Avon Meadows Community Wetlands and Local Nature Reserve is often simply known as Pershore Wetlands.
After the devastating floods in 2007, the community wetland was created to help reduce the impact of any future floods that come from too much surface water.
The project to create the wetlands was developed jointly by Pershore Town Council, Wychavon District Council and Worcestershire Wildlife Trust. Out of this partnership project the Friends of Avon Meadows were formed, a local community volunteer group who continue to support the management of Avon Meadows.
How to find Avon Meadows
Nestling on the bank of the River Avon, you can find the nature reserve only a 5 minute walk from the town centre, with one of the easiest access points being from King George's Field, just behind the Football Club.
Parking is often only available during spring and summer, because the car park forms part of the flooding scheme for Pershore, and is often under water in winter.
Criss-crossed by footpaths and boardwalks, Avon Meadows is a wonderful place to get away from it all, relax and reconnect with nature, without having to travel far from home.
What can you see?
The site has a mosaic of habitats – from hay meadows and willow copse to reed beds, open water and riverbanks, attracting a wide range of birds, bats, insects and mammals. You can walk all round the site and much of it is suitable for those with mobility problems.
If you’re lucky you might see kingfishers from the riverbank or Herons fishing. Listen out for the calls of the birds which nest here, from the noisy coots to the tiny warblers or visit the bird hide near to the reed beds, which provides an ideal spot for bird watching.
The reed beds aren't just great for wildlife, they perform an important function for the town too. The wetlands are fed by a pipe that takes surface water run off from nearby housing which, rather than racing straight into the river, flows slowly through the reedbeds and pools, filtering, cleaning and soaking up the water before it reaches the river.
The grassy fields are part of the natural floodplain of the river and often flood. In other places in Worcestershire these meadows are host to a beautiful array of summer flowers. Avon Meadows has lost many of its traditional wet meadow flowers, but with time and care, some are now re-appearing. A hay cut is taken in late summer and the site is then grazed for a few weeks a year, helping to remove coarse grasses and rushes from the fields and, where sheep or cattle trample the ground, providing bare patches for seeds to grow in.
The willows on the banks of the ditches and streams provide perches for the cuckoos which are regular visitors to the reed beds, looking out for reed warblers nests where they can lay their eggs. The tiny reed warblers then raise the large cuckoo chick instead of their own. Visit in early summer to hear their distinctive calls.
Who looks after the meadows?
Looking after the meadows is a real team effort. The work is guided by a management plan, telling us what to do and when, and that work is carried out by contractors and by volunteers from the Friends of Avon Meadows. Work parties are held throughout the year and new members are always welcome. Many hands make light work!
The volunteers also play an important role in surveying and collecting data about the many species who live here. That means we have excellent records of birds, butterflies, moths, meadow plants and much more.
Our welcome
Our vision is for as many people as possible to learn, explore and enjoy this amazing space .Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, bird watcher , walker or simply looking for a peaceful escape, we welcome you to this amazing place.
