Page Title

THE W ICKEN SKIMMER

MAY 2009

THE BULLETIN OF THE DRAGONFLY PROJECT

BACK IN BUSINESS! Some of you with long memories will recall that when our last "Migrant Skimmer" was issued back in April 2007, we found ourselves wondering whether to rename the Bulletin "The Wicken

Skimmer" This was because the National Trust took us under their wing at Wicken Fen Nature Reserve in 2003 and have allowed us to operate from their Wren Educational Building ever since. Well …

The chief reason why there have been no "Skimmers" since 2007 is that we have been waiting - with white knuckles - ever since then for a momentous event to occur. And it just has. And now we really can rename this Bulletin "The Wicken Skimmer"!

Just in the last few weeks, work has begun on the rebuilding of a delightful fenman's cottage in the lane leading to the Fen, close to Wicken's main car-park. Thanks to tremendous hard work and support by Chris Soans (the Property Manager) and his National Trust team, by the time you read this the cottage will have begun its journey back to what it used to look like.

And it will be a Centre for Dragonflies! No, it's not as big as the former Biomuseum, but it validates our unswerving determination to set up a Centre to replace what we lost in 2001. Even better news, the Dragonfly Project (DP) are coming together in partnership with the British Dragonfly Society (BDS) to run this project.

As many of you know, the BDS concentrates primarily on the study and conservation of dragonflies, whereas the DP has consistently fought to raise public awareness that dragonflies are fascinating, beautiful and in trouble worldwide. For the two organizations to work together at Wicken is brilliant - and absolutely logical. Wicken is a fine place to publicise dragonflies and also one of the best sites in the country to study them.

The Wicken Dragonfly Centre will have many of the features we developed at Ashton. There will be:- detailed easy-to-read interpretation boards, TV films of dragonflies in action, display cases, a larva tank, a raised pond for showing youngsters dragonflies emerging and laying eggs, a bigger pond to demonstrate ideal dragonfly-attracting habitat, a small back-office for scientific work, and, most importantly, enthusiastic volunteers to answer questions and encourage interest.

Astonishingly, the volunteer team that ran the Biomuseum has held together through thick and thin; we can be really proud if that, but we still need more help, so if you feel you'd like to assist us, you'd be very welcome. All you need is to be able to say: "I'm not sure I can answer that, but I know who to ask or how to find out." Gradually, you'll be able to answer more questions. There's no pressure and usually a drink and nibbles at the end of the day.

As you'll see from the "Events" page, the Centre will be opened by Chris Packham on Sunday 26th of July. Do come along! If you're not a member of the National Trust, it's a great way to get a glimpse of the Reserve without paying, as the National Trust have generously waived the entry fee that day for visitors coming to the Opening. As always at these events there will be a V.I.P. tent, but Chris will be carrying out the Opening Ceremony in the open air and you'll get a chance to see and speak to him. Anyone who knows him will confirm that he's not just a pretty TV face; he's an extremely knowledgeable naturalist. Partly as a result of our pestering him, he's even up to speed on dragonflies! We first met him when we co-operated on filming at Ashton Water Dragonfly Sanctuary for 'Nature Detectives' back in 1991. He opened the National Dragonfly Biomuseum in 1995 and he gave the last lecture in the Corbet Lecture series in 2001. So we really value his support.

In the last Bulletin we mentioned that the National Trust was keen to keep us at Wicken; they see what we do as a valuable contribution. It's really great that they have given us this amazing opportunity to have a solid foothold in fenland once more. Of course we haven't lost sight of our eventual aim of a purpose-built Centre, but we're delighted to be given the chance to prove once again that people can be 'hooked' into wildlife and conservation through learning about dragonflies.

It's also pleasing that our connection with the Rothschild naturalists remains unbroken. As most of you know, we began under Miriam's wing on her father Charles's estate at Ashton. We moved for a season to Woodwalton Fen, bought by Charles Rothschild in 1911; and here we are for our seventh year, now with a proper little Centre, at Wicken, 30 acres of which was bought by Charles ten years earlier and given to the Trust.

The Dragonfly Partnership (between the BDS and the DP) has already shown that it can really punch above its weight. With our help the National Trust has raised over £70,000 towards this project, funds coming not only from the Trust but also from The Environment Agency, the East of England Development Board, Anglian Water and the Partnership itself.

But as always, we still need money for daily running costs! One day, we won't have to end the Bulletin with a financial appeal but until then … we still need your help, (cheques, please, to The Dragonfly Project, 23 Bowker Way, Whittlesey, Peterborough PE7 1PY). (Registered Charity No: 1046086) If you CAN help, thank you in advance!

The Centre will be manned most weekends during the summer by volunteers from the both DP and the BDS. The easiest way to make sure someone is there is to check the website 'dragonflypartnership.co.uk'. So, even if you can't make the Grand Opening come and see us if you can!

Onwards! And thanks for all your support over the years!

Ruary Mackenzie Dodds