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Foxglove Covert Local Nature Reserve
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On the Move

Saturday, April 9th 2016

The beetle reported on yesterday's blog has been identified as Thanatophilus rugosus.  This was last recorded at Foxglove on the 1st July 2002.

Invertebrates are beginning to show themselves even though the temperature remains low, especially at night.  Lymnaea stagnalis, Great Pond Snail, has been photographed in the ponds, reminding me of one year when pond dipping with school children we caught 29 very large snails.  Each one was returned to the pond, very carefully, by hand so that they would not get stuck down the plug hole!

Greater Pond Snail

Another invertebrate lurking in the pond water is this carnivorous dragonfly nymph.  Not in the ponds but in the Pillwort tank, on the windowsill.  It will be returned to its pond over the next few days as there is not enough food for it where it is living at the moment.  It is well camouflaged helping it when hunting prey.

Dragonfly nymph

Our moth-ing has not returned many moths so far this year.  Butterflies have also been scarce.  Coltsfoot, one of the few species of flower to be open was visited by a Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly.  Three Peacocks were seen today and another Brimstone.  Butterfly surveys will soon be taking place

Smal Tortoiseshell Butterfly

In the afternoon whilst standing in for our regular member of staff two small nets were put out for a couple of hours which caught over 60 birds including a control Siskin and Redpoll.  This brought the number of new Redpolls in the last couple of weeks to 166.  One of the Redpolls caught yesterday was ringed as a juvenile in 2008 and is 8 years old!  For a Redpoll that is a very good age!

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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

Minibeast Safari 2

Wednesday 12th August 2020 | Various time slots available

Come along and find out which minibeasts are living in some of the habitats at Foxglove. Book a minibeast session for your family bubble of up to six people. There will be a socially distanced brief to set you off and then you can use the equipment for the remainder of the session. You will be requested to use hand gel on arrival and the equipment will be cleaned between sessions. Please call the Reserve Managers on 07754 270980 to book your allocated slot. You are advised to arrive 15 minutes before your allocated time. A donation in advance (card payment by phone) of £5 per family bubble is required in order to secure your booking. 


Family Pond Dipping 3

Wednesday 19th August 2020 | 45 minute sessions on the hour

Come along and find out which animals are living in some of the Foxglove ponds. Book a pond dipping session for your family bubble of up to six people. There will be a socially distanced brief to set you off and then you can use the equipment for the remainder of the session. You will be requested to use hand gel on arrival and the net handles will be cleaned between sessions. Please call the Reserve Managers on 07754 270980 to book your allocated slot. You are advised to arrive 15 minutes before your allocated time. A donation in advance (card payment by phone) of £5 per family bubble is required in order to secure your booking.  There will be a socially distanced brief to set you off and then you can use the equipment for the remainder of the session. You will be requested to use hand gel on arrival and the net handles will be cleaned between sessions. Please call the Reserve Managers on 07754 270980 to book your allocated slot. You are advised to arrive 15 minutes before your allocated time. A donation in advance (card payment by phone) of £5 per family bubble is required in order to secure your booking. 


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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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