Trumpington Meadows trip

15th July 2026 - a group met at Trumpington Meadows early in the cool of the morning to walk around the lovely Wildlife Trust reserve there. Through the woods Treecreeper was heard, and by Byron's Pool a family of Moorhen was seen busily feeding recently fledged young and rebuilding their nest. Grey Wagtail also feed on the lilypads there, and Mute Swan were nest building on the opposite bank.

By the time we reached the meadows it was warming up, and several butterfly and moth species were flying through the rather dried-up grass and flowers, including Brown Argus and Common Blue, as well as Six-spot Burnet and Meadow Brown. Near the lake young Swallow and Swift were feeding, some of the Swallow resting briefly on a bench, and in the water a few Tufted Duck and Coot were seen.

The meadows on the return leg of the walk were the most productive, with both Clouded Yellow and Purple Hairstreak seen, as well as Small Blue, Small Copper and Small Heath along the path. Several Wasp Spider and Brown Hawker were also spotted around the trees, with many Gatekeeper and Brown Argus feeding on the wild oregano near the car park.  

Moorhen

Moorhen family

Juvenile Moorhen

Juvenile Moorhen

Moorhen nest-building

Moorhen on nest

Grey Wagtail

Brown Argus

Brown Argus

Common Blue

Six-spot Burnet moth

Six-spot Burnet moth

meadow flowers

Cranesbill

Meadow Brown, on Scabious

Bullrushes and lake

Swallow, resting on bench

Tufted Duck

group by lake

group by lake

lake

Mayfly

group

Knapweed

Group in action in the meadows

Small White, on Scabious

Purple Hairstreak

Purple Hairstreak

Small Blue

Small Blue

Wasp Spider

Wasp Spider, with characteristic web 'ribbon'

Small Heath

Small Copper

Small Copper

Hoverfly on Scabious

Knapweed, and dried meadows

Hoverfly spp

Gatekeeper

Gatekeeper

[all photos Andy M & Polly M]