Baston Fen Nature Reserve
Baston Fen contains 80 acres of permanent pasture floods in winter and attracts large numbers of wildfowl. Near the entrance is an area of willow carr, which provides a range of nesting sites for birds. In summer a footpath leads through the carr into a wooded area, in winter the carr is flooded. The carr provides shelter and nesting sites for birds, such as tits, finches and warblers.
Highlights:
Birds are numerous and varied at most times of the year and over 160 species have been recorded. Of interest in the breeding season are shoveler, tufted duck, sedge warbler and, occasionally, garganey. In winter flocks of up to 1000 wildfowl, including teal, wigeon and mallard, and occasional Bewick's swan, pintail and goosander, can be seen, together with parties of snipe and redshank in March as the flood waters recede.
Damselflies and dragonflies
Hairy, migrant hawker, ruddy darter and four-spotted chaser.
Flooding
The management of the reserve perpetuates winter flooding from early December to early March, and uncontrolled summer flooding sometimes occurs. The washes are cut for hay or grazed by cattle.
Location and Access: The reserve entrance is at the east end of the reserve, about l km (0.6 miles) south-west of the junction of the Baston-Pode Hole and Bourne-Tongue End roads. Parking space is usually available over the concrete bridge and along the track to the left.
View wildfowl on flooded Low Wash from the track next to Counter Drain or from foot of the River Glen bank. Please do not view from the top of the River Glen bank as this disturbs wildfowl on all washes.