Suffolk Valley Fens (Day Trip)

June/July

The fens are fabulous at this time of year, with drifts of around 10 different species of orchid, featuring a number of marsh orchids including real rarities: the little-known Pugsley’s Marsh Orchid and a very good chance of finding one of Britain's rarest orchids – Dactylorhiza (incarnata) ochroleuca – intriguingly named by the locals as the Ice-cream Marsh Orchid! Other delights such as the sinister, insectivorous Butterworts and Bog Pimpernel – far prettier than its name suggests – will be flowering prolifically. Insects should abound, with many early season dragonflies and damselflies, which may include Scarce Emerald Damselfly, keeping us company as we amble around the fens, accompanied by the sights and sounds of summer warblers and other birds. Grasshopper Warbler, Garden Warbler, Cuckoo, Kingfisher and Hobby are all likely to be encountered.

August

By mid-August the vegetation is at full stretch and the huge numbers of Grass of Parnassus at Market Weston Fen are looking stunning. We should also find Marsh Lousewort, stately Saw Sedge, the sinister sounding Skullcap and Great Burnet at one of its only sites in the east. Insects are abundant; dragonflies might include Willow Emerald joining the more familiar darters, late season butterflies, bees and moths. Fen Raft Spiders are fun to look for and Marsh Tits, Green Woodpeckers, Bullfinches, Linnets and Reed Buntings abound, and there is a very good chance of hearing elusive Water Rails squealing in the reeds.