Flowers at Last!

Thursday, April 7th 2022

At long last we are now finding flowers around the reserve.  For several weeks the only flowers on the Observation Board were Gorse, Hazel and Daisy.   There is a lot of Blackthorn growing around the reserve, but it does not all flower at the same time.  The first flowers to break their buds are in shrubs along Risedale Beck.  One or two flowers

are soon follwed by many more, making the path look like it is covered in a white tunnel.

Dandelions are classed as weeds and are not easy to remove from a lawn, however at Foxglove we leave them, as they are an excellent source of food for many insects, once it warms up and the sun shines!

Marsh Marigold does not grow in profusion around the reserve but its bright yellow flowers are a welcome sign of spring in the Scrapes and a little later at Voley pond.

Keeping your eyes down looking for flowers or even more hopefully an insect or three you can miss something a little unusual.  This Moorhen was really struggling, trying to balance on the thin branches in a very strong wind!

We are more used to seeing them at the lake.  It is not often that you can catch Mallard, Little Grebe and Moorhen together.

It is the beginning of the school season.  Spennithorne Church of England Primary School visited on Monday and Wednesday, although cold they did pond dip and managed to collect some fish, beetle larvae and damselfly larvae.  Before they arrived staff and volunteers filled the sinks with water ready for the catch.  Staff and volunteers have worked hard over the winter to ensure that the water flow through the Scrapes is not only flowing but doing so in the right directions!   The immediate areas around the ponds have been strimmed, cut and raked and are now ready not only for schools but visitors too. 

A huge thanks to the volunteers who have been so busy.


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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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Access to the Reserve: OPEN with limited access

Monday 18th March 2024 |

The reserve is now open, although again with limited access.

Visitors will be able to access the reserve with the use of key fobs provided at the pass office upon entrance to the camp, or will be provided entrance and exit through the access gate by an officer from the camp Guard Room. In this case visitors will need a mobile phone to call the Guard Room when they wish to exit the reserve.

Please be aware that due to these circumstances, entering and leaving the reserve might take a little longer than usual.



Bird Watching for Beginners

Thursday 18th April 2024 | 10am-1pm

Improve your bird spotting and identification skills with this guided bird watching session. Learn how to identicy common species, differentiate between confusion species and how to get started learning bird calls. A great opportunity to ask questions and learn alongside others.

£3 per person. Free for volunteers and Friends of Foxglove and voluteers.

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