Wicken Fen Bioblitz 2018

The final total for the 24 hour bioblitz was 792 species!
Chris Packham and his team joined us on Sunday as part of his UK Bioblitz.  The aim of the Bioblitz campaign was to highlight the extent to which the nation’s wildlife is under threat.  The results of the 2018 audit will be recorded to create a benchmark that will help measure the rise and fall of different species in the future.

Some highlights from the day were: the Silver-barred moth and Reed Leopard moth – both rare and Wicken specialities; the largest (and rare) great diving beetle Dytiscus Dimidiatus, and Purple Hairstreak and Holly Blue butterflies.  Amongst the many birds we had Crane, Marsh harrier, and a Turtle dove was heard.
 

Special plants found and identified included: great fen sedge, marsh pea, marsh arrow-grass, lesser spearwort, and bladderwort.

The fish records were interesting, especially the eDNA result from Dr Kat Bruce, as they confirmed the presence of less common species such as Eel, Bitterfing, Spined Loach and Bullhead, as well as the larger species such as Pike, Perch, Tench, Rudd and Roach.
We also enjoyed a variety of activities as part of our recording efforts, such as pond dipping, minibeast hunting, earthworm surveying, and wildflower and dragonfly walks.  We’d like to thank everyone involved for making our bioblitz such a success!