Field Trip: Chippenham Fen - July 1st 2023

A guided walk with Vince Lea, Cambs & Essex Conservation Officer, and Mike Taylor, Reserve Manager, in this remarkable fenland habitat. The target species are Purple Emperor (an attempt to confirm a new colony) and Silver-barred moth, a Cambridgeshire speciality day-flying moth found only at a few fenland reserves. Also likely to be seen are Silver-washed Fritillary, Purple Hairstreak, and a wide range of specialist wetland moth species.

A moth trap will be set-up on the night before so if you want to see the trap contents please arrive at 9am. The butterfly and day-flying moth search begins at 10:30am. If you wish to skip the moths please arrive at the later time.

Mike Taylor, Reserve Manager, will be on hand to lead the tour and can arrange access to the gate at the specified times. There is a security-coded farm gate at the vehicle access point and access to the fen is down a rutted farm track with strict speed restrictions, parking is available at the reserve entrance. The usual public access is via footpaths with parking points some distance away from the fen, the public footpath goes through the middle of the fen but the tour will take us into other restricted parts of the reserve.

Vince Lea, the organiser, will give booked attendees Mike's phone number and detailed directions will be provided closer to the date.

Grid ref: TL 64874 69404

Only a few places remaining. Please contact the organiser by Thursday 29th June if you wish to take part.