Volunteers Work!

Thursday, June 28th 2012

Foxglove volunteers undertake a wide variety of work - yesterday they were building dams, checking tree tubes and carrying out the monthly flower walk.  Ann, Ruth, Brian, John and Elizabeth recorded 88 plants in flower as they walked around various parts of the reserve.  The fen was visited and Common Butterwort in flower and with its seed head was seen, along with many Common Spotted Orchids just beginning to flower.  Early Marsh Orchid was flowering.

Early Marsh Orchid

A strange looking 'bit of grass' was spotted on the fen and almost ignored until it was examined closely.  Photographing it proved difficult as there was just enough breeze to keep it on the move.  This is likely to be another new species to add to our list - Marsh Arrowgrass.

Marsh Arrowgrass

On the wetland Branched Bur-reed was also flowering and this photograph shows the pollen on the stamens.

Branched Bur reed in flower

Today the jobs included stock taking, fund raising, digging drainage ditches, strimming, helping with school groups and identifying the moths caught overnight.

There were more moths in the trap today than of recent weeks, 40 moths of 18 species, including this Elephant Hawkmoth. As it was warm and windy he was hanging on tight so allowing this photograph of his underside to be taken.

Elephant Hawkmoth

One moth proved difficult to identify, and just to help matters along it refused to open its wings!  However after a lot of perseverance it was found to be a male Bordered White.  It continued to be difficult and the best photograph is one taken inside on some vegetation.  This moth can be a pest in conifer plantations.  2008 was the last time it was recorded on the reserve.

Bordered White moth

Many thanks again to all our volunteers who work hard to keep Foxglove looking so good and help visitors and school groups to feel welcome and enjoy their visits.

Members of the ringing team are heading to Cape Wrath in the morning.  (For more information about Cape Wrath, visit the Bird Ringing Section on the web site.)  We wish them a safe journey.  If technology allows we should recieve photographs and updates of their activities.


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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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Foxglove Covert Local Nature Reserve is now OPEN

Monday 4th November 2024 |

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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.

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