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 1st March and 31st 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.