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|  » Stats |
Members: 50,187
Threads: 82,434
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Top Poster: glsammy (15,069)
| | Welcome to our newest member, Della | |  | | 
18-04-2010, 09:47 PM
|  | Wild Member | | Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 156
| | | Great bloom of Snakeshead Fritillaries at North Meadow :)
Have just been up to North Meadow in Cricklade, Wiltshire and seen the most fantastic display of fritillaries today... amazing! I know these can be seen in other places and in gardens but the sheer numbers at Cricklade are what makes its so awe inspiring! If you're in the area I'd pay them a visit - locals are saying it's the best show for years  Apparently they like cold winters so the last one has obviously done them good...
I did see some at work - there are some growing in the groubds where I work work (north Bristol/ Frenchay area) which I would imagine are a naturalised population. Better to see them in the wild though Does anyone know if a population likely to be naturalised has the same legal protection considering they are naturally scarce?
The pics don't do them justice but here are some (including a double headed specimen) :      |
18-04-2010, 10:12 PM
|  | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: May 2006 Location: Norwich and Oxford!
Posts: 743
| | | Re: Great bloom of Snakeshead Fritillaries at North Meadow :)
Ah good! I thought they would be out about now. Will be going to see these plants in the Oxford reserve on WEdnesday evening (weather permitting of course!) I agree that it is very impressive to see the 'wild ones' in great numbers. I didnt know that cold winters influenced them, will compare and contrast with my pics of last year!
Yes the Bristol ones are just naturalised and I doubt they would have any legal protection. They are native to the Thames area and I think Oxfordshire in particular. |
19-04-2010, 05:07 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,089
| | | Re: Great bloom of Snakeshead Fritillaries at North Meadow :)
beautiful! I've never been up to North meadow but I think it holds about 70% of the wild british population!
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Leif |
19-04-2010, 11:09 PM
| | Wild Member | | Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 156
| | | Re: Great bloom of Snakeshead Fritillaries at North Meadow :)
I'd advise going Leif - I was blown away by the beauty of the meadow! Next weekend there are some experts there to talk about the meadow and it's history. |
20-04-2010, 09:57 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Gloucester
Posts: 1,736
| | | Re: Great bloom of Snakeshead Fritillaries at North Meadow :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by leifus  beautiful! I've never been up to North meadow but I think it holds about 70% of the wild british population! | 80% according to Natural England's literature!
Went there today - the best display for years in my view! Also visited another Fritillary site not too far away where, unlike North Meadow, there are very few white flowers - I reckon we saw about 6 in the whole field of purple ones mixed with loads of Cowslips. North Meadow hasn't got the Cowslips but had a lot of white fritillaries amongst the purple. Definitely worth a visit this weekend if you can make it. 
To finish off the day we went to see the Pasqueflowers which was a first for us. Not all that many in flower - looks like the wet and cold and the snow might have had an adverse effect on them this year as there are, apparently, usually more at that site.
I now have almost 150 photos of Fritillaries and Pasqueflowers to sort out  - but I won't be keeping them all as many are out of focus as it was a tad breezy... 
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But as long as I can see the morning
And blossom comes to bud again in spring.... |
21-04-2010, 07:19 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,089
| | | Re: Great bloom of Snakeshead Fritillaries at North Meadow :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by solus 80% according to Natural England's literature!
I now have almost 150 photos of Fritillaries and Pasqueflowers to sort out - but I won't be keeping them all as many are out of focus as it was a tad breezy... | i knew it was something like that....
ahh I've got up to 200 of one orchid before 
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Leif |
22-04-2010, 09:23 AM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Gloucester
Posts: 1,736
| | | Re: Great bloom of Snakeshead Fritillaries at North Meadow :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by leifus | Couldn't do that pre-digital eh?!  (Unless of course you were VERY rich! )
__________________
But as long as I can see the morning
And blossom comes to bud again in spring.... |
22-04-2010, 11:21 AM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Watford, Hertfordshire.
Posts: 4,869
| | | Re: Great bloom of Snakeshead Fritillaries at North Meadow :)
I'll probably be there this weekend.
Pity their web site doesn't give a grid reference for the place - it's makes finding the place much easier.
After a bit of digging, Get-A-Map shows the entrance at SU 099 944. Now, how hard would that have been for it to have been put in the 'Location' link!
Jim |
22-04-2010, 10:11 PM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: May 2006 Location: Norwich and Oxford!
Posts: 743
| | | Re: Great bloom of Snakeshead Fritillaries at North Meadow :)
I went to the Fritillary meadow on the outskirts of Oxford last night. Found a lot more there this year than last but I think numbers are down compared to a few years ago. The site flooeded for quite a while in the summer months and I heard that this badly affected numbers.
The site also holds a population of adders tongue fern. Only the second time I have found this plant! I didnt see it there last year but there are loads this! |
24-04-2010, 02:36 PM
|  | Wild Member | | Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: London
Posts: 204
| | | Re: Great bloom of Snakeshead Fritillaries at North Meadow :)
I heard you were talking about me 
I live in berkshire and I have not seen any here. I will keep my eyes open. | | | |
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