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Beavers and (Shield) Bugs

Sunday, April 22nd 2012

The Beaver Scouts left Northallerton in a hailstone storm but arrived at a dry Foxglove Covert.  Due to the cold, wet weather they were warned that they may not see very much - how wrong we were!  On the habitat walk they saw Alderflies, Orange Tip Butterflies, 7 Spot and Kidney Spot Ladybirds, greenfly and shield bugs.  Bug hunting revealed the usual large number of slugs but centipede, millipede, woodlice, earthworms and Ground Beetles were all recorded.  In the ponds tadpoles and 3 Spined Sticklebacks were caught and a newt spotted.

Visitors enjoyed walking around without getting wet, seeing the spring flowers covering the reserve and listening to the bird songs.

Bird Cherry has been in leaf for some time and is being attacked by insects.  In the last few days the flower buds have burst and the white blossom is showing amongst the bright green leaves.

Bird Cherry Flower

The shield bugs are beginning to emerge from hibernation.  Identification appears to be very easy when the reference books are consulted but the photographs that we take somehow do not always look like those in the books!  So this is a shield bug on a Raspberry leaf.  Identification may follow!!

Shiled bug

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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.

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Upcoming Events

Meadow Mayhem

Saturday 4th July 2020 | 10.00am - 12 noon

Celebrate National Meadows Day!

Join us for a morning exploring the many wildflower meadows found at Foxglove. We will be learning how to ID wildflowers and grasses, as well as sweep netting for butterflies and insects and identifying them. This event is part of the Flowers of the Dales Festival

A minimum donation of £5 per person in advance to guarantee a place. Card payments can be taken by phone.

This event is free for Volunteers and Friends of the reserve.


Damsels and Dragons

Sunday 19th July 2020 | 1.00pm start

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a Dragonfly and a Damselfly? Can you tell the difference between the different species of blue damselfly? Would you like to learn more about theses fascinating animals that have been around since prehistoric times? Join Keith Gittens for a walk around the beautiful Foxglove ponds (some of which are usually out of bounds to visitors) and observe as many different species as you can. Last year, a new species for the reserve was discovered on this event!

Booking is essential as places are limited. There is a donation of £5 per person to be paid in advance in order to secure a place. Payments now can be made on the phone.

This event is free for Volunteers and Friends of the reserve.


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The Dragonflies of Strensall and Foxglove Covert
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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

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