Author: Anita Barratt (Waywarden)

Natural England re-opened North Meadow this morning after installing the path marker posts yesterday. The ground is still very soft and vulnerable to soil compaction damage so please keep to these marked paths.

The fritillaries are in flower and this year’s display will probably peak in the next week or so. Many of the flowering plants are a little distance from the paths so please resist the temptation to approach them. They look good through binoculars so bring them with you if you have some. There are many non-flowering vegetative plants which resemble blades of grass and are hard to see. They are easily damaged if you leave the marked paths.

North Meadow has an audio guide which provides lots of information about the site to make your visit more rewarding. It is accessed using QR codes using your mobile phone.

If you bring your dog, please keep it on the marked paths using a short lead. Dogs can also trample the fritillaries and as well as disturbing the many birds which are now nesting on or close to the ground in the meadow, reeds and hedgerows.

Look out for the cuckoo flowers which are among some of the fritillaries. There is a large patch of cow slips at the top of the meadow.  If arriving at the main entrance the best displays of fritillaries are on the right-hand side of the meadow on the blue route. Do look both sides of the path and the displays become more prolific towards the top of the meadow.

The Fritillary Tea Room will be open next weekend Sat 18th/Sun 19th April for light refreshments in aid of Cricklade Bloomers

The following weekend Sat 25th/Sun 26th April Cricklade Court Leet are holding a North Meadow Information Weekend in the Thames Hall located at the end of Cricklade High Street next to the River Thames bridge. This will be a good opportunity to find out about the fascinating wildlife which lives on North Meadow. You may be surprised to learn it has 2500 recorded species some as yet unidentified. You can see what we have found on our North Meadow Species database.  Hot and Cold drinks and homemade cakes will be available with proceeds supporting Cricklade Court Leet Charity.

Enjoy your visit to North Meadow!

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.

It will soon be fritillary season but it is too early to visit to see them. The fritillaries are just emerging and  are very difficult to see. To see the spectacular display of fritillary flowers the best time to visit is usually mid April.

Natural England have closed public access to North Meadow until 25th March to protect the reserve from compaction damage to the soil while  ground conditions are very soft.

Check back here for further updates on meadow conditions and the best time to see the fritillaries.

River levels are down to seasonal levels and Natural England lifted the temporary closure yesterday. The fritillary season is finished for this year and the hay crop is growing fast ready for the hay cut later this month.

Large numbers of birds around today including a red kite overhead. Skylarks, Reed Buntings, Curlew, Meadow Pipets, Stonechats, Lapwings and Yellowhammers all nest on or close to the ground. To avoid disturbing these birds please stay on the marked paths and keep your dog on a short lead.

Natural England have extended the closure of North Meadow until 16th June. The warmer weather and no rain in the last week has reduced river levels which are now lower than any time since February. Natural England are reviewing the meadow condition regularly and will re-open the meadow to the public as soon as possible.

Banded demoiselles, newly emerged common blue damselflies, brimstone and large white butterflies were visible from the entrance to North Meadow this morning.

Check back here for further updates on the condition of the meadow.

Update 27th May 2023

North Meadow is still closed to the public. River levels have dropped and the meadow is drying but still very muddy and prone to compaction damage. Natural England are continuing to check to the condition and hope to re-open the National Nature Reserve soon.

The rainfall this week (37mm) has raised the river levels again. The growing hay crop makes the meadow look green from a distance but much of the meadow has 100mm of water in the grass. The paths are impassable and drainage channels have deep water in places where they cross the paths,

The temporary closure is in force until 19th May and it is possible that this may now be extended as  concern is growing for the condition of this internationally important habitat.

Check back here for further updates on the condition of the meadow.

River levels  have dropped quickly this week and the meadow is now drying rapidly. Ground conditions are still very soft and the pathways are blocked in several locations by water in the drainage ditches. Natural England have not yet opened the meadow to the public to protect the meadow from compaction damage. The temporary closure from 14th April until 19th May is still in force see  closure notice and map showing the area of restriction.

The meadow is full of birds feeding on invertebrates in the soft mud. A Great White Egret was feeding on Frogsham meadow next to the road this morning.

The Snakes Head Fritillaries have now reached the end of their flowering season and with more rain forecast  in the next few days it is not going to be possible to see the spectacular display this year.  The hay has now stared to grow and will soon be full of wild flowers still a wonderful sight when the meadow re-opens.

It is possible Natural England will open North Meadow to the public before 19th May if conditions allow. Check back here for further updates on the condition of the meadow.

River levels  are now dropping but 3 mm of rain this week and more expected today is not helping. The cold overcast weather is slowing the drying process, we need more sun. Although the meadow now looks green the long grass is hiding 50 to 100mm of water over most of the meadow and all of the paths.

The fritillaries are flowering in these difficult conditions see adjacent picture taken by Natural England’s Reserve Manager when assessing the need for continued closure.

Natural England have temporarily closed North Meadow from 14th April until 19th May and have issued a closure notice and map showing the area of restriction.

It’s disappointing for those of us who would like to see the fritillaries but the soft mud is providing much needed food for lots of birds. Several Little Egrets, a pair of Red Crested Pochards and lots of Black Headed Gulls were feeding on Frogsham Meadow next to the causeway road today.

It is possible Natural England will open North Meadow to the public before 19th May if conditions allow. Check back here for further updates on the condition of the meadow.