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Brinking
This is a process that, as far as is known, is unique to Wicken Fen. It is a form of management that affects the vegetation that grows up to and over the edge of our water courses i.e. the "brink".
By mid-June the vegetated margins have grown to a height of about 1 - 1.5m. This tends to over shadow the ditch edge and is thought to hinder some species of dragonfly and damselfly. On selected water bodies this growth is cut back in alternate c. 50m lengths. Once dried the material is cleared away.
Whilst the main beneficiaries are the invertebrates, this work also benefits some of the less competitive plant species. By removing the competition of the taller species, these less competitive plants, usually small or low growing, stand a much better chance of flowering and setting seed.
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