Floating Fen
A Floating Fen
In the 1870s, the wetland here was known as “Randall’s Fly”—an anglicization of the Dutch word for marsh, “vlei”—and it was lush with unique peatland plants, many of which are now very hard to find in our region. When you walk the land today, you will notice the bog-like area known as the floating fen. Fens are richer in nutrients than bogs because they are fed by groundwater and rain. This particular fen is a floating mat of peat moss. The crown jewel of this special place, the floating fen reaches an astonishing eight acres in size and is home to beautiful sundews—carnivorous plants that sparkle in the sunlight—awe-inspiring colonies of blue flag iris, highbush blueberry, and mountain holly. Small blackgum trees dot the fen, and beautiful orchids are scattered throughout the forest.
The Floating Fen Preserve is located in a tension zone—it is the northernmost range of some species, and the southernmost range of others. As a result, it’s home to an exceptional array of rare peatland plants. Like the neighboring College Lodge Forest, the Floating Fen is situated directly in a migratory bird corridor. Birds as diverse as Veeries, Blackburnian Warblers, Canada Warblers, and Scarlet Tanagers may all descend on the forest to nest in the spring. This creates a vivid atmosphere for birding—and a truly unique opportunity for birders and hikers alike to experience this beautiful property
A Remarkable Place
The preserve's namesake fen was formed during the last Ice Age 10,000 years ago. When the glaciers retreated, they scored deep cuts in the earth that have filled in over millennia. The land has changed, but the forest remains a truly remarkable place teeming with wildlife. Its diverse habitats make it an ideal home to black bears, wood ducks, red-shouldered hawks, porcupines, fishers, and beavers—including one exceptionally large beaver dam.
The Floating Fen Preserve is an integral part of the WNY Wildway, the Land Conservancy’s plan to create an extensive series of protected lands that connect the vast forests of northern Pennsylvania to the Great Lakes and link up with the Eastern Wildway. Combined, the Floating Fen and College Lodge Forest total nearly 400 acres of contiguous land in a critical linkage area, making it a significant addition to the Western New York Wildway
The Floating Fen Preserve has 2 miles of relatively easy trails. Address: 7994 Chautauqua Rd. Brocton, NY 14716
