The landmark was marked earlier this year with the discovery of the rare Six-belted Clearwing moth. Its striped yellow abdomen mimics a wasp, helping it avoid predators and adding to the long list of extraordinary species found on the reserve.
Wicken Fen has long been a magnet for naturalists. Wildlife records here stretch back 200 years, and during the 20th century, 13 species new to science were discovered on the site. However, the past 25 years have seen a surge in records. Conservation efforts since 1999, combined with warmer temperatures and more sophisticated monitoring, have dramatically increased the reserve’s biodiversity.
Alan Kell, Countryside Manager at the National Trust, said: “Reaching 10,000 recorded species is a proud achievement for everyone who has cared for this special corner of the country. When the National Trust bought Wicken for just £10 in 1899, it was only two acres. Today, it is a thousand times larger and possibly the most biodiverse recorded reserve in the UK.”
This milestone coincides with a new partnership with The Nature Recovery Project, aimed at restoring lowland peatlands across the UK. At Wicken, this will create new wetlands, preserve peat, and support innovative farming methods called paludiculture. These measures will help manage water levels, boost wildlife, and turn degraded peat soils into thriving ecosystems.
James Berry, Head of Strategy at The Nature Recovery Project, said: “We hope to show that healthy, thriving peatlands can coexist with sustainable food production. This model could be adopted widely, helping reduce emissions from the UK’s largest natural emitter.”
The reserve’s expansion has been crucial to its success. Since 1999, Wicken has grown from 225 hectares to 820 hectares, with the increase in size credited for boosting both abundance and diversity of wildlife. Recent discoveries include the ant beetle, grass vetchling, chamomile shark moth, and even visiting birds such as a white-tailed eagle in 2022 and a white stork in 2023. Some species, like the swallowtail butterfly, have been lost due to habitat destruction, highlighting the importance of ongoing conservation efforts.
Technology is also playing a growing role. Wicken participates in The Bioscan Project led by the Wellcome Sanger Institute, using DNA barcoding to track insect diversity and population trends. Lyndall Pereira da Conceicao, Bioscan Science Lead, said: “Sites like Wicken Fen, with long-term monitoring and rich biodiversity, are invaluable for understanding changes in UK insect populations and guiding conservation for years to come.”
Alan Kell added: “The more space and wildlife corridors we can create, the better chance we have of supporting even more species, especially in a changing climate.”
Some of Wicken Fen’s most fascinating species include glow-worms that ride on snails, dragonflies that have expanded their range from the Norfolk Broads, water voles that build complex burrows, and carnivorous bladderwort plants that trap prey with underwater bladders. The Six-belted Clearwing moth, the 10,000th species, perfectly illustrates the fen’s extraordinary biodiversity and its capacity to surprise and inspire.
Picture from: National Trust