Conigre Mead

Demoiselle

Demoiselle at Conigre Mead nature reserve, Wiltshire. Credit: Eleanor Dodson.

Previously a field of rough grass, volunteers have transformed it into a peaceful haven for nature.

Location

Melksham
Wiltshire
SN12 6UL

OS Map Reference

ST900637

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A static map of Conigre Mead

Know before you go

Size
1 hectare
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Entry fee

Free

Grazing animals

None

Walking trails

You can walk around the meadow, and sit overlooking the Bristol Avon.

Access

Easily accessible with good, level paths.

Dogs

On a lead

See our FAQ's for more information.

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Facilities

Accessible trails

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

Spring and summer. Nearby attractions include Wiltshire Museum (7 miles), a'Beckett's Vineyard (9 miles), Bath Abbey and Roman Baths (9 miles), Cherhill White Horse and Avebury (11 miles).

About the reserve

Conigre Mead was a field of rough grass until bought by local people who set about digging ponds, clearing scrub and planting trees and wildflowers. It was given to us as a nature reserve in 1989 and is now a lovely mix of ponds, wildflower-rich grassland and shrubs. Volunteers regularly come to clear scrub and maintain ponds for wildlife.

On sunny days, watch the courtship displays of common blue damselfly, banded demoiselles and the rare white legged damselfly. In spring and summer the meadow is a pink-and-white patchwork of ragged robin and ox-eye daisy. Keep an eye out for butterflies such as the orange tip and brimstone - one of the earliest to come out in spring. There are lots of interesting insects including crickets, grasshoppers and shieldbugs, too.

Over the pond, fringed with golden marsh marigolds and yellow iris, you might see the blue flash of a kingfisher. Migrating wading birds, such as the common sandpiper, stop off here and regular visitors include moorhens, mallards and mute swans.  You may spot a grass snake sunning itself, or water vole by the river. A hidden world of runs and tunnels in the grass are used by small rodents such as voles to get about unseen. The rare water shrew is found here too. Pipistrelle and Daubenton’s bats can be seen on summer nights – mainly along the river, which is also a feeding ground for otters.

Contact us

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
Contact number: 01380 725670

Environmental designation

County Wildlife Site
Local Nature Reserve (LNR)

Map of Conigre Mead

Map of Conigre Mead

Virtual tour

Volunteer

Volunteer, Aline Denton, cuts brambles and blackthorn as part of the farm's conservation management - Ross Hoddinott/2020VISION

Volunteer at Conigre Mead

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