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.
15 October 2026
Overcast with sunny periods, 16°-18°C, wind S 2-5. Rainfall since last count = 2.0mm.
BIRDS: Total species count = 30 species. Another low count as we await the arrival of winter visitors. The main pool is only filling very slowly and no invertebrates are present since the excavation work. Mallards seen on the pools and channels connected to the recently cleared settling pit. The one Mute Swan was on the river, otherwise no water birds. A Mute Swan was reported having flown into an overhead wire near Wyre Mill and been killed. It is suspected the part wing found on the scrape originated from this unfortunate bird. Good raptor records comprising; Red Kite, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. A Pied Wagtail flew over and Grey Wagail had been recorded during the week. The Water Rails of last week were not detected today so presumably have moved on. Chiffchaffs and Long-tailed Tits were present in good numbers. Ravens and Great Spotted Woodpecker were a little unusual.
13 Oct 26: A Merlin flew over, the first since 2022 and a new early record.
Earlier recent sightings are available here.
Annotated Bird List
Below is a selection of some of the species recorded at Avon Meadows over the years. For comprehensive details of all bird species recorded, download the full Annotated Checklist.
Filter by status
30 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.
Bobs along riverside margins in spring and autumn.
Dark above, white below; flushes with a loud call from ditch edges.
Occasional spring and autumn visitor; dramatic plunge-dives for fish.
Large, buoyant raptor quartering over reedbeds during migration.