A Growing Job List

Monday, June 12th 2017

This Monday did not feel like a Monday! Instead of the usual office work that follows a weekend we were working on preparations for the 25th Anniversary ‘Foxglove 25’ event coming up on the 15th & 16th July.

With only a month to go we headed out around the reserve; with notebooks in hand we made a list as long as my arm with jobs to be done. This was not an unpleasant task as it's good to look at the reserve in detail.

The general maintenance of the site is on-going, but we spotted various signs for re-newing and wooden structures such as the outdoor classroom which need a re-staining.

Taking time and looking closely, we saw that our orchids are coming into their glory, including this Common Spotted Orchid:

The path verges are lined with numerous flower spikes (making the strimming a little awkward when defining the path edges!). With all the winter work it is always reassuring that these beautiful flowers are still here in abundance!

I believe this to be a hybrid Northern Marsh Orchid.

We have tin sheets laid in suitable areas to give a haven for various critters; quite often it's a vole or toad who uses the underside as a temporary home, but in this case a nest of bumblebees were present. Without disturbing the nest site too much I determined it was a Buff-tailed Bumblebee.

These bees do not have hives like Honey Bees. Only the Queen over-winters, but they have nests of up 500 workers, where Honey Bees can be in the thousands. Honey is limited to about a thimble size amount if any, as the bee grubs are fed mainly on collected pollen.

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Upcoming Events

Access to the Reserve: Closed Weds 16th October ONLY, reopens Thurs 17th

Friday 20th September 2024 |

Please note: the reserve is closed on Wednesday 16th October. Regular opening as described below will resume on Thursday 17th.

We are glad to announce that Foxglove Covert is reopening to the general public on Monday 7th October 2024.

A partial fix of the Foxglove Covert access gate has ensured that the safety features (sensors, emergency stop buttons) are now functional. This will allow safe access through the gate.

Unfortunately, the intercom and remote opening system by which the Guardroom normally opens the gate for entry and exit to the reserve is still inoperable. We do not have a timeframe for when this will be repaired.

Entry and exit to the reserve will therefore take place via key fobs which will be issued in exchange for photo ID (driving licence/passport) to visitors when they sign in at the Cambrai Lines front entrance. These fobs can be used to open the gate when entering and exiting the reserve. They must be returned to the front entrance pass office upon exiting the reserve.

Please note access will be limited by the number of fobs available. You may therefore be turned away at the pass office if all fobs are in use at that time. Please only collect one fob per visiting group and ensure you enter and exit the reserve together.

Please see below for organised events. Booking is essential, as attendees will be contacted with access arrangements ahead of the events.

If you are part of an organised group and would like to arrange a visit to the reserve, please contact reserve staff.