Wetland Diaries

'Ajay's passion for conservation and his encyclopaedic knowledge of Wicken Fen ooze out of every single page' - Iolo Williams Tucked away in the flat lands of rural East Anglia lies Wicken Fen, so 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 and 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, saving a once widespread landscape and revealing the spectrum of emotions experienced in the process. 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 TV presenter, and his credits include BBC Springwatch and the documentary Inside the Bat Cave . As a wildlife ranger, he is grounded in the world of conservation. At the age of fifteen, he decided to become a conservationist after a week's work experience with The National Trust. He studied Environmental Conservation and volunteered as an assistant warden on the Norfolk coast at Blakeney Point. After graduating, he became the full-time ranger on the Point, protecting shorebirds and seals.