Bird Ringing

Monday, August 28th 2023

The Swaledale Bird Ringers met at the gate for 0700. Jack, down on Salibury Plain, informed us that it was all over by then!! Sophie expained that the birds in the north sleep later!! Hayley had also been up early in Skagen.

Jack sent us a photo of a misty Salisbury Plain.

As the forecast suggested rain showers, and having experienced some of them over the last few days, only a couple of nets were raised so that if a downpour happened the nets were close and could be emptied quickly and furled. We were lucky and the rain stayed away until just before lunch. The newly ringed birds included Willow Warbler, Dunnock, Goldcrest, Blue and Great Tit.

The summer migrants will soon be heading south, but our local birds also are on the move. Coal Tits spend their summer breeding in the conifers on and off the reserve, but as autumn approaches they come back to our feeders.

Once the nets were taken in we started work on the net ride. Like all the vegetation it has grown really well over the last three or four years. The group worked at cutting and then dragging the brash into a neat pile.

It is certainly work in progress as there is much more to do and many other net rides to be looked at over the winter.

Thank you to everyone who carried out the ringing and work. Thanks also to the volunteers Peter and Brian, who have strimmed the net rides.

A reminder that there is a trail around the Red Route asking you to look, count and answer some questions (answers on the back of the card).

Also there is another Family Discovery Day on Wednesday. More details on the Events page.

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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

Access to the Reserve: OPEN with limited access

Friday 20th September 2024 |

We are glad to announce that Foxglove Covert is reopening to the general public on Monday 7th October 2024.

A partial fix of the Foxglove Covert access gate has ensured that the safety features (sensors, emergency stop buttons) are now functional. This will allow safe access through the gate.

Unfortunately, the intercom and remote opening system by which the Guardroom normally opens the gate for entry and exit to the reserve is still inoperable. We do not have a timeframe for when this will be repaired.

Entry and exit to the reserve will therefore take place via key fobs which will be issued in exchange for photo ID (driving licence/passport) 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 see below for organised events. Booking is essential, as attendees will be contacted with access arrangements ahead of the events.

If you are part of an organised group and would like to arrange a visit to the reserve, please contact reserve staff.

October Wildlife Wander

Thursday 10th October 2024 | 2pm-4pm

Join reserve staff for a guided walk around Foxglove Covert as the reserve begins to settle into autumn. Explore the reserve as tree leaves begin to change colour, migrating birds start to pass through, and fungi thrives throughout the reserve's grasslands and woodlands.

2pm-4pm.

Donation of £3 per person. Free for Friends of Foxglove. Booking essential.

Due to faults with the Foxglove Covert access gate, entry and exit will be coordinated and at set times. Booked attendees will be sent access arrangements via email prior to the event.

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