Bugs, Bugs and More Bugs!

Monday, June 10th 2019

Hipswell Primary School visited today.  They had a busy day hunting for minibeasts, pond dipping and then heading off to learn more about the habitats and the plants and animals that live in them.

Out on the moor, sweep netting caught many, many bugs of various sizes, shapes and colours.  Large and small spiders were caught, including this crab spider, so called because it moves just like a crab!

A lacewing was also caught and was released into the grass where a more natural photo could be taken.  Once viewed its brilliant eye is remarkable.  Lacewings look so delicate but this hides the fact that the adult and larvae are carnivores with large jaws.  

Talking of jaws, when pond dipping a Great Diving Beetle adult was caught along with several larvae. The adult is quite capable of flying from pond to pond.

This photo shows those very large jaws.  Obviously they are carnivores and will eat many of the tadpoles in the ponds, along with anything else that moves.  The Pond Snail was a little too large for it to tackle.

As the children walked back to the gate they saw the tadpoles all massed together. 


(1) Comments:

Year Six Hipswell Primary school responded on 14th Jun 2019 with...

Thank you, we had a great time at the nature reserve and we really enjoyed finding out about the animals!


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