Month: April 2025

The snakes head fritillaries are now past their peak but still lots to see. The number of flowering fritillaries is less this year following the wet April/May conditions of the last 2 years. Many of the flowers have now been pollinated by bees, the most frequent visitors are the red tailed bumblee queens.

Look out for the Cuckoo flowers. The meadow is now covered in a white haze tinged with pink from the unusually large coverage of Cuckoo flowers   (Cardamine pratensis) also known as Lady’s smock. The yellow Marsh Marigolds (Caltha palustris) are clearly visible in the drainage ditches.

Listen for the sound of the Skylark’s as they perform their mating displays and territorial song. The nesting season is long and between April and late July, pairs will build three or even four different nests in attempts to raise several broods. Skylarks are unable to sustain populations without three or so breeding attempts.

If you want to find out more about the meadow you can listen to the audio trail see the QR code marker post left. There is a map of the trail in the main meadow entrance.  If you enter at a different point just use your mobile phone to read any of the QR codes so you can listen to a meadow guide talking about the meadow flora, fauna, history and farming.

When you visit please stay on the marked paths and keep your dog on a short lead to avoid damaging this internationally important wildlife site and disturbing the ground nesting birds.

Many are unaware, but the law says that you must keep your dog on a lead no longer than 2 metres between 1^st March and 31^st July, when on any open access land to protect ground-nesting birds.

Enjoy your visit and perhaps call in for a cup of tea at the Fritillary Tea Room run by Cricklade Bloomers at the end of Cricklade High Street.

The warm weather has brought many more snakes head fritillaries (Fritillaria meleagris) into flower. We are not at peak flowering which will occur over the next few days. Numbers are down on the best years but considering the very wet conditions in March/April of the last two years the fritillaries have recovered very well.

This weekend will be a good time to visit and if you do, bring your binoculars if you have some. They give a good view of the fritillaries across the meadow.

When you arrive have a look at the information board at the entrance (see above) which gives an overview of the meadow biodiversity and management.

If you want to find out more about the meadow you can listen to the audio trail, see the QR code marker post on the left. There is a map of the trail on the information board.  If you enter at a different point just use your mobile phone to read any of the QR codes so you can listen to a meadow guide talking about the meadow flora, fauna, history and farming.

The Cuckooflower (Cardamine pratensis) also commonly known as Lady’s smock are now flowering across the meadow.  North meadow has 8% white fritillaries the rest being purple. Waterhay meadow towards Ashton Keynes has almost all white fritillaries and very few purple. No one seems to know why and both colours are regarded as the same species.

When you visit please stay on the marked paths and keep your dog on a short lead to avoid damaging this internationally important wildlife site and disturbing the ground nesting birds.

Many are unaware, but the law says that you must keep your dog on a lead no longer than 2 metres between 1^st March and 31^st July, when on any open access land to protect ground-nesting birds.

Check back here for the latest update on when the fritillaries will reach peak flowering.

The warm weather has brought more fritillaries into flower. The meadow is now looking very dry and in need of a little rain. The flowering peak is probably about two weeks away but if you want to come this weekend there are lots of fritillaries to see.

Look out for Marsh Marigolds (Caltha palustris) in the drainage ditches. There are small numbers of Cuckooflower (Cardamine pratensis) also commonly known as Lady’s smock scattered through the meadow. If you venture to the top of the meadow there is a good display of Cowslips (Primula veris).

Skylark’s have started nesting in the short grass listen for their mating displays and territorial song. The nesting season is long and between April and late July, pairs will build three or even four different nests in attempts to raise several broods. Skylarks are unable to sustain populations without three or so breeding attempts.

If you want to find out more about the meadow you can listen to the audio trail see the QR code marker post above. There is a map of the trail in the main meadow entrance.  If you enter at a different point just use your mobile phone to read any of the QR codes so you can listen to a meadow guide talking about the meadow flora, fauna, history and farming.

When you visit please stay on the marked paths and keep your dog on a short lead to avoid damaging this internationally important wildlife site and disturbing the ground nesting birds.

Many are unaware, but the law says that you must keep your dog on a lead no longer than 2 metres between 1^st March and 31^st July, when on any open access land to protect ground-nesting birds.

Check back here for the latest update on when the fritillaries will reach peak flowering.

Just returned from the meadow. The fritillaries have started flowering but in small numbers most are not yet in flower. The white flowers stand out well at present and they can be seen from  the path on the right hand side as you enter from the main gate.

The skylarks can be heard singing as they pair up and build their nests in the grass. Bring your binoculars if you have them as they give a great view of the fritillaries.

Ground conditions are good after the dry weather in March. When you visit please stay on the marked paths and keep your dog on a short lead to avoid damaging this internationally important wildlife site and disturbing the ground nesting birds.

Many are unaware, but the law says that you must keep your dog on a lead no longer than 2 metres between 1^st March and 31^st July, when on any open access land to protect ground-nesting birds.

To see the fritillaries at their best, plan your visit for mid-April and check back here for the latest update on when the fritillaries will reach peak flowering.