Blog Archive (3) Posts Made in September 2023
Reserve closed Tuesday 26th September 2023
Monday, September 25th 2023
Due to a planned power outage, which will affect the main gate to the reserve and any emergency access, we are reluctantly closing the Field Centre and the reserve for the day on Tuesday 26th September.
We'll be open again on Wednesday 27th - and we hope to see you soon!
The Revolution has begun!
Thursday, September 14th 2023
Well, the scything revolution at Foxglove Covert has begun, to be precise!
At the weekend we were delighted to host Steve Tomlin, sythe tutor, who led a 'Learn to Scythe' course for people keen to learn this skill. Six participants went through the process of setting up, learning about mowing and then they headed out to start cutting a strip of our wildflower meadow.
Steve also brought along four scythe kits, which we've purchased to improve the management of our grassland (though scythes are also excellent for controlling bracken and bramble - as well as helping to manage reedbeds too). On Tuesday, these new scythes were put to good use by Sue, Becky, Freddie, John, Peter and Emma, who showed that they all had the knack very quickly. Not only are scythes better for the environment in terms of reducing the use petrol, upon which strimmers and brush-cutters are dependent, but they also reduce annoying noise, fumes and make a lovely, clean cut through vegetation rather than chewing at stems with a nylon cord.
Watch this space as there will be more to come on our new use of a 3000 year old technology.
Thanks to all for being part of our new scything team!
Learning to Scythe with Steve Tomlin
Friday, September 1st 2023
Sunday 10th September 9.30am - 5.00pm
We're just one week away from hosting scythe tutor Steve Tomlin's course on learning to scythe. We've started to use scythes here at Foxglove Covert with fantastic results - managing grassland, bracken, brambles and reeds in a much more environmentally sensitive way.
There are still places available for this one day course - you can find more details at www.stevetomlincrafts.co.uk/learn-to-scythe
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
Foxglove Covert Local Nature Reserve is now OPEN
Monday 4th November 2024 |
The security gate, it's safety features and the communications link to the guardroom appear to be working, so we're reopening to the public.
Please check the FAQs on entrance procedures.
https://foxglovecovert.org.uk/about/frequently-asked-questions/
Birdwatching Workshop
Sunday 17th November 2024 | 10am-1pm
Improve your bird spotting and identification skills with this beginner-friendly 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.
£5 per person. Free for volunteers and Friends of Foxglove.
Booking essential.
Undergrowth Newsletter
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Recent Blog Posts
- 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
- A Winding Way Through the Reserve
- Checking the Ponds
- Around the Reserve
- Moths and…
- Wildlife
- Living Creatures
- Roe Deer
- Dippers
- Dawn Chorus and Volunteering
- CES 1
- Hive of Activity
- Job Complete!
- Trial Run
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