Wildlife in the Ely Wildspace

Roswell Pits, Ely Common, the Great Ouse flood meadows, and Ely Beet Pits together support a fantastic array of wildlife.

Marsh harriers

The reedbeds are home to breeding marsh harriers – majestic emblems of the Fens that narrowly avoided extinction last century. At least five birds now regularly use this area. Find out more about the marsh harrier here.

Bittern

The area is the most consistent site in Cambridgeshire for the bittern - nearly driven extinct just ten years ago, and still one of Britain’s rarest birds. Between them, the Beet Pits and Roswell support two territorial males. Find out more about the bittern here.

Kingfishers

More common but no less spectacular, Roswell is among the best places in England for seeing kingfishers. Find out more about kingfishers here.

Otters and water voles

Even otters now regularly visit the biggest pit at Roswell, as well as the Beet Pits. Their return has been associated with the disappearance of American mink, and the resurgence of water voles in the area. Find out more about otters and water voles here.

Adders tongue fern and orchids

This interesting species of fern, with a spore bearing stalk said to look like a snakes tongue, can be found on the common. There are also many species of orchids that can be found in the Ely Wildspace including the marsh, bee and green-veined orchids.

Roesels' bush cricket

A relatively rare species of cricket, found in marshy grasslands occasionally seen in the Ely Wildspace. For more information on this species click here

Copyright Nigel Russell (left red tipped clear wing, right yellow legged)

Clearwings

Both red tipped and yellow legged clearwings can be found in the Ely Wildspace. Both species are listed as Nationally Scare and it is thought that these records are the first in this part of Cambridgeshire. The red tipped clearwing relies upon water side willow trees that provide their larvae with a home and food.

The red tipped clear wings were seen in the south pit, owned by the Environment Agency, and the yellow legged clear wing from the ancient oak found by the level crossing on Springhead Lane.

Please click here for more information on the red tipped and yellow legged clearwings.

Other wildlife

Rare snipe breed on the meadows, while barn owls patrol at dusk, hunting for voles. Find out more about snipe and barn owls here.

A valuable resource for Ely residents

Most remarkably, all of this wildlife flourishes only a mile or so from the cathedral, and right alongside hundreds of people who visit the area every week - to walk, sail, fish, and simply to relax and enjoy being in nature.

But now a new, much more intrusive activity looks set to destroy this extraordinary example of sustainable coexistence.