Nene Washes facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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| Area of Search | Cambridgeshire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 1,522.1 hectares |
| Notification | 1983 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
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Designations
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| Official name: Nene Washes | |
| Designated: | 5 March 1993 |
|---|---|
| Reference #: | 587 |
The Nene Washes is a very special natural area in Cambridgeshire, England. It covers about 1,522 hectares (that's over 3,700 acres!). This amazing place is located near the River Nene, just east of Peterborough.
It's known as a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's protected because of its important plants, animals, or geology. The Nene Washes is also recognized as a Ramsar site, which means it's a wetland that's important for wildlife all over the world. It's also a Special Area of Conservation and a Special Protection Area. These titles show how important this place is for nature.
Part of the Nene Washes, about 280 hectares, is looked after by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). They help protect the birds and their homes here.
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What Makes Nene Washes Special?
Natural England, a group that protects England's nature, says the Nene Washes is one of the few "washland" areas left in Britain. A washland is a special type of floodplain. It's designed to hold extra water from the River Nene when there are floods.
This area gets flooded for most of the winter. This creates perfect watery habitats for many birds. In the summer, the water usually dries up, and the land becomes pasture. This means it's used for grazing animals.
Home for Amazing Birds
The Nene Washes is super important for birds all year round.
Winter Visitors
In winter, many wildfowl come here to feed and rest. These include:
Breeding Birds
When spring arrives, many birds choose the Nene Washes to build their nests and raise their young. Some of these breeding birds are:
Interestingly, the common cranes also spend their winters here. They often gather in large groups in nearby fields.
Birds of Prey
The reserve is also a great place to spot birds of prey. These powerful hunters include:
Plants and Fish
The Nene Washes isn't just about birds! It has a rich variety of plants and even some special fish.
Unique Plants
The ditches and waterways here are home to some uncommon plant species. These include:
- Frogbit
- Water violet
- Flowering rush
Special Fish
There's also a very important group of spined loach fish living in the drainage channels. These small fish are so important that their presence is one of the main reasons why the Nene Washes is protected as a Special Area of Conservation.
Visiting Nene Washes
If you want to visit, you can access the RSPB reserve part of the Nene Washes. It's located just east of the B1040 road, and you can get there from the Nene Way path. However, the western part of the Nene Washes is private land, so there is no public access there.
