A Mixed Day

Wednesday, May 3rd 2017

Not all days at FGC are run of the mill. When I look back on the day it underlines how varied and diverse our day here at the reserve can be. The first job of the day was to open the moth trap put out overnight. Although we did not have a lot of moths, only 20, we did have a mixed bag of species, 13 in all. Always a pleasure to see was this Purple Thorn with its leaf little appearance.

We found this Hebrew Character in the dog drinking bowl, and as it dried out in the sun we fed it on the honey bee's sugar solution. You can clearly see the proboscis, much like a butterfly's straw-like mouth part, used for sucking up the nectar.

The butterflies were in profusion with Speckled Woods out in fairly large numbers.

We had a group in today pond dipping, where the first Large Red Damselfly was spotted on the Scrapes….

….and the Bog Bean is coming through.

At the outdoor classroom the mini beasts were a-plenty including this ground beetle larva. These are excellent hunters of smaller inverts: Look at those mandibles!

At the Nursery area Dave Peacock was harrowing, and at the same time putting seed in to eventually gain a flower crop for birds to feed on. This also brings in plenty of inverts, which also feeds our birds.

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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

Access to the Reserve: OPEN with limited access

Friday 20th September 2024 |

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.

October Wildlife Wander

Thursday 10th October 2024 | 2pm-4pm

Join reserve staff for a guided walk around Foxglove Covert as the reserve begins to settle into autumn. Explore the reserve as tree leaves begin to change colour, migrating birds start to pass through, and fungi thrives throughout the reserve's grasslands and woodlands.

2pm-4pm.

Donation of £3 per person. Free for Friends of Foxglove. Booking essential.

Due to faults with the Foxglove Covert access gate, entry and exit will be coordinated and at set times. Booked attendees will be sent access arrangements via email prior to the event.

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