An Update on Spigot Mere

Wednesday, April 29th 2020

As a result of the three named storms earlier in the year, the inflow to the newest wetland was seriously eroded. A team of Environmental Engineers from Coxon Brothers has since repaired the flood damage by installing gabions.

A gabion (from Italian gabbione meaning 'big cage') is a cage, cylinder or box filled with rocks, concrete, or sometimes sand and soil for use in civil engineering, road building, military applications and landscaping.

In this case, boulders were used to fill the mesh 'cages', this will allow the water to flow through the boulders without washing them away.

These robust structures should stay in place for many years to come, no matter how much water flows down from the moor. Our sincere thanks to the Coxon Brothers for carrying out such an efficient and professional job! It has already been appreciated by many species such as Oystercatchers and Lapwing.

Black-headed Gulls, Greylag Geese and Mallard have all been observed on the new pool as well as Shelduck.

Pied Wagtails can almost always be seen on the banks of the mere, this small black and white bird is usually seen in towns and cities, dashing across lawns, roads and car parks but they are attracted to water too perhaps to feed on the insects.

Thank you to Mark Geering for sending in the wildlife photographs for today's blog.
 


(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


Reserve Access: Open, Field Centre Closure Tues 17th June

Wednesday 4th June 2025 |

Access is currently as normal and the reserve and field centre are open as usual.

 

The Field Centre will be closed on Tuesday 17th June for one day. The reserve is still open.

The Field Centre will resume normal opening hours on Wednesday 18th June.

Apologies for any inconvenience.



Dragonfly Walk

Sunday 20th July 2025 | 1pm-3pm

Spot dragonflies and damselflies on this guided walk led by dragonfly county recorder Keith Gittens. Enjoy a leisurley walk around the reserve’s ponds and pools, and learn all about the Odonata species found at Foxglove Covert.

Donate what you can.

Bookings close Friday 18th July.

Foxglove Covert is now taking bookings via Eventbrite.

Click Here to Book

Or visit foxglovecovertlnr.eventbrite.com



VIEW ALL EVENTS

Recent Blog Posts

Blog Archive