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Time to Stop and Stare

Monday, May 28th 2018

The name of the insect, read moth, in the Buttercup has arrived.  It is Micropterix calthella and it feeds on pollen of a variety of flowers including Buttercups and Marsh Marigold.  I have also photographed it in Cuckoo Flower and Welsh Poppy.  Not too clearly shown, but if you look carefully you can see that they have hairy heads.  Nature is just fantastic!  Next sunny day a better close up to really see the hairy heads!  It has been recorded on the species list but not since June 2010, so it will be good to update the recording.

Moth

I also took time to stop and stare yesterday, not at vistas but at little things that caught my eye.  Cercopis vulnerata, the Black and Red Froghopper was hopping about in the nettles.

Black and Red Froghopper

Hawthorn leaves should be green so when a red one was noted I was curious.  Back to the Internet and it appears to be Hawthorn Redfold Gall, but more research is required.

Hawthorn Redfold Gall

We are also looking into this gall or rust on the back of Common Dog Violet leaves, which could possibly be Cercospora violae, But again a bit more reading is going to be needed.

Gall or rust on Common Dog Violet Leaves

After spotting a Yellow Flag Iris bud just showing yellow one day it was astounding to see it fully opened the next.

Yellow Flag Iris

Water Avens flower along Risedale Beck and along many path edges.  There are usually mutations growing amongst some of them.

Mutation of Water Aven

Much of the Yellow Rattle on the middle moor is still quite small but there are some in flower.

Yellow Rattle

We heard today that we have been awarded a Certificate of Excellence for 2018 in recognition for 'consistently great reviews', from Tripadvisor.

This is a credit to everyone who looks after Foxglove, from admin work to habitat management, species recording and bird ringing.  Visitors comment positively about the warm welcome they receive and how amazing the hidden gem of Foxglove is.  Thank you to everyone!

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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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