OXFORDSHIRE’S iconic wild flower, the snake’s-head fritillary, is more abundant than ever before on meadows in the heart of Oxford.

More than 76,400 plants were counted in this year’s survey on Iffley Meadows nature reserve – the highest total recorded since records began in 1981.

The annual survey of the delicate flowers, with their nodding bell-like purple or white petals, is carried out by wildlife trust volunteers who walk in a line, counting the flowers as they gently step inch by inch across the meadows beside the River Thames.

This year’s total of 76,443 is 83 per cent up on last year’s count of 41,662, and sets a new high standard over the previous highest count of 69,757 in 2002.

Debbie Lewis, reserves ecology manager at the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust, said she was delighted with the new record. She said: “When we took over the management of Iffley Meadows in 1983, only 500 of these beautiful flowers could be seen. To have more than 76,000 now is really superb – what a success story!”

Snake’s-head fritillaries are only found in traditional floodplain meadows, a rare type of meadow which used to be widespread, but is now nationally declining. The fritillary numbers have increased due to careful management and controlled grazing over the last 28 years.

Oxfordshire has several thriving snake’s-head fritillary populations along the River Thames floodplain. Iffley Meadows nature reserve is one of the best spots to see this iconic flower from mid-April. The flower meadows can be found easily from the River Thames towpath near Iffley Lock.