http://www.foxglovecovert.org.uk/blog/ en foxglovelnr@btinternet.com Copyright 2012 2012-05-18T13:50:24+00:00 http://www.foxglovecovert.org.uk/blog/all-in-a-days-training/ http://www.foxglovecovert.org.uk/blog/all-in-a-days-training/#When:13:50:24Z Young soldiers from the Army Foundation College stumbled across this newly fledged Tawny Owl chick whilst out on a training exercise. Concerned for its welfare, they called to find out what to do. The owlet was in fine fettle and is pictured here on a 'man-made' ledge having been ringed and waiting for its parents to return. 2012-05-18T13:50:24+00:00 http://www.foxglovecovert.org.uk/blog/construction-works/ http://www.foxglovecovert.org.uk/blog/construction-works/#When:11:16:23Z The recent high rainfall had washed out the dams on Risedale beck that feed some of Foxglove's ponds. Finally, the water level in the beck was low enough for repair work to take place. Yesterday Tony and Mike re-lived their childhood and re-built the dams by moving stones to create a new barrier! In no time at all the work was complete and the inflow pipes had a good supply of water once more. It seems that it wasn't just volunteers who had been busy constructing with stones. Whilst working in the stream at least three different species of caddis fly larva were discovered on the underside of rocks. You can see two kinds in the picture below. The small domes of stones appear to be cased caddis from the family Glossosomatidae and are widespread and abundant. Other homes were found later in the day, this mouse nest was underneath one of the reptile refuges in an untouched area of the reserve, no snakes yet then! 2012-05-18T11:16:23+00:00 http://www.foxglovecovert.org.uk/blog/eggs-and-chicks/ http://www.foxglovecovert.org.uk/blog/eggs-and-chicks/#When:15:38:41Z The 100 nest boxes have all been checked and the results are very interesting. Whilst some contain eggs as is to be expected at this time of year... Some already have chicks inside! 2012-05-16T15:38:41+00:00 http://www.foxglovecovert.org.uk/blog/strimmers-students-speedwell-and-stroopwafel/ http://www.foxglovecovert.org.uk/blog/strimmers-students-speedwell-and-stroopwafel/#When:20:00:23Z At last, a lull in the rain meant that the strimmers could be used to tidy around pathways and net rides. Ken and Eddy worked hard all day to get on top of this huge task. The main task for the morning was continuing the edging along a path in the woodland. As you can see volunteers were thin on the ground here (butterfly transects, flower identification and wildlife filming as well as strimming all taking place too) but Jack perservered and worked hard all day to break the back of the job. Wise old Gem the Border Terrier was happy to supervise! Here is Jack cutting some pegs to hold the logs in place. Students from the Dales School joined in before lunch and hammered some of the pegs into place. They also felled small sycamore trees and gathered suitable logs. Several owl pellets were found adjacent to the path (possibly from the eco club Tawny Owl in the nearby box). By the end of the day the path was looking very inviting, it will be finished later in the week and maybe next year the winter forestry work to remove damaged sycamores may provide a layer of woodchippings to complete the look! Back at the Field Centre, the debate about Slender Speedwell continued! Bluebells are dotted about the whole reserve but those on the Bluebell bank at the top of the woodland are just beginning to flower. The area is packed with them and will no doubt be a fantastic display over the next week or two. The Early Purple Orchids are out already and the strimming of brambles at the end of last year seems to have paid off there too. Oh and the Stroopwafels? Well it is Hilde's birthday and she shared some delicious dutch syrup waffles, HAPPY BIRTHDAY Hilde! 2012-05-15T20:00:23+00:00 http://www.foxglovecovert.org.uk/blog/cold-weather-continues/ http://www.foxglovecovert.org.uk/blog/cold-weather-continues/#When:18:38:52Z Sun, blue sky, white clouds, dark clouds, rain and wind all in one day!  Due to this cold weather the insects are inactive and many who should be out and about during this month are not to be seen.  One bumble bee was seen today and one yesterday. Our hive bees are being fed with sugar syrup regularly. Large Red Damselflies should be hunting across the ponds, only two sightings have been recorded this month, including the one below who was hiding in a Gorse bush.  