North Meadow National Nature Reserve is a lowland hay meadow (Alopecurus pratensis, Sanguisorba officinalis) and is considered to be one of the best areas of this type of habitat in the United Kingdom. Some 98% of this habitat has been lost to agricultural improvement since the end of the second world war and less than 1500 hectares remain today.
It is still traditionally managed and has a rich diversity of flora and fauna which is summarised in this section.
Local sightings of flora and fauna are posted under Species Records , the most recent of which are shown below.
Recent Sightings on North Meadow
Great White Egret
By John Barratt (Hayward)
/ 11th March 2021
Great White Egret feeding on soft mud now that flood water has receded. Little White Egrets and Black Headed Gulls...
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Grey Wagtail
By John Barratt (Hayward)
/ 5th February 2021
Grey Wagtail seen on Frogsham Meadow in the Willows close to the Causeway road.
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Clouded Yellow Butterfly
By John Barratt (Hayward)
/ 3rd October 2020
Delighted to see the bright yellow/orange of a Clouded Yellow Butterfly fluttering around me as I removed some barbed wire...
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Little Egrets
By John Barratt (Hayward)
/ 8th February 2020
16 Little Egrets on North Meadow today
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Common Darter Dragonfly
By John Barratt (Hayward)
/ 9th August 2019
This male Common Darter Dragonfly was seen flying over the River Thames at the top of North Meadow, occasionally resting...
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Scarlet Tiger Moth
By John Barratt (Hayward)
/ 3rd July 2019
I disturbed this brightly coloured day flying moth in several locations on my walk this morning. (more…)
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Large Skipper
By John Barratt (Hayward)
/ 3rd July 2019
Saw several Large Skipper butterflies on Friday. The slight chequered pattern on the wings and the prominent dark line (sex...
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Fritillaria meleagris
By John Barratt (Hayward)
/ 27th April 2019
The Snakes Head Fritillaries are now in full bloom for the 2019 season.
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Goat Willow
By John Barratt (Hayward)
/ 12th April 2019
Noticed this Goat Willow next to the River Thames last week on the first of our monthly “Bee Walks”. It...
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