Creating a Woodmeadow
Thursday, December 19th 2024
Recently, individuals volunteering at Foxglove Covert through the Personnel Recovery Centre have begun working on a patch of land which is to be turned into a woodmeadow as part of Plantlife's Growing Community Connections project. A woodmeadow is a combination of wildflower meadow and woodland which can support a high variety of plant and animal species.
At Foxglove Covert, a patch of land next to the access track leading to the Field Centre is being turned into one such woodmeadow. The land was previously heathland, but no longer supports any heather. Instead, grasses, some wildflowers, and a variety of tree species including old hawthorns and young birch and willow saplings are present. If left alone, the willow and birch would take over, and a dense woodland would likely develop. Therefore, these saplings need to be removed; roots and all!
This November and December, the work has begun with digging up tree saplings and gorse which are starting to take over the area. It is tough and muddy work, but everyone all got stuck in and massive progress has been made in just a couple of sessions.
Removing the saplings and scrub will ensure patches of the land are available for meadow wildflowers to flourish. Meanwhile, the older hawthorn trees will continue to grow, and berry bearing trees such as rowan will be transplanted. These trees will cast some shade, where shade tolerant wildflowers such as Wood Anemone (Anemonoides nemorosa) and Dog Violet (Viola riviniana) will be transplanted.
Over the next few years, this patch of land will be transformed into a mosaic of meadow wildflowers and shady, wooded areas. It will become a flourishing woodmeadow which supports a range of plants, which in turn support a variety of invertebrates and birds.
Thanks to everyone for their hard work so far! There may be a long way to go, but we hope who gets involved with the project will be able to return over time and appreciate how their work helped to develop an area of beautiful and rich biodiversity which serves wildlife and visitors to Foxglove Covert.
(0) Comments:
There are no comments for this blog post yet. Why not start the discussion? - use the form below:
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 and it's safety features are to be working, so we're reopening to the public.
Please check the FAQs for further information on entrance procedures.
https://foxglovecovert.org.uk/about/frequently-asked-questions/
March Winter Worky Day
Sunday 2nd March 2025 | 10am - 3pm
Join Foxglove Covert staff and volunteers for the final worky day of this winter season on Sunday 2nd March.
Help out with winter habitat management tasks on the reserve. Tasks may vary but can include coppicing and pollarding willow carr, creating dead hedges, ring barking and clearing scrub.
Please bring along a packed lunch, come ready for all weather conditions, and bring your oldest outdoor clothes as tasks will be mucky.
Booking is essential for this FREE event.
Please note bookings close midday on February 28th.
Foxglove Covert is now taking bookings for events via Eventbrite.
Or visit foxglovecovertlnr.eventbrite.com
Undergrowth Newsletter
View All The Newsletters
Recent Blog Posts
- Ring Barking in the Conifer Plantation
- Creating a Woodmeadow
- Coppicing and Pollarding
- Wrinkled Club and Candlesnuff
- Wetland Work
- 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
Blog Archive
- Blog Posts from - 2025
- Blog Posts from - 2024
- Blog Posts from - 2023
- Blog Posts from - 2022
- Blog Posts from - 2021
- Blog Posts from - 2020
- Blog Posts from - 2019
- Blog Posts from - 2018
- Blog Posts from - 2017
- Blog Posts from - 2016
- Blog Posts from - 2015
- Blog Posts from - 2014
- Blog Posts from - 2013
- Blog Posts from - 2012
- Blog Posts from - 2011
- Blog Posts from - 2010
- Blog Posts from - 2009