Note that the wings are held parallel to the body. Wood Anemone has been in flower for some time but they are now setting seed. Whilst the Crab Apple flowers are bursting their buds.   2012-05-14T18:38:52+00:00 http://www.foxglovecovert.org.uk/blog/windy-again/ http://www.foxglovecovert.org.uk/blog/windy-again/#When:17:53:53Z The weather forecasts in the middle of the week were all giving different information - but most did suggest that today was going to be windy and they were right.  Consequently there was no ringing.  However the bird ringers were out checking nest boxes, as they have been most of this week. It was sunny but cold, as Sue, Les and Tom were taken to areas of the reserve where there were mosses, lichens and liverworts.  These areas included the fens, moor, willow carr and woodland.  Also investigated were the old willows and Ash trees.  Stops along the way were needed for discussion and identification. In all, over 72 species of moss and liverworts were identified, with some small pieces being taken for final confirmation of species.  Several of these were new.  We look forward to receiving a list of all the species from Tom.  Lichens were also identified and again some of these were new species.  This Dog Lichen as yet  has no species name. Thank you very much to Sue, Les and Tom who spent the day walking around the reserve and giving us valuable and interesting information and identifications. Marsh Marigold is not a flower we see often on the reserve, so it was with great pleasure that quite a large clump was found growing in a wet area of the moor.    By late morning the sun had disappeared and this beautiful cloud formation was covering the sky - it just  looked like bubble-wrap!   2012-05-13T17:53:53+00:00 http://www.foxglovecovert.org.uk/blog/come-rain-or-shine/ http://www.foxglovecovert.org.uk/blog/come-rain-or-shine/#When:14:59:53Z Kitted out in waterproofs and wellies 16 pupils from Yarm Prep School visited the reserve today.  The bad weather meant pond dipping and the minibeast safari we had planned were not possible, instead we took a walk around the reserve looking at the life cycles of the animals and plants we found.  Smooth Newts, Kestrel and Heron were spotted by some of the children. The weather soon cleared up after the school left, Brian and Elizabeth took advantage of this and went out 'rooting'.  Many of the insects that were hidden away, sheltering from the rain this morning were out enjoying the sun.  This female stonefly was among their findings. These insects remain in the nymphal form for one to four years, depending on species, and undergo anything from 12 to 33 moults before emerging and becoming terrestrial adults such as this one. 2012-05-11T14:59:53+00:00 http://www.foxglovecovert.org.uk/blog/rain-again/ http://www.foxglovecovert.org.uk/blog/rain-again/#When:18:48:03Z Lawn cutting and dam repairing were two jobs on the list today.  This is the dam that was to be repaired! When the rain eased the trees, plants and flowers were covered in glistening water droplets. Yesterday the St Mark's flies were to be seen on the wing over many parts of the reserve.  Today they were hiding under leaves and clinging tightly to stems and they too had their accompanying water droplets! 2012-05-10T18:48:03+00:00 http://www.foxglovecovert.org.uk/blog/tawny-owl-chicks2/ http://www.foxglovecovert.org.uk/blog/tawny-owl-chicks2/#When:15:49:45Z The ringing team has been very busy over the last few weeks checking the owl boxes around the reserve and wider training area. Some have already fledged and some are still inside eggs! This one was very sleepy but is healthy and well fed. 2012-05-09T15:49:45+00:00 http://www.foxglovecovert.org.uk/blog/inside-out/ http://www.foxglovecovert.org.uk/blog/inside-out/#When:15:19:34Z Kevin Horspool had a pleasant surprise this morning as he sat in the wetland hide. Two Redstart flew in through an open window and had a fight! Here is one of them on the inside of the hide, looking out! Kevin helped the birds by releasing them back outside. Thank you for the photo Kevin. Thanks to Wendy for this photo taken at the Black Grouse Lek on Monday morning too. Volunteers have been hard at work today pruning back net rides, painting benches, clearing pond inflows and repairing footpaths. Only two Speckled Wood were seen on the butterfly transect although Orange-Tip and Green Veined White also put in appearances at other times during the day. 2012-05-08T15:19:34+00:00