Our response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Situation More details

Foxglove Covert Local Nature Reserve
MENU

A Celebration of Insects

Saturday, June 25th 2016

The temperature rose and the sun came out just in time to celebrate Insect Week.  There are many insects in the varied habitats at Foxglove.  Some we know, some we can ID and some need the experts. 

Honeysuckle has just come into flower and is covered by tiny insects and bees.  This bee was really having to work to pull the lower petal down so that it could reach the nectar.

Honeysuckle, bee and insects

Marsh Cinquefoil is flowering in the wetland ponds and is loved by insects too.  This photo, totally out of focus, shows two bees trying to reach the same flower.

Two bees trying to get to same flower

Thistles provide a great food source for bees and butterflies.

Bee on thistle

As spring turns to summer so the butterflies on the wing also change and the skippers are just beginning to appear.  I think this is a Large Skipper Butterfly.  The hairs on its body were catching the sun and appear to be tipped with gold.

Possibly a Large Skipper Butterfly

Brimstone Butterflies fly, up, down, fast, sideways, behind you and in front of you leaving you and the camera trailing in their wake, so when one sits still it is amazing.

Brimstone Butterfly

Eco Club children investigated insects this morning and when pond dipping found a Great Diving Beetle. 

Great Diving Beetle

Damsels - damselflies are flying and can be spotted not just near the ponds but along Risedale Beck and on the moor.

Damselfly

Name unknown, this insect has the most beautiful eyes!

Beautiful eyed insect!

(0) Comments:

There are no comments for this blog post yet. Why not start the discussion? - use the form below:

Leave a Comment:

Please complete this field, it's required. Your email address will not be displayed but it's required.

Your email address will not be displayed but it's required.

Remember my personal information

Notify me of follow-up comments?

Back to Top

Help Support Foxglove

Friends of Foxglove

The Friends of Foxglove Covert is for those individuals, families and organisations who would like to support the reserve through an annual membership subscription. Friends receive a regular newsletter and invitations to attend our various activities and social events.

More Details

Upcoming Events

Minibeast Safari 2

Wednesday 12th August 2020 | Various time slots available

Come along and find out which minibeasts are living in some of the habitats at Foxglove. Book a minibeast session for your family bubble of up to six people. There will be a socially distanced brief to set you off and then you can use the equipment for the remainder of the session. You will be requested to use hand gel on arrival and the equipment will be cleaned between sessions. Please call the Reserve Managers on 07754 270980 to book your allocated slot. You are advised to arrive 15 minutes before your allocated time. A donation in advance (card payment by phone) of £5 per family bubble is required in order to secure your booking. 


Family Pond Dipping 3

Wednesday 19th August 2020 | 45 minute sessions on the hour

Come along and find out which animals are living in some of the Foxglove ponds. Book a pond dipping session for your family bubble of up to six people. There will be a socially distanced brief to set you off and then you can use the equipment for the remainder of the session. You will be requested to use hand gel on arrival and the net handles will be cleaned between sessions. Please call the Reserve Managers on 07754 270980 to book your allocated slot. You are advised to arrive 15 minutes before your allocated time. A donation in advance (card payment by phone) of £5 per family bubble is required in order to secure your booking.  There will be a socially distanced brief to set you off and then you can use the equipment for the remainder of the session. You will be requested to use hand gel on arrival and the net handles will be cleaned between sessions. Please call the Reserve Managers on 07754 270980 to book your allocated slot. You are advised to arrive 15 minutes before your allocated time. A donation in advance (card payment by phone) of £5 per family bubble is required in order to secure your booking. 


VIEW ALL EVENTS

Undergrowth Newsletter

The Dragonflies of Strensall and Foxglove Covert
{alt}

This book has been published with the aim of enabling people visiting these, immensely important Flagship Pond Sites in North Yorkshire, to identify the dragonflies and damselflies they encounter - by reference to a simple text and photographs. Credits - Yorkshire Dragonfly Group & Freshwater Habitats Trust

Read this Issue

View All The Newsletters

Recent Blog Posts

Blog Archive