June’s Flora and Fauna
Saturday, July 2nd 2016
A new month means a new folder for photographs, but also a time for reflection of those photographs taken last month. The weather is playing its part in helping or hindering flora and fauna. Apparently the Jet Stream needs to be pushed a little further north so we get warmer weather instead of the westerly air steam that is bringing wind and rain.
As soon as the rain stops and the sun comes out - how many times has that been said recently on the blog!? - insects do what they do best, feed, pollinate flowers or hunt for prey. These tiny insects were covering the Honeysuckle blossoms and the pollen grains transferred by them, from the stamens to the stigma, can clearly be seen.
Large Red Damselflies are predators and this one was enjoying a feast. I suspect that the legs would be left behind.
Another predator is the Daddy Long-Legs Spider or Cellar Spider, Pholcus phalangioides. It hangs around in its untidy web, often frequenting houses and particularly cellars, hence its name. Although spiders do have eight legs this one appeared to have many more and it was impossible to get legs and body in focus! This is a new species for the reserve.
Zig Zag Clover is the nicest of the clovers to photograph as it is slightly larger and a lovely bright reddish pink colour. After taking two photos I realised that there was something else close by. A skipper butterfly was resting on a leaf that was just the right size, no doubt waiting to warm up a little before setting off to feed.
Multi-petalled buttercups can be found but it is unusual to find Greater Spearwort with more petals than it should have.
Slender St John's Wort is usually found growing along the quad bike track across the heath, so it was a surprise to find it on the far moor. A close up shows the tiny black marks that edge the petals and buds.
(0) Comments:
There are no comments for this blog post yet. Why not start the discussion? - use the form below:
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 DetailsUpcoming 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.
Or visit foxglovecovertlnr.eventbrite.com
Undergrowth Newsletter
View All The Newsletters
Recent Blog Posts
- Marsh Cinquefoil at Foxglove Covert
- Willow Seeds Floating on the Wind
- Working in the Sun
- Flowers at Foxglove Covert
- Working in the Sun
- Winter Work
- Wonderful Woodcock!
- Listing Birds
- Ring Barking in the Conifer Plantation
- Creating a Woodmeadow
- Coppicing and Pollarding
- Wrinkled Club and Candlesnuff
- Wetland Work
- Does it Feel Like First Week of Autumn?
- Caught on Camera
- Behind the Barrier this July!
- Reserve Update
- Would You Like to be a Trustee?
- Damselfly Emergence - Exuviae Everywhere!
- Creating a New Path
- Bumblebee ID
- More Dead Hedging
- Dead Hedging
- Beautiful Bird Boxes!
- Completed Coppice
- Unconventional Scything
- Garden Birds
- Winter Fungi
- Winter highlights
- Happy 2024!
- Wonderful winter workers!
- Making A Start
- Visitor Information (Update)
- Autumn Crafts and Autumn Colours
- Weekend Waxcaps
- Meadows and Ponds
- Meet Foxglove’s New Ranger
- All Work and No Play?
- Field Centre open Sunday 15th October 12 noon - 4.00pm
- Paving the Way
- Getting further, faster - together…
- Brian’s Baler!
- Reserve closed Tuesday 26th September 2023
- The Revolution has begun!
- Learning to Scythe with Steve Tomlin
- A fine time was had by all!
- Bird Ringing
- Galls
- Late Summer into Autumn
- News from the North
- Thank you!
- A Quiet Walk
- Hanging Around
- Mipits
- Common Lizards Again!!
- Species
- Bird Ringing
- Keeping Your Eyes Open
- Weekend opening hours Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th August
- We are recruiting!
- Thank yous and Bye Bye
- When the Sun Comes Out
- Weather and Flora and Fauna
- Volunteers at Work
- More Photos from the BBQ
- Jenga
- Volunteer and Bye Bye BBQ
- Summer
- Summer Work
- More Wildlife
- Wildlife
- A Good Growing Season
- Weekend opening hours Sat 22 & Sun 23 July 2023
- Moth News
- Butterfly Roundup
- More Moths
- Butterflies and Moths
- Weekend opening Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th July 2023
- Watching
- Juvenile Birds
- Common Lizards
- The Scrapes
- Nesting birds
- Ooohs and Ahhhs at the Moth Traps
- Co-operative Plants and Animals
- Summer Maintenance
- Moth Update
- Warm Days
- The Bees Return!
- June Flowers
- Lots of Legs
- Sharing Ideas
- Questions
- Caught Chasers!
- Some Bugs and Beasties
- Snow in June?
- Chasing the Chasers and Other Insects
- A Lesson - Perhaps?
- Small Nest Box Time
- Half Term Trail
Blog Archive
- Blog Posts from - 2025
- Blog Posts from - 2024
- Blog Posts from - 2023
- Blog Posts from - 2022
- Blog Posts from - 2021
- Blog Posts from - 2020
- Blog Posts from - 2019
- Blog Posts from - 2018
- Blog Posts from - 2017
- Blog Posts from - 2016
- Blog Posts from - 2015
- Blog Posts from - 2014
- Blog Posts from - 2013
- Blog Posts from - 2012
- Blog Posts from - 2011
- Blog Posts from - 2010
- Blog Posts from - 2009