Tucked away in the flat lands of rural East Anglia lies Wicken Fen, loved for its big skies and tiny creatures, boasting over 9,000 recorded species. For 125 years, this wildlife sanctuary has been cared for by the National Trust. A dedicated team look after this precious wetland of international importance, working with herds of free-roaming horses and cattle, weathering the elements to cope creatively with the dramas of a life outdoors at the cutting edge of conservation.

Wetland Diaries is a seasonal account of ranger life on Wicken Fen, restoring a once widespread landscape and the spectrum of emotions experienced. Ajay shares the spirit and atmosphere of the Fens, offering an insight into the privileges and pressures of managing semi-wild animals in one of the country’s first wetland restoration projects, creating precious breathing space for nature and people alike.

Ajay Tegala shares his passion for the natural world through his work as a wildlife presenter. His television credits include BBC Springwatch and Inside the Bat Cave. As a countryside ranger, Ajay is grounded in the world of conservation. At the age of fifteen, he decided to become a conservationist after a week volunteering with the National Trust in his native East Anglian Fens. He has worked in nature conservation for over a decade, first on Blakeney Point, North Norfolk and then on Wicken Fen. Ajay is passionate about protecting wildlife and engaging people with nature.

“A wonderfully evocative account of life as a ranger on one of Britain’s oldest and best-loved nature reserves, packed with delightful stories of the people and wildlife, and written by one of our brightest young naturalists.”
– Stephen Moss, naturalist, bestselling author, TV producer.

“A hugely enjoyable behind the scenes look at the reality of a life given over to the restoration of nature. Ajay’s vivid portrayal of his work at Wicken Fen is written with great honesty and humility, bringing one of the UK’s most treasured nature reserves to life in all its tangled, waterlogged glory.”
– Lee Schofield, conservationist, author of Wild Fell.

Ajay will be in conversation with Francis Pryor.

Francis was one of the key consultants on Time Team, and the resident Bronze Age and Iron Age expert. He is also famed for the discovery of Flag Fen, a 3500-year-old Bronze Age site near Peterborough. He has written many books including The Fens and his latest publication is, A Fenland Garden, published last year. Francis was awarded an MBE in 1999 for services to tourism.

Tickets are also available at Oundle Bookshop (cash only).

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