Cowslip Meadow SSSI
Site postcode: LU3 2JA
Google map link to Cowslip Meadow
Accessibility/terrain/walk info
- Mown paths connecting residential roads.
- Waterlogged land prevents a complete circular path currently.
Facilities and accessibility
- Park sensitively in adjacent residential
- Dogs allowed under supervision
- Cowslip Meadow is an SSSI and natural oasis where people can enjoy a wide variety of wildlife. It's the most important wetland habitat in Luton.
- Riddy Brook rises from springs on the meadow and this old pasture is a mosaic of ponds and pools. There are drier mounds and chalky banks with clumps of hawthorn and osier scattered along the stream. The site is also known as The Riddy, which gave its name to Riddy Lane.
Notable species on the site
- Watervole (arvicola terrestris): 12 to 22 cm (5 to 9 inches) long with a blunt nose and furry tail. Legally protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
- Grey heron (ardea cinerea): tall wading bird that lives on fish.
- Great crested newt (triturus cristatus): has blackish skin, which turns lighter with spots and blotches when breeding. Lives on insects and worms. Up to 16cm (6 inches) long. Legally protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
- Frog (rana temporaria): live on slugs, snails, insects and worms.
- Banded demoiselle damselfly (calopteryx splendens): large damselfly up to 4.8 cm (1.9 inches) long. The male has translucent wings with a dark iridescent blue/black spot. The body can be metallic blue or green.
- Azure damselfly (coenagrion puella): about 3.5 cm (1.3 inches) long, the male has a bright blue body, banded with black. The female is usually black, with pale greenish bands.
- Water boatmen (corixa punctata): can fly, but mostly live in water. They are about 1 cm (0.3 inch) long, and they have strong hind legs, like paddles, used like oars.