Ouse Washes
Facts and practical information
Ouse Washes is a linear 2,513.6 hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest stretching from near St Ives in Cambridgeshire to Downham Market in Norfolk. It is also a Ramsar internationally important wetland site, a Special Protection Area under the European Union Birds Directive, a Special Area of Conservation, and a Nature Conservation Review site, Grade I. An area of 186 hectares between March and Ely is managed by the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire, and another area near Chatteris is managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust manages another area near Welney. ()
England
Best Ways to Experience the Park
Wildlife
AnimalsSee what popular animal species you can meet in this location.
Peregrine falcon
The peregrine falcon, a member of the Falconidae family, is celebrated for its astonishing speed and hunting prowess. It can reach speeds exceeding 320 km/h (200 mph) during its iconic dive, known as a stoop, making it the fastest bird and animal on Earth.
Birds
Merlin
The merlin, also known as the pigeon hawk, is a small yet formidable falcon found throughout the Northern Hemisphere, with various subspecies populating both North America and Eurasia. Renowned for their speed and hunting prowess, these birds primarily prey on small...
Birds
Tundra swan
The tundra swan is an intriguing bird species found throughout the Holarctic region, consisting of two main subspecies: Bewick's swan and the whistling swan. Bewick's swan is named after the engraver Thomas Bewick, while the scientific name "columbianus" for the...
Birds
Hen harrier
The hen harrier is a captivating bird of prey belonging to the genus Circus, with its scientific name "cyaneus" translating to "dark-blue" in Latin. There's some debate among experts about whether the northern harrier and the hen harrier are distinct species or merely...
Birds
Short-eared owl
The short-eared owl is a captivating bird belonging to the genus Asio. It earns its name from the tufts of feathers on its head that resemble ears, although these "ears" are not always visible unless the owl adopts a defensive posture.
Birds
England