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Foxglove Covert Local Nature Reserve
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Pastures Planted and Pastures New

Friday, April 5th 2019

The remaining heathland was scarified this morning and Gerry showed off his new-found farming skills by scattering Heather seed on the disturbed ground with the borrowed seed fiddle drill!

The sunny spells gave hope that the tiny seeds were getting a good start to their long germination.

Whilst the sowing was taking place, Colin was busy with a different kind of seeds. He was filling the many bird feeders around the reserve. Flocks of redpoll are common just now and today was no exception with several feeding in the field centre back garden.

Later in the day, Susanna from The North Yorkshire Exmoor Pony Trust came to take away two of the ponies from the moorland. Corvus and Fawn have been doing a great job all winter by eating the rushes and gorse in this area. However, the construction of a new wetland scrape has decreased the amount of grazing and it was time for them to say farewell for the summer months.

Fawn was very well behaved and not too difficult to catch considering she is a wild pony. Corvus though, being old and wise, gave everyone a bit more of a challenge as expected!

Finally, both were caught and walked to their transport. Our sincere thanks to Susanna for loaning them to us, they have been a real pleasure to look after and have made a good difference to this particular habitat.

They will be missed but Lark and Taurus remain for now to continue their important role in managing the moorland.

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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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Upcoming Events

Damsels and Dragons CANCELLED

Sunday 19th July 2020 | 1.00pm start

The events programme has been temporarily withdrawn. For up to date information this website, FaceBook and other forms of social media should be consulted. If you have donated in advance to secure a place on an event you will be contacted over the next few days and offered a refund. We apologise for this inconvenience.

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a Dragonfly and a Damselfly? Can you tell the difference between the different species of blue damselfly? Would you like to learn more about theses fascinating animals that have been around since prehistoric times? Join Keith Gittens for a walk around the beautiful Foxglove ponds (some of which are usually out of bounds to visitors) and observe as many different species as you can. Last year, a new species for the reserve was discovered on this event!

Booking is essential as places are limited. There is a donation of £5 per person to be paid in advance in order to secure a place. Payments now can be made on the phone.

This event is free for Volunteers and Friends of the reserve.


Family Pond Dipping 1 - FULLY BOOKED!

Wednesday 22nd July 2020 | 45 minute sessions on the hour

Come along and find out which animals are living in some of the Foxglove ponds. Book a pond dipping session for your family bubble of up to six people. There will be a socially distanced brief to set you off and then you can use the equipment for the remainder of the session. You will be requested to use hand gel on arrival and the net handles will be cleaned between sessions. Please call the Reserve Managers on 07754 270980 to book your allocated slot. You are advised to arrive 15 minutes before your allocated time. A donation in advance (card payment by phone) of £5 per family bubble is required in order to secure your booking. 


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The Dragonflies of Strensall and Foxglove Covert
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This book has been published with the aim of enabling people visiting these, immensely important Flagship Pond Sites in North Yorkshire, to identify the dragonflies and damselflies they encounter - by reference to a simple text and photographs. Credits - Yorkshire Dragonfly Group & Freshwater Habitats Trust

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