Here are some of the birds, plants, and animals you might meet on your journey.

1) Birds of the Fenland Skies

Whether you’re a keen birdwatcher or a curious beginner, the Fens are a brilliant place to spot water birds and rare species.

kingfisher | vincent van zalinge

Kingfishers: If you’re lucky, you might spot a flash of electric blue darting across the water. Although they nest in the riverbanks, it’s pretty rare to see one; so look out for them in the morning or at dusk.

You’ll be more likely to see swans, ducks and geese. Swans glide alongside the boat as if escorting you, while moorhens bob around the reeds with their chicks in tow. Herons keep impossibly still, but you may notice one on the bank, poised to catch a fish in the shallows.

Marsh Harriers and Owls: In more open areas, keep an eye on the sky. These larger birds of prey are often spotted circling overhead.

marsh harrier | paul kelly

Top Spotting Tip: When you’re moored up, a narrowboat allows you to observe without disturbing the wildlife, like a floating bird hide! The waterfowl may even approach you.

2) Towpath Botanicals

Walking the towpath is not only a chance to stretch your legs, but also to enjoy a closer look at the wildflowers and plants lining the banks.

Purple Loosestrife and Yellow Flag Iris are out in the summer, adding splashes of colour to your journey. Reed beds rustle in the breeze, creating a habitat for many small creatures.

yellow flag iris | martin wemyss

In spring and early summer, you might spot cow parsley, wild poppies, and meadowsweet, while later in the year, blackberries offer the opportunity for a little wild foraging. There are brilliant towpath foraging tips, and a muffin recipe, by narrowboater Helen here: Foraging With Children.

blackberry raspberry cake | micheile henderson

Why It Matters: Noticing these small details can turn an ordinary walk into a mini nature treasure hunt for kids, or a mindful practice for grown-ups.

3) Creatures Great and Small

While you’re relaxing on deck or strolling the towpath, keep your eyes peeled for shy mammals and water-loving insects.

Water voles (think Ratty from Wind in the Willows) are often seen along Cambridgeshire’s quieter waterways. My favourite are dragonflies and damselflies dancing above the surface on sunny days, their shimmering wings catching the light.

Hares and deer sometimes appear at dawn or dusk in the open countryside beyond the riverbanks. And of course, frogs and newts can be found near weedy stretches of canal and pond-like areas.

deer divide | zero

Family Bonus: Even children used to tech can’t help but be curious when a dragonfly lands on the roof of the boat or a tiny frog hops across the path.

4) Nature Reserves along the Way

Cruising with Fox Narrowboats puts you within reach of several wildlife-rich destinations.

Welney Wetland Centre: A must for bird lovers, this reserve is part of the Ouse Washes and is famous for its migratory swans and waders. The best way to visit is to take a taxi from either Denver or Littleport to the centre. Fox Route 1 will take you on the River Ouse and you can reserve tickets for the centre online.

Wicken Fen: One of the oldest nature reserves in the UK, Wicken Fen offers a magical mixture of sedge, water, and sky. You can moor nearby and take a walk through the boardwalks to explore rare habitats. From the moorings on Wicken Lode it is a short walk to the National Trust Visitors Centre and café.

wicken fen | phil hearing

Roswell Pits, near Ely: A peaceful spot for watching birds and dragonflies, and a good place to stretch your legs before heading into Ely town.

Planning Tip: Check mooring locations in advance if you’d like to combine cruising with a visit to these wild havens.

5) Slow Travel, Rich Encounters

What makes wildlife spotting from a narrowboat so special? It’s the combination of stillness and surprise. One moment you’re making tea in the galley, the next, you’re calling out to everyone because a deer just leapt across the bank. It’s not staged or rushed, it’s real, and it stays with you.

Whether you’re a family looking to connect, or a couple seeking peace and quiet, nature finds a way of making your narrowboat journey unforgettable.

Ready to Drift into Nature?

At Fox Narrowboats, we’re proud to help families, couples and nature lovers discover the hidden wildlife wonders of Cambridgeshire’s waterways. All of our boats come with the comforts of home, and the convenience of being close to nature.

Book your holiday narrowboat today and begin your own slow adventure.

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Photo credits: Kingfisher by Vincent van Zalinge on Unsplash. Marsh Harrier Paul Kelly on Unsplash. Yellow flag Iris Martin Wemyss on Unsplash. Blackberry and raspberry cake micheile henderson on Unsplash. Deer Divide By Zero on Unsplash. Wicken Fen Phil Hearing on Unsplash

The post Exploring Cambridgeshire’s Wildlife: Spotting Flora and Fauna with Fox Narrowboats appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.

Conservationists around the world have been noticing some hidden benefits of the recent coronavirus restrictions. While people stayed at home, and traffic was kept to an unprecedented minimum, some scientists said that our native mammals may have benefitted from these drastic changes. (BBC News 14/04/20)

Some wildlife species have been taking advantage of spaces that are usually dominated by humans. UK road traffic decreased by 75% in the first week of lockdown. Then, people taking their permitted exercise in quiet places saw hedgehogs, stoats, foxes, badgers, and even deer. These animals are usually quite sensitive to disturbance. The Independent reported that peregrine falcons, buzzards and weasels returned to abandoned National Trust properties for the first time in decades, and pictures were shared on social media of animals worldwide, turning up unexpectedly in urban places.

Here at our hire-boat base, on the rural waterways of Cambridgeshire, we are lucky enough to be close to plenty of thriving wildlife. So, on a local walk, a narrowboat daytrip or a boating holiday in the Fens, you may see kingfishers, dragonflies, damselflies and otters or water voles.

Volunteer

However, it’s still not that easy to spot the more sensitive creatures, so volunteering is a great way to see more. Conservation organisations usually welcome volunteers to help with wildlife monitoring. Volunteers in the Middle Level can be trained in aspects of wildlife identification, such as spotting signs of water voles, otters and invasive ditch plants. There may also be opportunities to see eels, barn owls, and bats. If you like wildlife and are interested in volunteering you could get in touch with the conservation officer of the Middle Level to enquire about future opportunities.

Wetlands

Our local wetland habitats are managed and maintained to protect the environment. Sometimes, where possible, new habitats are being created to increase the overall sustainability for the Fens. If you’re visiting this area check out some of our local conservation projects.

The Great Fen is a 50-year project to create a huge wetland area and join two of the last fragments of wild fen, Woodwalton Fen and Holme Fen which are National Nature Reserves. On their own they are too small and isolated to effectively support the special wildlife of the original fens. Wicken Fen is one of Europe’s most important wetland sites and supports an incredible range of plants, birds and dragonflies. It is also the oldest national nature reserve in England. The Ouse Washes attracts thousands of ducks and swans in winter, and in spring, hundreds of snipe, lapwings and redshanks breed. This is a good place to see dragonflies in summer.

Boating

If you’d like to see some of this amazing local wildlife yourself, check availability now for your next narrowboat holiday. Our holiday bookings are open from 4th July 2020 COVID-19 permitting. If your holiday cannot go ahead due to COVID-19 and government restrictions, full refunds will be given. 2021 holidays are also available to book. Check out our Coronavirus Guarantee.

If you enjoy reading about nature and wildlife sign up for updates from this blog. (We never share or sell email addresses – your details are safe with us.) Just look for ‘Follow Blog’ in the sidebar on the right and we’ll send you stories, tips and advice about narrowboating around the Fens.

The post 3 Ways to See More Fenland Wildlife appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.