A Trial Run

Saturday, April 21st 2018

At the beginning of May we start CES (Constant Effort Scheme). Today was a trial run to ensure that all the net poles were in the correct place, the guy ropes were where they should be and the nets could be raised easily. Once this was achieved attention turned to the elevator net. These are the nets that are used in Dividalen and the ringing teams who visited there last summer, were impressed with them, so one was purchased for Foxglove. You can see from the photograph that there are two nets, one on top of the other, on the poles.

Elevator Net

The nets are raised and lowered on pulleys.

Elevator net

Taking it down requires more people than the usual mist nets.

Taking the net sdown

Once everything was dismantled it was packed back into its carrying bag.

Packing up

As we move into spring the birds pair and begin breeding. Females begin to sit on eggs so the number of birds caught is reduced. There was a mixture of birds processed including a Great Tit ringed in a nest box in June 2013, at Primrose Gill, 13km from Foxglove. Other older birds included a Long-tailed Tit that was at least two years old and a Blue Tit that was coming up to four years old. Unusually for this time of year, Willow Warblers out numbered Chiffchaffs at least 3 : 1.

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped during the session. The next time we meet will be a dawn start, around 0600!

It was another sunny day and the flora is responding quickly, everything seems to be blooming all at once. Common Dog Violets are now to be found across the reserve.

Common Dog Violet

A splash of yellow through the Scrapes is Marsh Marigold.

Marsh Marigold

Tiny white specs show along path edges and hidden away in vegetation, but there is no mistaking Barren Strawberry.

Barren Strawberry

Wood Anemones can be seen in the deciduous wooded areas, only opening its petals when the sun shines.

Wood Anemone

Blackthorn always flowers first along Risedale Beck. From one or two flowers on Wednesday, the shrubs are now covered in white blossom.

Blackthorn

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Foxglove Covert Local Nature Reserve is now OPEN

Monday 4th November 2024 |

The security gate and it's safety features are to be working, so we're reopening to the public.

However the intercom and remote gate opening system is currently non-functional. Entry and exit to the reserve will therefore take place via key fobs which will be issued to visitors when they sign in at the Cambrai Lines front entrance. These fobs can be used to open the gate when entering and exiting the reserve. They must be returned to the front entrance pass office upon exiting the reserve.

Please note access will be limited by the number of fobs available. You may therefore be turned away at the pass office if all fobs are in use at that time. Please only collect one fob per visiting group and ensure you enter and exit the reserve together.

Please check the FAQs for further information on entrance procedures.

https://foxglovecovert.org.uk/about/frequently-asked-questions/