A Variety of This and That
Monday, April 2nd 2018
The Little Grebe was fishing and then taking vegetation to his mate, although I do not think she was over impressed with his enthusiasm to start nesting just yet! The fish was identified as a Rudd. John was able to catch this great photograph.
Back in the warmth of the Activity Room more excitement as we found eggs from our Mud Snails. We await their hatching.
Some of our Holly leaves have brown marks on them. Upon investigation Christine identified them as Holly Leaf Miners. The tiny fly Phytomyza ilicis, lays her eggs in the young, newly grown soft leaves. The larva hatches and begins to mine between the layers of the leaf. It pupates and hatches out leaving a tiny hole. However the story has a twist or two. A parasitic wasp is able to lay her eggs in the larva - yes the wasp larva eats the fly larva - delightful! Continuing, birds like the Blue Tit, then eat the wasp larva. Looking at information on web sites we need to take a closer look at these marks, as depending upon the mark left on the leaf, we should be able to tell if the larva of the fly or wasp has hatched or if the larva has been eaten. And not forgetting this is a new species!
Foxglove is often two weeks behind the surrounding area when it comes to flowering times. The weather has been so cold, spring is very late. Or are we just used to earlier springs? Checking the April blog of 2017, there is a photo of a Marsh Marigold in flower, but the best I can do this April are some leaves.
In some of the hedgerows surrounding Foxglove Blackthorn is beginning to flower. In Foxglove it is still tight in bud.
And finally a Redpoll has been caught that is six years old. These birds only weigh between 9 and 12 grams. Yet another amazing fact from the bird ringing that takes place at Foxglove.
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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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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
- More Nature
- 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
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