Alvecote Meadows

Reed Bunting

Reed Bunting by Andy Brough

Common Blue butterfly female

Female Common Blue ©Amy Lewis

Alvecote Meadows

Wetland and meadows within the floodplain of the River Anker with a wide range of butterflies and dragonflies

Location

On Robeys Lane and Shuttington Road, near Alvecote village (3km north-east of Tamworth)
Tamworth
Warwickshire
B79 0ED

OS Map Reference

SK 245 048
A static map of Alvecote Meadows

Know before you go

Size
11 hectares
P

Parking information

On the roadside off Alvecote Lane

Grazing animals

Cattle almost all year-round

Access

Flat, but no wheelchair access as there are stiles to cross; soft patches; floods in winter.

Dogs

No dogs permitted

Assistance dogs only

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

May - Aug

About the reserve

Enjoy exploring two delightful meadows, swampland and a small stream.   

What's it like to visit?

These meadows form part of the largest SSSI in Warwickshire, Alvecote Pools. On your visit you can experience a variety of wetland habitats, including wet grassland, marsh, open water and reed swamp filled with with water mint, greater pond sedge and common flea-bane.  In summer watermint, water forget-me-not and marsh thistle will be in flower. 

What might you spot?

The different wetlands attract a large range of dragonflies and damselflies plus birds like snipe, pied wagtail, goldfinch and kestrel. Twenty-four species of butterfly have been seen here, including dingy skipper, small heath and wall brown and some nationally scarce beetles hide out in the marshy areas.   Ruddy darter dragonflies are a familiar sight darting by the stream that divides the two meadows, and even the occasional common hawker, a rarity in Warwickshire.   

Alvecote Meadow’s mature oak trees, ash and willow offer ideal spots for tawny owl, sparrow hawk and plenty of little finches. The grassland attracts snipe, lapwing and little egret.

Are you interested in spotting reptiles or amphibians? Grass snake, frogs, toads and newts are regular visitors to this reserve.

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As a member, your subscription will help look after local wildlife and our amazing nature reserves across Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull. You'll receive a range of benefits, including free entry to over 65 local nature reserves, with member only free car parks where available, and our Wild Warwickshire magazine three times a year.

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Contact us

Karl Curtis
Contact number: 024 7630 2912
Contact email: enquiries@wkwt.org.uk

Environmental designation

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

Location map