Our vision for the Fens Priority Landscape

By 2030, we want the Fens to be recognised as a landscape at the forefront of wetland restoration and for Fenland farmers to be known for their progressive, restorative and nature-friendly land management practices. There will be recovering populations of priority wetland and farmland bird species, supported by sectors across the landscape working together towards a shared vision for nature restoration.

The Fens was once one of Europe’s largest wetland complexes and left behind a significant legacy. The Priority Landscape holds significant remnant and recreated wetland habitats of international importance, providing a vital refuge for priority wetland bird species.  

The region has some of the most fertile soils in the country, including extensive (yet degraded) areas of peat soils, and is well-recognised for its farmland environment.  

While the Fens has some of the UK’s most intensively managed farmland, it still supports significant breeding populations of priority farmland species like Turtle Doves and Corn Buntings. There are also strong communities of farmers implementing nature-friendly farming practices here.

The Fens Priority Landscape covers the Cambridgeshire Fens (inclusive of areas in Norfolk and Suffolk such as areas surrounding Lakenheath Fen). Five of our nature reserves are encompassed by the Priority Landscape: 

• RSPB Nene Washes 
• RSPB Ouse Washes 
• RSPB Lakenheath Fen 
• RSPB Ouse Fen 
• RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes 

The Fens Priority Landscape contains the Nene Washes and Ouse Washes which are designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Areas and Ramsar sites. 

The area also covers National Trust Wicken Fen and Wildlife Trust Great Fen, both designated (SSSI), National Nature Reserves (NNR) and Ramsar sites, and the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust’s Welney Reserve. 

The Fens Priority Landscape is primarily of biodiversity importance for its wetland habitats.  

The surviving fragments of what was once one of the largest wetland complexes in Europe sustain internationally important populations of breeding wader birds. These include most of the UK’s Black-tailed Godwits, as well as significant populations of other breeding wetland birds, like Bitterns and wintering wildfowl. 

As the climate changes, these areas will also become increasingly important for colonising species (like Cranes and egrets), and some that occupy coastal habitats at risk of loss through climate change.  

The farmed environment is a key aspect of the Fens Priority Landscape. Across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, agriculture occupies 79% of the total land area, which is higher than the English average. 

The area has some of the most fertile soils in the country, including extensive (yet degraded) peat soils. Fen farmland holds significant breeding populations of priority farmland species, too, including Turtle Doves and Corn Buntings. 

With five wetland nature reserves and additional off-reserve habitat creation projects, the RSPB has a significant role to play in bringing nature back to the Fens. Evolving finance and policy mechanisms will enable us to work in partnerships to create significant new wetland habitats and conserve peat soils. 

The Fens has existing strong communities of farmers who want to farm in a more nature-friendly way. This provides the opportunity for us to work with them to significantly increase areas of farmed land that’s well-managed for nature, bolstering populations of priority species and helping to keep carbon in the ground. 

1. Improve the quality and increase the extent of lowland wet grassland, fen, reedbed, and wet woodland habitat to primarily benefit Bitterns, breeding waders, Cranes, Corncrakes and internationally important numbers of wintering waterbirds.  
2. Maintain and increase the populations of priority and conservation-dependent species on RSPB reserves.  
3. Increase the area of farmed land in the Fens that is managed in a low-carbon and nature-friendly way, increasing populations of RSPB priority farmland species, including Turtle Doves, Corn Buntings and Lapwings.  
4. Develop a network of volunteers to support our work with farmers and land managers.
5. Develop sustainable farmer networks to deliver more for nature. 

1. 114ha (hectares) of new wetlands have been created. 
2. 25 Black-tailed Godwit pairs were recorded in 2025 across RSPB Nene and Ouse Washes. 
3. Working with the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Project Godwit came to completion in 2023 after 235 chicks were ‘headstarted’ (2017-2022), boosting the adult breeding population within the Fens.  
4. 48 land managers were involved in providing Turtle Dove habitats and supplementary feeding.  
5. 59 and counting volunteers have been recruited and are contributing across our farm clusters, Turtle Dove and farm wildlife survey work. 
6. Ely Nature-Friendly Farming Zone now has 17 engaged farm members with a new middle-level cluster group in development. 
7. Over the last five years RSPB Lakenheath Fen has increased in size, with new wetlands coming onstream soon, and new predator fencing at RSPB Nene Washes should help more wader chicks fledge.  
8. Our work with Operation Turtle Dove continues to increase the amount of land supporting this endangered bird, from 18 sites (2021) to 50+ (2025). 
9. We’ve re-invigorated an important local farm cluster, bringing in new members and agreeing a long-term strategy, whilst exploring possibilities of new farm collaborations. 
10. We’re working closely with Anglian Water and Cambridge Water on the new Fens public drinking water reservoir proposal, which has the potential to reduce some flooding issues on the Ouse Washes and create substantial new wetlands around the reservoir. 
11. A Landscape Recovery Scheme with local partners is also in development, potentially creating 1000ha of new wetlands around the Ouse Washes. 

Keep an eye on this page for updates. For more information about the Fens Priority Landscape and to find out how to get involved in our work, contact us at the.fens@rspb.org.uk. 

We’re working with and alongside the Wildlife Trust Beds, Cambs, Northants (WT BCN), the National Trust, the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT), local councils, minerals operators, Fens for the Future and Natural Cambridgeshire partners, FWAG East and our farming community.

https://elynffarming.wordpress.com/ 

https://www.operationturtledove.org/ 

https://farmwildlife.info/  

https://www.fensforthefuture.org.uk/