Wildlife at Avon Meadows
Avon Meadows supports an incredible diversity of wildlife. From birds and dragonflies, to spiders and deer, there are always remarkable creatures to discover throughout the year.
Recent Sightings
Our community of birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts regularly report their sightings. Check back often for the latest observations from the reserve.
13 August 2026
Sunny with scattered clouds, 19° to 24°C, wind calm. Rainfall since last count = Nil.
BIRDS: Total species count = 35 species. We made an early start this morning, just after sunrise, so as to avoid the heat of the day promised to be in the mid-30's. The only water on the meadows lies in two recently excavated ponds that have been taken below the water table. One of these is hidden from view and it was from there we heard a Green Sandpiper (last recorded on 5 June 2023) and saw a Kingfisher drop in. A small number of Mallard flew by and a Peregrine Falcon was heard. Not so many Blackcaps this week but Chiffchaffs were everywhere, and we heard 3 Willow Warblers. Summer visitor warblers are moving off, we only found 1 Sedge Warbler and 3 Reed Warblers today. Swallows and House Martins are still passing through. Both Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were heard and this week a couple of Jackdaws showed. Two Cetti's Warblers were recorded, one a young bird. Finally, two Ravens flew over.
BUTTERFLIES: A Small Copper appeared beside the demolished boardwalk.
DRAGONFLIES: Two Willow Emerald Damselflies were recorded, one behind the school and the other on Mill Lane. This species was first recorded on 22 Aug 2025.
SPIDERS: A new species of spider for Avon Meadows was discovered today in a small puddle in the main "pool" area, a Pirate Wolf Spider, our 16th spider species.
Annotated Bird List
Below is a comprehensive list of bird species recorded at Avon Meadows over the years, with notes on their status and seasonal occurrence.
Filter by status
32 species shown
Breeds on site; regularly seen hunting along the riverbank at dawn.
Year-round resident; electric blue flash along the stream corridor.
Nesting pair on the main lake; elaborate courtship display in spring.
Pair breeds annually; cygnets visible from May onwards.
Nests in the old riverside barn; best seen hunting at dusk over the meadows.
Heard more often than seen; explosive song from dense reedbeds.
Shy resident of the quieter backwaters; trilling call distinctive.
Common throughout; nests among emergent vegetation around all water bodies.
Abundant resident; aggressive territorial displays in early spring.
Now a regular resident after colonising in the early 2000s.
Male's black hood and white moustache visible in reedbed margins.
Arrives late April; nests woven around reed stems above the water.
First spring migrant; nests in sandy riverbank colonies nearby.
Energetic singer from low scrub and reedbed edges; arrives in April.
Visits to feed over the main lake; elegant plunge-diver.
Spectacular aerial hunter; pursues dragonflies and hirundines over the reserve.
Bright yellow male seen in the wet meadows; declining nationally.
Reeling song from rank vegetation at the reserve edge; elusive.
Large winter flocks on wet meadows; tumbling display flight spectacular.
Cryptic wader probing soft mud; best flushed from reedbed margins.
Flocks of up to 200 birds roost on the main lake in cold weather.
Distinctive whistling call; grazes on winter-flooded grassland.
Spoon-shaped bill filters water; small numbers on the lake each winter.
Scandinavian thrush; flocks feed on hawthorn berries in hedgerows.
Pig-like squealing call from reedbeds; secretive but occasionally glimpsed.
Smallest snipe; bobs rhythmically when flushed; easily overlooked.
Tiny wader pausing on exposed muddy margins in autumn.
Bobs along riverside margins in spring and autumn.
Dark above, white below; flushes with a loud call from ditch edges.
Britain's only summer-visiting duck; rare stop-off in spring.
Occasional spring and autumn visitor; dramatic plunge-dives for fish.
Large, buoyant raptor quartering over reedbeds during migration.