Make Do and Mend!

Sunday, February 12th 2017

Today was not the usual Sunday ringing birds at Foxglove; our intention was to make good a couple of the mist nets we put up to catch the birds.

The nets get torn if caught up in bramble and at times Roe Deer have run through them or holes appear from just wear and tear. It is quite a fiddly job to patch and replace the fine nets, but at over £100 pounds each net it is time well spent.

A lull in the weather did enable us to put out a couple of nets for a short spell enabling us to process about 60 birds from Redpolls to Blue Tits. We checked the nets every 10 minutes to extract the birds and limit any exposure to the elements.

Sophie, our Chairperson, took these pictures of this lovely murmuration of Starlings near Bedale. It is always a fantastic spectacle to watch before they dive through their vortex to their roost site in the reed beds.

Jenny, one of our ringers, took this photo of a Roe Deer as she left the reserve. Quite often it is the flash of their rear end that is seen. You never know what you will see at FGC!

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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.