A Sunny School Visit
Friday, May 6th 2016
Today the sun shone, if a little hazy, for our visit by Mill Hill Community Primary School. What a contrast to the last school visit when we had sleet and snow.
The activities were divided off and the groups made their way to either the pond dipping platforms, the outdoor classroom for mini beasts, or the habitat walk. We try to adapt the various activities to any projects which the classes are doing, in this case their subject was based mainly on mini beasts, which take in all the slugs, spiders and insects.
With the pond dipping we had such delights as Whirligig beetles, Pond Skaters, as well as Mayfly, Caddis and Damselfly larvae which fell into the mini beast category. The habitat walk found a Stonefly, various bumblebees, a few butterflies (Orange Tip, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell). On the Minibeast safari the children lifted the logs for the usual slugs, millipedes and woodlice. So thankfully they had a lot of areas filled.
The Moorhen is still about with her 7 chicks, and there is another nest opposite the Lake Hide that is being constructed.
Also today I had reports that a couple of Little Grebe chick were seen briefly taking their first dip into the water from their cosy nest, hopefully over the weekend they will be fully off the nest.
We do not just get moths just when we put out the moth trap, some were found on the walls of the Field Centre this morning, a Shoulder Stripe and a Purple Thorn (below), which amazes me every time I see these, how much they look like a dried leaf.
Thank you to Colin for again coming in to fill the bird feeders,
and Jackie, Lesley and Elizabeth for their much needed help.
Sorry for the mistake yesterday with the photo which I said was a Stonefly, it was actually a Alderfly, that has now been corrected.
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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.
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Jubilee Trail
Friday 27th May 2022 | During Reserve Opening Times
A trail around the red route (wheelchair friendly) to find all things red, white and blue! Pick up a clue sheet from the Field Centre for only £1 and learn some amazing facts about British wildlife as you stroll around the reserve.
No need to book a place as this is a self guided activity. Please bring your own pencil. You can check your answers back at the centre.
The clues will be out for the duration of the Whitsun school holidays (North Yorkshire dates).
Butterflies and Moths Treasure Trail
Friday 22nd July 2022 | During Reserve Opening Times
Enjoy a walk around the red route (easy access trail) and find the clues to learn all about these wonderful insects.
Pick up a clue sheet from the Field Centre for only £1 and check your answers at the end.
No booking required as this is a selg guided activity! Please remember to bring a pencil from home.
The clues will be out for the duration of the school summer holidays (North Yorkshire dates).
Undergrowth Newsletter
Undergrowth Newsletter Winter 2020/21 Issue 54

Find out what has been going on at the reserve during the lockdown!
View All The Newsletters
Recent Blog Posts
- Tread Quietly, Tread Gently
- Plenty To See
- No Snow, No Hail
- Tawny Owls and Grey Herons
- More Flowers
- Nature
- Moving Slowly Through Spring
- Nesting Time
- Winter Spring
- Warm Days
- Biscoff Cheesecake, Brownies and Bakewell Tarts!
- A Busy Day for Some
- Volunteers at Work
- Around the Reserve
- A Ringing Day
- Flowers at Last!
- More Spring Photos
- Moths!
- A Special Visit
- Spring Has Sprung!
- Reducing, Reusing and Recycling!
- Almost Spring
- Thank you!
- Ringing Resumes!
- Arrival of Spring
- Strong Support
- Back To Work!
- We Are Open!
- Update
- Temporary Closure
- Large, Little and In Between
- The Weather
- A Wild Worky Day!
- Malik and Corrie
- Forest School Fun
- Winter Work
- Preventing The Spread of Bird Flu
- Thank You and Congratulations!
- Job Jobbed!
- Hazel, a Hedge and more High Vis!
- Moths
- Many Happy Returns!
- Winter Scenes at Foxglove
- Sheer Dedication!
- Back to Work
- Happy New Year!
- All Kinds of Weather
- Last Volunteer Day 2021
- Pillwort
- Volunteers at Work
- Winter Work Continues
- Edward the Elf Returns!
- Sunshine and Blue Skies
- More Clearing Up
- December Winter Worky Day
- Dangerous Trees
- Tidying Up After Storm Arwen
- Storm Damage
- Willow Weaving
- Considerate Contributions
- Storm Arwen
- Look Both Ways
- Never Work With Wildlife
- Traditional Woodland Skills
- Technicolour Nature!
- November Worky Day
- Woodland Work
- All About Fungi
- Look North
- Autumn Views at Foxglove
- Happy Halloween
- Bat Monitoring
- Forest Fun
- Hazel Coppice
- Wildlife Activity Day
- Winter Visitors
- Fungi Walk
- Happy Holidays!
- Bakewells, Banana Cake and Brushcutting!
- A Busy ‘Typical’ Day?
- Wet and Wild!
- Autumn Bird Ringing
- Changing Seasons
- Moths
- Extra Help
- Redwing
- Lively Livestock!
- Meadow Management
- Half Term Plans
- Autumn Worky Day
- QAVS Award on Display
- The Beginnings of Autumn
- Weekly Round Up
- Busy Bees
- Views Around the Reserve
- Colours
- Army Welfare Service
- Ringing at the Crater
- Hints of Autumn
- Sightings Various
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