Warm Weather

Sunday, July 20th 2014

Friday's blog commented on the necessary cutting of some of the net rides. After yesterday's rain and today's warmth even more 'loppering and secateuring' will be needed! However the warm weather is bringing out Foxglove's flowers. Betony is flowering in many places on the reserve turing the areas dark pink.

Betony

Zig-Zag Clover is another flower that is blooming.

Zig-Zag Clover

Thistles, greatly loved by the volunteers, are providing nectar and pollen for visiting bees.

Thistle with bee

This morning when the bird ringers arrived at dawn, the hive bees were 'hanging around'!

Hive bees

Once the sun came out and the temperature rose, the bees were busy foraging around Meadow Sweet.

Hive bees on Meadow Sweet

Although showers were forecast they missed Foxglove, so the whole ten and a half hours of CES 8 were completed. 141 birds were processed, including 28 new Chaffinches and 13 new Bullfinches. Others making an appearance in the ringing room included Jay, Tree Creeper, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff. Most of the birds handled today were juveniles as the adults are beginning to moult and are keeping a low profile.

Many thanks to the volunteers who prepared the net rides. Thanks also to everybody who helped today, providing food, drinks, washing up, sorting bird bags and tidying up, amongst other jobs.

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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

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.