Bolshayne Fen facts for kids

Bolshayne Fen is a special wet area, or wetland, located in the southeast of Devon, England. It covers about 1.62 hectares, which is roughly the size of two football fields! This amazing place is home to many unique plants and animals.

What is Bolshayne Fen?

Bolshayne Fen was officially named a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) on September 25, 1992. This means it's a very important place for nature and needs to be protected.

This fen is a rare type of wetland called a "valley fen." It's unusually large and still in great condition. It has many different kinds of marsh plants that are hard to find anywhere else in Devon. The fen sits in a single field about 40 meters above sea level. A small stream called Nanny's Water flows through it. This stream eventually joins the River Coly.

The soil here is made of deep, wet, peaty loam. This is a rich soil that holds a lot of water. Below this soil are older rock layers. In winter, the fen often gets flooded, which helps keep it wet and healthy.

Plants of Bolshayne Fen

The plants at Bolshayne Fen grow in a mix of different types. You'll mostly see bright yellow yellow iris, branched bur-reed, and different kinds of rushes. In some spots, greater tussock-sedge grows very thickly.

Other cool plants you might spot include meadowsweet, marsh-marigold, ragged robin, watermint, and the beautiful southern marsh-orchid.

There are also four plant species that are quite rare in Devon:

• Wood club-rush
• Marsh valerian
• Fen bedstraw
• Common spike-rush

Along the edges of Nanny's Water stream, you'll find many alder trees. The ground under these trees is covered with ramsons, also known as wild garlic.

Animals of Bolshayne Fen

Bolshayne Fen is not just for plants; it's also a home for many animals!

Fish and Reptiles

In Nanny's Water, you can find brown trout and eels. The fen is also a great place for reptiles. Look out for grass snakes and adders (a type of viper).

Birds

Many different birds visit Bolshayne Fen. The water rail is a special visitor because it rarely breeds in Devon, but it has been seen here during the summer. In winter, snipe and woodcock often come to feed in the fen. You might also spot a grey heron or a barn owl flying overhead.