Conigre Mead Nature Reserve
One of the Trusts smaller Reserves, Conigre Mead is a grassy meadow on the banks of the Bristol Avon in the heart of Melksham. A wide range of birds, insects and mammals thrive amid ponds, wildflower-rich grassland, shrubs and a magnificent ancient willow tree. With trails around the meadow, a pond-dipping platform and seat overlooking the river, this is a lovely place in which to spend an hour or two in spring and summer.
Wildlife
In spring and summer the meadow is a pink-and-white patchwork of Ragged Robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi), Cuckoo Flower (Cardamine pratensis) and Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare). These wildflowers attract butterflies such as the Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines) and the lemon-yellow-coloured Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni). Over the pond, fringed with golden Marsh Marigolds (Caltha palustris) and Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus), you might see the blue flash of a Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis).
In the grass is a network of ‘runs’ and tunnels along which Wood Mice (Apodemus sylvaticus), Bank Voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) and the Common shrew (Sorex araneus) travel. The rare and secretive Water Shrew (Neomys fodiens) has been found here. It has to eat its own body weight daily in snails, water shrimps, worms and spiders.
Also look out for ducks, Grass Snake (Natrix natrix) , Grey Herons (Ardea cinerea), dragonflies and damselflies.
Conigre Mead is an important haven for bats – three species have been recorded here. The Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus), weighing as little as a two pence piece it can eat over 5,000 biting midges in a night! The slightly larger Daubenton’s (Myotis daubentonii), or water bat, can often be seen in the moonlight, flying low over the river, trapping insects as they emerge.
Other aerial performers in summer are dragonflies and damselflies, including the spectacular Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator), Red-eyed Damselfly (Erythromma najas) and the Common Blue damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum).
The River Avon is a feeding ground for the Otter (Lutra lutra), which in 2000 made a welcome return, having vanished from Wiltshire’s rivers in the 1970s because of pesticide pollution.
History and management
Conigre Mead was bought by local people and given to the Trust as a Nature Reserve for people of all ages to enjoy. The Reserve is cared for by an active group of volunteers, improving the variety of habitats for wildlife and people to enjoy.
Other information
Dogs are allowed, but must be on a short leash at all times of year.
Best time to visit: Spring and summer
Habitat: Pond, wetland. Wildflower meadow
Specialities of the reserve: Kingfisher, Grass Snake, Pipistrelle bat and Daubenton’s bat
Location: From Melksham town centre take the Riverside Walk, which runs between the river Avon and the Sainsbury’s supermarket car park. Path leads directly into nature reserve through kissing gates. Grid reference ST901637
