Cricklade North Meadow Snakes Head Fritillary Watch

The snake's head fritillaries are usually at their best during the last two weeks of April to see how the meadow looked in 2006 and read the 2007 Warden's report for the next few days. Click here

The North Meadow is an old hay meadow which is now a National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It is famous for having the largest UK population of rare Snakes Head Fritillaries which flower in the Spring and attract a large number of visitors. They are usually at their best during the second and third week of April. The meadow has been managed by the residents of Cricklade for hundreds of years through the Court Leet which still exists and has an active role in the management of the meadow today. The meadow is now owned by English Nature who arrange guided walks around the meadow at weekends when the Fritillaries are in flower.

	The meadow is common land used by the residents of Cricklade to graze livestock after the hay crop until 12 February. The picture shows horses grazing the meadow on a cold winter morning in November 2005.
	Fritillaries small but just visible on Tuesday 28th March 2006 Please do keep to the footpaths as they are very easily damaged!
	Fritillaries can just be seen now as approx 50 mm green spikes if you look carefully. Some are a little more developed as above. Picture taken 28th March 2006 Please do keep to the footpaths as they are very easily damaged!
	Marsh Marigolds just started to appear. Two clumps noticed on 28th March 2006
	River Thames south west corner of meadow in March 2006
	Willows on north west side of the meadow in March 2006 with reeds on the bank of the river Churn
	Recent heavy rain has caused the meadow to flood for the first time this year. This picture shows the flooding at the eastern entrance on 31st March 2006.
	The river Churn has burst it's banks and is now flowing into the meadow. Picture taken 31st March 2006.
	Snake's Head Fritillary (Fritillaria Meleagris) It usually flowers mid April
	Two forms of the Snake's Head Fritillary grow in the meadow of which red form is the most prolific
	Marsh Marigolds can be seen flowering in the meadow in the Spring.