Holme Fen and a mammal that can fly!

 

 

 

 

 

Holme Fen

Last week I went to Flag Fen to listen to a fascinating talk about the Great Fen project.  ' What is it? ' you may ask, particularly if you don't live in this area or country.

Well, the Great Fen is a 50-year project to create a huge wetland area.  One of the largest restoration projects of its type in Europe, the landscape of the fens between Peterborough and Huntingdon is being transformed for the benefit both of wildlife and of people. Land that was drained from the 17th Century onwards for farming purposes is now being reclaimed in the hope that rare species of plants and animals will return. More information is on the Great Fen website.http://www.greatfen.org.uk/

This got me thinking about some of the fantastic beasts that are there already and led me to study the wonderful world of bats, the only mammal that flies [without the use of an engine!]

Common pippistrelle bat

 

I know that bats are not everyone's idea of 'beautiful' but they are fascinating creatures and if you want to know more there's lots of information about them  on www.bats.org.uk  

 

Don't worry, if you're not that keen on them, all British bats are insectivorous and are likely to be hibernating until the weather gets better but how can anyone resist these fascinating creatures??!

 

  Close up view of bat toes and claws

I think bats deserve a little more attention, don't you? Now to get to work on a design for a print........