10,000 species recorded in UK nature reserve: wasp-like moth helps reach milestone

Wicken Fen, a long-cultivated patch of fenland in Cambridgeshire, has quietly crossed a major biodiversity milestone: more than 10,000 species have now been officially recorded there. That landmark was reached after the sighting of a rare moth that mimics a wasp, a tiny celebrity whose discovery sent local naturalists celebrating the reserve’s biological richness.

The six-belted clearwing moth, scientifically known as Bembecia ichneumoniformis, was photographed and logged on the reserve for the first time, pushing the total species count past the 10,000 mark. The find underscores how patient habitat protection and active recording can reveal an astonishing breadth of life, even in well-studied landscapes.

Milestone moment: how a mimic moth pushed the tally over 10,000

The moth that clinched the milestone wears its defense on its back: six yellow bands on a dark abdomen that imitate a stinging wasp and deter predators. Its arrival at Wicken Fen is the latest in a long line of discoveries that have swelled the site’s species list.

Managers at the National Trust say the record is a tribute to generations of volunteers, visiting naturalists, and staff who have kept careful lists and contributed sightings. Alan Kell, a manager at the National Trust, described the achievement as a proud moment for everyone involved with the reserve, emphasizing that ongoing observation and recording are what made the milestone possible.

From a two-acre purchase to a sprawling biodiversity hotspot

When the National Trust bought the first parcel of Wicken Fen in 1899, it was just a couple of acres purchased for a nominal sum. Over more than a century, the charity expanded and restored wetland habitats, creating a mosaic of reedbeds, fens, scrub, and wet grassland. Today the protected area spans more than 2,000 acres, with documented increases in species richness tied closely to this expansion.

In 1999 the trust compiled a centralized checklist to track the site’s biodiversity more systematically. Since then, the reserve rose from about 225 hectares to roughly 820 hectares, and the rate of new records has accelerated—especially in the past 25 years—thanks to better surveying and wider participation from citizen scientists.

Noteworthy species that call Wicken Fen home

• Glow-worm
• Fen nettle
• Water vole
• Cuckoo
• Silver-barred (silver barren) moth
• Water scorpion
• Greater bladderwort
• Norfolk hawker dragonfly

Recent additions and surprising visitors

Wicken Fen’s recent discoveries read like a naturalist’s treasure list. Among new or scarce species recorded recently are the ant beetle and grass vetchling, a plant in the pea family that is uncommon in the region. Moth enthusiasts added another curiosity to the books with a sighting of the chamomile shark moth. Birdwatchers also reported extraordinary visits:

• A white-tailed eagle briefly roosted on the reserve in 2022.
• A white stork returned several times during the summer of 2023.

Across two centuries of records, Wicken Fen has even yielded 13 species that were new to science during the 20th century—evidence of how little we sometimes know about even familiar places.

Peatland restoration and a new conservation partnership

Conservation efforts at Wicken Fen have stepped up with a major partnership with The Nature Recovery Project, focusing on restoring lowland peat across the site and beyond. Peatlands store vast amounts of carbon and support unique wetland species, so their recovery has both biodiversity and climate benefits.

James Berry, Head of Strategy at The Nature Recovery Project, highlighted the strategic goal: demonstrating that healthy peatlands can exist alongside productive farming. If that model proves scalable, it could be rolled out to degraded peatlands throughout the country to help cut emissions from one of the nation’s largest natural carbon sources.

Why peat restoration matters

• Carbon storage: Re-wetting peat stabilizes stored carbon and reduces emissions from degraded soils.
• Wildlife habitat: Restored peatlands increase habitat connectivity and support species that rely on wet conditions.
• Climate resilience: Healthy peatlands improve landscape resilience to droughts and floods.

Connecting habitats to boost resilience and species movement

Creating wildlife corridors and expanding habitat patches are central to boosting Wicken Fen’s ecological value. Managers and partners argue that linking restored peat, wet grasslands, and reedbeds gives mobile species places to move as the climate changes and local conditions shift.

Encouragingly, the reserve’s expanding network of habitats not only increases the chance of more rare and unexpected sightings, but also supports everyday species that form the backbone of resilient ecosystems. The National Trust and its partners continue to monitor, record, and manage the site, urging more informed land use across the lowlands to replicate successful outcomes elsewhere.

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Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson is an experienced journalist covering U.S. and global news. With ten years on the front lines, he breaks down political and economic stories that matter. His precise writing and keen attention to detail help you grasp the real‑world impact of every event.