Audrey's Meadow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Audrey's Meadow |
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Type | Nature reserve |
Location | Newbury , Berkshire |
OS grid | SU 486 659 |
Area | 2 hectares (4.9 acres) |
Managed by | Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust |
Audrey's Meadow is a special natural area in Newbury, Berkshire. It's about 2 hectares (or 5 acres) big. This lovely spot is a nature reserve, which means it's protected to help wildlife and plants thrive. West Berkshire Council owns the land, and the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust helps manage it. They work together to keep it a great place for nature.
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What is Audrey's Meadow?
Audrey's Meadow is a mix of different natural habitats. You can find open grassy areas, some of which are very natural. There are also wet woodlands with small ponds. This variety of habitats makes it a perfect home for many different kinds of plants and animals.
History of the Meadow
In 2011, this meadow became a public open space. This means people could visit and enjoy it. It was named after Mrs. Audrey Appleby, who was a local councilor. She helped make the area a public space. Later, in 2014, the land was officially given to the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust. They now take care of the meadow to protect its natural beauty.
Animals at Audrey's Meadow
Many different animals live in Audrey's Meadow. It's a great place to spot wildlife!
Amphibians
- The Common frog is one of the amphibians you might see hopping around, especially near the wet areas.
Invertebrates
Invertebrates are animals without backbones, like insects and spiders.
- You might spot dragonflies like the Aeshna grandis (Brown Hawker) and Anax imperator (Emperor Dragonfly) flying around the ponds.
- Many butterflies flutter here, including the Polyommatus icarus (Common Blue), Ochlodes sylvanus (Large Skipper), Maniola jurtina (Meadow Brown), Aphantopus hyperantus (Ringlet), and Argynnis paphia (Silver-washed Fritillary).
- Grasshoppers like Chorthippus parallelus (Meadow Grasshopper) and Metrioptera roeselii (Roesel's Bush-cricket) chirp in the grass.
- The Argiope bruennichi (Wasp Spider) is a unique spider with yellow and black stripes.
Birds
Audrey's Meadow is also home to several bird species.
- Small, active birds like the Parus caeruleus (Blue Tit) and Parus major (Great Tit) can be seen in the trees.
- The Poecile palustris (Marsh Tit) also enjoys the woodland areas.
- You might hear the beautiful song of the Turdus philomelos (Song Thrush).
Plants at Audrey's Meadow
The meadow is full of interesting plants and flowers.
- Lamiastrum galeobdolon (Yellow Archangel) is a common plant found in woodlands.
- Melica uniflora (Wood Melick) is a type of grass that grows here.
- In spring, you might see the delicate white flowers of Anemone nemorosa (Wood Anemone).
- Conopodium majus (Pignut) is a plant with small white flowers.
- Lathyrus pratensis (Meadow Vetchling) and Vicia sepium (Bush Vetch) are climbing plants with pretty flowers.
- Hyacinthoides non-scripta (Bluebell) adds a splash of blue to the meadow in spring.