Does it Feel Like First Week of Autumn?
Thursday, September 12th 2024
As autumnal temperatures and wet weather set in this week, early emerging fungi have been popping up all across the reserve.
The Deceiver (Laccaria laccata) is a common woodland fungi which gets its name from how its colour can change in weather and as it ages. When there is wet weather, young Deceivers are a reddish-brown colour.
Another colour changing fungi is the Blushing Bracket (Daedaleopsis confragosa) which tends to have shades of pink on its top surface, and its white underside bruises pink when touched!
The nibbled fungi pictured below is a Crab Brittlegill (Russula xerampelina), which smells like crab! The scent gets stronger as the fungi ages.
Meanwhile this week, work on the wildflower meadow continues, with staff and volunteers diligently scything away.
On the ground, among the thick thatch of the long grass, a couple of small mammal nests (likely made by Field Voles) were discovered while scything.
The reserve remains closed to the general public, with access limited to organised events. Check out the events page to find out what's coming up this autumn: https://foxglovecovert.org.uk/events.
Caught on Camera
Monday, August 12th 2024
Some interesting wildlife has been caught on camera around the reserve this August.
A curious and bold leveret (young hare) has been seen exploring the wildflower meadow. Young hares are called leverets up until they are a year old. Hares generally live in fields which have a mix of open and sheltered areas. They nest above ground rather than in burrows like rabbits. Leverets can be spotted alone in fields, and although might seem to be abandoned, the mother will usually be hidden from sight but not far away. It is possible that this year hares have nested in the same field this leveret was spotted, however there are also suitable nesting areas in some of the the land surrounding Foxglove Covert.
Five Silver-washed Fritillary butterflies were flying together around the orchard. Silver-washed Fritillaries were first recorded at Foxglove Covert two years ago, and it is great that sightings have continued to occur since.
The trail camera, placed near a badger set at the end of July, has already captured lots of images of the badgers and their cubs. This image shows a mother and three of this year's cubs.
Behind the Barrier this July!
Thursday, July 25th 2024
As Foxglove Covert LNR continues to be closed to the general public, we have been working hard to get pre-arranged groups in as much as possible. Staff and volunteers were joined by two work experience students from Richmond School for a week, and throughout July we have also been joined by multiple volunteering groups, including team members from Babcock, DIO and Balfour Beatty. Work included repairing and painting benches, installing foundations on which to place those benches and raking and bailling cut grass on the large waxcap field.
On Sunday, Keith Gittens led a guided walk around the reserve for dragonflies and damselflies. Although the weather condtitions weren't perfect, lots of species were spotted, including Common Blue, Blue-tailed and Emerald Damselflies, Common Darters, Emporer Dragonflies and Four-spot Chasers.
This Tuesday, Foxglove Covert's practical volunteers continued scything and bailling hay on the large waxcap field.
On Wednesday, the species team were joined by some additional moth specialists, including county recorder Charlie Fletcher. 11 moth traps (8 more than normal!) were put out across the reserve on Tuesday night, and 104 different species (some aggregates) were caught. A new moth species for Foxglove Covert was caught, Crassa unitella, as was a species that hasn't been recorded in Vice-County 65 (North-West Yorkshire) since the 19th century, Argyresthia pygmaeella. In addition, 100 Small Dotted Buff were caught, the third highest record in Yorkshire!
The time and efforts of everyone who has visited and volunteered at Foxglove Covert this July is much appreciated!
Reserve Update
Sunday, July 7th 2024
Sadly Foxglove Covert LNR remains closed to visitors due to problems with the access gate making it unsafe for use without supervision. We are doing everything we can to ensure the running of the reserve can get back to normal as soon as possible.
In the meantime, organized groups have been able to access the reserve by arrangement with reserve staff, and we have been able to host some events on the reserve as well.
In the last few weeks the reserve has hosted a number of groups and events despite some difficulties getting them in and out!
One such group was the 1 Regiment Royal Military Police, who volunteered at Foxglove Covert for their Global Charge Day. They spent a morning cutting back encroaching vegetation and tidying up the access track. They then enjoyed a guided walk around the reserve.
Volunteers from Jacobs, Mway Comms, Tilbury Douglas and HW Martin traffic management joined Foxglove Covert Volunteers the week after to help out. A lot of grass has been cut in the last couple months on one of the fields we are now managing for the benefit of waxcap fungi. Volunteers helped make much of this now-dried grass into hay bales using the hand-baler, and moved them to the outdoor classroom to be used as comfy seats for visiting school groups.
Foxglove Covert welcomed two school groups to Foxglove in one week; Brompton-on-Swale and Carnagill. Both enjoyed pond-dipping sessions and guided walks around the reserve. More recently, 1st Richmond Beavers also visited the reserve for a pond-dipping session.
Foxglove Covert hosted another Scything course at the beginning of July, teaching six more people how to set-up, use and maintain a scythe.
And finally, we were visited by South Durham U3A who enjoyed a talk and guided walk around the reserve, bravely battling through some pretty strong winds!
Thank you for the hard work of the groups who volunteered their time and to all attendees over the past few weeks for your patience and organisation regarding the requirements to access the reserve.
More information about how the reserve has been running in the last few months is available in the latest issue of Undergrowth, Issue 63.
Book on upcoming events through the News & Events page - you will then be contacted with details on accessing the reserve for the event.
Would You Like to be a Trustee?
Wednesday, June 5th 2024
This is an exciting opportunity to help enhance the Reserve further as a special place to encourage nature and natural habitats and as a place for people to enjoy for specialist pursuits or leisure time. In turn this is a rewarding role.
Foxglove Covert is a designated Local Nature Reserve of around 100 acres of moorland edge, adjacent to Cambrai Lines at Catterick Garrison and has a remarkable mix of habitats and species. Foxglove has been developed into the gem it is today over the past 30 years.
Catterick Garrison is one of the largest military communities in the country. The land is owned by the Ministry of Defence. The Foxglove Covert Foundation manage this land on a lease specifically as a Nature Reserve. Recently a new Board has been formed to manage the Foundation following transition to a CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation). There are four current Trustees, and we are looking to increase numbers by two or three to help with this role.
We are not looking for any specific background. More an intertest in the work of the Reserve and the aptitude and attitude to help with future plans to broaden appeal to the military and wider community as well as specialist audiences.
We have two excellent employees and many brilliant volunteers who all spend time and effort in maintaining the Reserve and developing initiatives.
Ministry of Defence security requirements will have to be met.
We need some details about you, a CV if you have one (or details about your background and experience - paid or otherwise) and why you are interested in a Trustee role. Selection will be based on those we think best fit the criteria set out but also who can bring different perspectives and skills to the work.
You are also welcome to get in touch with John Walker, Secretary on 07791 128183 or by Email j.walker@thefoxglovecovertfoundation.org.uk to discuss the role in more detail. If you would like to look around the Reserve that can be arranged.
We look forward to hearing from you.
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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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