooding, the reserve exists thanks to European union funding following work on a flood defence system for the River Witham.
The main idea behind the reserve is to attract certain species back to a natural wetland habitat including marsh harrier’s, bittern and the rare greater water parsnip(?!)-honest!
I shall certainly return here in the warmer months because the surrounding areas are full of wild flowers which in turn attract butterflies and other birds which shelter in the scrub.
A worthwhile detour on a dull, overcast day.
Miles
great photo and write up.
Once again a place I’ve not heard of.
Don’t get me started on the rain.
Rod
January 18, 2008 @ 8:55 am
Rod,
Where was my flash when I needed it? Another write off today-bloody weather.
Miles
January 18, 2008 @ 8:59 am
Miles,
I know that hut…. thought it was an actual iron age dwelling marvellously preserved by the persistent Lincolnshire weather, silly me
Every time I travel down that road I think of the Time Team programme about that area and all the things they found. The old marsh dwellers had made low wooden bridges to help them cope with the conditions, the remains lay deep in the embankment. Did you feel a shudder of ‘celticness’ down your spine?
Cid
January 18, 2008 @ 12:43 pm
Cid,
Didn’t know that about the marsh dwellers, the only shudder I felt was from the awful weather
Miles
January 18, 2008 @ 1:44 pm
Miles & Cid,
And not a snipe in sight?
The weather is enough to make you reach for the Schnapps. I can see why the Scots drink Whisky
Could be worse though, think of Myanmar.
Elsie
January 18, 2008 @ 9:26 pm
Miles and Elsie
I believe Fiskerton is a place where half decent weather is almost essential or melancholy could result. They must have been made of strong stuff those early settlers although presumably their diet was good…. lots of fish and snipe so was it considered a des res of the day? We locals should make our way to Lincoln museum to find out more.
Cid
January 18, 2008 @ 11:01 pm
Cid and Elsie,
I think most places around here need decent weather at the moment. I agree that the settlers were made of stronger stuff but they’re not on holiday!
Miles
January 19, 2008 @ 8:43 am