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Daniel's Big Wild Walk

Daniel Stoker on his Big Wild Walk

On Sunday 22nd October, Daniel Stoker, a young fan of the Great Fen, joined in with The Wildlife Trust's national fundraising challenge, The Big Wild Walk!

This October, I took part in the Big Wild Walk challenge because Ramsey Heights nature reserve is a special place for me. At Ramsey Heights I have built dens, watched bats, made flat bread, cooked marshmallows on a camp fire, seen deer and heard owls. I wanted to raise money for more space for nature so that other people get the chance to do these things. I challenged myself to walk from my house in Sawtry to Ramsey Heights nature reserve during half term.

Boy in a blue jumper and coat stands in a green field smiling to camera

Daniel Stoker walking to the Great Fen

A boy in a blue jumper and coat stands next to the arches of a tall brick railway bridge. There is a large puddle and trees growing either side.

Daniel at the Five Arches Bridge

A boy in a blue jumper stands on a green bank next to a narrow river with ploughed fields behind. His hand is shielding his eyes as he looks into the distance.

Daniel walking to the Great Fen

A boy in a blue jumper and coat stands next to a giant stack of haybales

Daniel with hay bales

A boy in a blue jumper stands in a green field pointing to a tree line in the distance

Daniel Stoker on his Big Wild Walk

On Sunday I walked a total of 15.6 kilometers! On the way we visited three nature reserves: Five Arches Pits, Woodwalton Fen and Ramsey Heights. My favourite moment was when I spotted a heron and shouted "Heron!", then a pheasant flew out of a bush next to us because I'd surprised it! My favourite finds along the way were pleated inkcap mushrooms, a new species for me, and a small tortoiseshell butterfly. The best thing I heard was a mixed flock of blue tits, great tits. long-tailed tits and marsh tits, in Woodwalton Fen. 

So far, I've raised £135 for the Wildlife Trust! 

3 pleated inkcap mushrooms in grass

Pleated inkcap mushrooms - Caroline Stoker

Small tortoiseshell butterfly on nettles and grass

Small tortoiseshell butterfly - Caroline Stoker

The Great Fen team would all like to send Daniel a massive THANK YOU and WELL DONE! We are delighted that his time here has meant so much to him. It's wonderful to hear of a young person passionate about protecting wildlife and the environment. We hope his journey will inspire many others to get out into nature and see what treasures they can find too! 

If you'd like to boost Daniel's impressive fundraising efforts, you can add your support at The Wildlife Trusts: Daniel's Big Wild Walk 2023 (enthuse.com)

If you'd like to follow a similar route, you can download the Fen Edge Trail's Sawtry to Ramsey walk guide. 

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