Animals, plants and the changing habitats themselves, are monitored by a team of volunteers and staff.
If you can help with this monitoring, please contact
Henry Stanier the Great Fen Monitoring and Research Officer.
Details of some of the animals and plants that can be seen at this time of year in different parts of the Great Fen
Brown Hawker Dragonfly
Paul Tinsley-Marshall
Monitoring Project sightings
Date: Tue,9th Aug 2016
Species: Butterflies
Location: Engine Farm
38 butterflies of 6 species
The transect commenced at 10.55am and was completed at 11.45am It was carried out in bright sunny conditions with a temp of about 18 C and an average wind speed of 3 but with occasional gusts to force 4.
Butterfly numbers were significantly lower since the last transect. This was probably due to the season being in the late stages for Meadow Brown, whilst an absence of suitable nectar sources for the likes of Red Admiral and Peacock, except at the start and toward the end of the transect may have affected numbers; the mid-sections of the transect route had been hay-cut since the last visit.
Only six species were recorded. 21 Meadow Brown achieved the highest numbers, followed by 7 Peacock, 4 Red Admiral and Green-veined White 4. There were also single Painted Lady and Small White.
Dragonflies were also recorded - 7 Brown Hawker and 5 Common Darter
Ron Harold (Great Fen Monitor)
