Stiffkey Fen facts for kids
Stiffkey Fen is a special nature reserve located near the village of Stiffkey in Norfolk, England. It's a fantastic place for wildlife, especially birds. This reserve covers about 14 hectares, which is like 35 football fields!
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What is Stiffkey Fen?
Stiffkey Fen is a type of wetland, which means it's an area of land that is often wet, like a swamp or marsh. It has a reed bed, which is a large area filled with tall grass-like plants called reeds. It also has a freshwater lagoon, which is a shallow lake, and some small islands. These different parts make it a perfect home for many animals.
How Stiffkey Fen Was Created
This amazing nature reserve wasn't always a wetland. It used to be farmland! A person named Lord Buxton helped turn it into the wildlife haven it is today. He worked with the Environment Agency, a group that helps protect and improve the environment. Together, they made the wetland even better by slowing down the water flow. This helps keep the fen healthy and full of life.
Amazing Wildlife at Stiffkey Fen
Stiffkey Fen is a very important place for birds. In winter, up to 4,000 northern lapwings gather here to roost, which means they rest and sleep together. You might also spot other cool birds like water rails, which are shy birds that hide in the reeds, and bearded tits, which are small, colorful birds known for their "beard-like" markings.
Protecting Stiffkey Fen
Stiffkey Fen is part of a much larger protected area called the North Norfolk Coast Site of Special Scientific Interest. This means it's a place recognized for its special plants, animals, or geology. The whole area is also protected by other important international agreements like Natura 2000, a Special Protection Area (SPA), and a Ramsar site. These protections help make sure the fen and its wildlife are safe for many years to come. It's also part of the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), which means it's a beautiful landscape that is protected for everyone to enjoy.
The reserve was given to the Buxton Conservation Trust in 1999. This trust helps look after the land and make sure it stays a great place for nature.
