Wet and Windy

Tuesday, June 6th 2017

Tuesdays are volunteer days. Our dedicated volunteers braved the wild autumn-like weather to come and help out at Foxglove. With the rain we have had over the last week, everything seems to have sprung into life and grown. The grass along the paths and bird ringing net rides is becoming too long; meaning the lower part of the nets will get caught next time they are put up. This meant the strimmers and mowers were kept busy trying to get things back into shape.

It is not just the grass that appreciated the rain. Net rides are usually quite narrow- some only 4-5 metres wide. It does not take long for the new shoots to grow across the rides, again providing something for the nets to get caught it. More of the volunteers therefore were tasked with pruning the newly overhanging branches. A wet day is actually ideal for this as the branches hang lower with the weight of the rain so are easier to reach for removal.

Elsewhere at Foxglove, a number of other tasks were completed. The bird feeders were filled and the ongoing project of bringing in and painting all of the trail marker posts continued. Gorse was pruned in some areas. Gorse has a tendency to take over anywhere that it gets the chance so it is important to remove it now before the seeds ripen.

The bird ringers continued the seemingly endless tasks of ringing chicks in nest boxes. While the vast majority have now been done, some of the later breeding species are still incubating eggs or small chicks and have a little way to go yet.

Thanks to everyone who came out on such a wild day to help out.

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CLOSURE: Monday 22nd April 2024

Wednesday 17th April 2024 |

Due to an important event occuring on the camp, Foxglove Covert LNR will be closed for one day only on Moday 22nd April.

The reserve will resume usual opening hours on Tuesday 23rd April.

Access to the Reserve: OPEN with limited access

Monday 18th March 2024 |

The reserve is now open, although again with limited access.

Visitors will be able to access the reserve with the use of key fobs provided at the pass office upon entrance to the camp, or will be provided entrance and exit through the access gate by an officer from the camp Guard Room. In this case visitors will need a mobile phone to call the Guard Room when they wish to exit the reserve.

Please be aware that due to these circumstances, entering and leaving the reserve might take a little longer than usual.

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