Foxglove Covert

Foxglove Covert is a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) located on Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire, England and is on the eastern edge of the Yorkshire Dales. The reserve was created in 1992 by The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards who had just returned from the First Gulf War. The reserve has been visited by royalty and has won many awards for its activities.

Foxglove Covert
Local Nature Reserve
Wetlands area at Foxglove Covert
Foxglove Covert
Location within North Yorkshire
LocationCatterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, England
Nearest townRichmond
Coordinates54°22′05.7″N 1°45′15.0″W
Area100 acres (40 ha)
Created1992
Visitors25,000 (in 2017)[1]
Open9:00 am–5:00 pm every day (except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day)[2]
DesignationLocal Nature Reserve (LNR)
Site of Local Nature Conservation Importance (SNCLI)
WebsiteOfficial website

The nationally renowned site is noted for being located on Ministry of Defence (MoD) land with access via security control on part of Catterick Camp. It was the first nature reserve in Richmondshire and was the first nature reserve with public access on MoD land.[3]

History

In the 1970s, due to an upsurge in terrorism, security was upgraded and razor wire was installed around the perimeter of Catterick Garrison. A section across the north western edge of the camp was bypassed because of its undulating nature. The section was an area of foxholes, slit trenches and gullies that were designed to test tank crews as part of their training.[4] This small area was overgrown and had many moorland streams that came together to form Leadmill and Risedale Becks flowing through it.[5] In 1992, Major Tony Crease of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, realised the potential of the site[6] and was granted 28 acres (11 ha) by the British Army to convert into a nature reserve.[7] Crease made use of soldiers who were able to volunteer and also use their earthmoving equipment to help out.[8] In April 2001, the site was designated as a Local Nature Reserve by Natural England[9] which afforded it a protected and legal designation. In the same year it was designated as a Site of Local Nature Conservation Importance (SLNCI).[4][10]

In 2014, due to security concerns, it was proposed to create a new access road that would still cross Army land, but would mean that visitors would not need to go through the security at the gate. The downside to the plan was that the new access road would be at least a 4-mile (6.4 km) diversion and would cross an active training area where soldiers would be using blank ammunition.[11]

In 2015, it was revealed that the MoD had withdrawn plans for the access road and had forwarded a grant to the reserve. The reserve was accredited with The Flagship Pond Scheme which only recognises the very best ponds across England and Wales.[12] In 2016, Tony Robinson visited the reserve as part of his Coast to Coast programme and helped to provide a timber island for waterfowl and observed ringing of birds on site by the British Trust for Ornithology.[13] The vast range of bird species that inhabit or visit the reserve makes it ideal for bird ringing; only one other site across the British Isles has data that surpasses that gathered at Foxglove Covert for time and consistency.[14] In its first twenty years, the reserve noted, detailed and ringed over 90,000 birds.[15]

In 2017, after being open for 25 years, the reserve won the Environmental Project Award as given out by the Ministry of Defence and Sanctuary Magazine.[16]

The local MP at the time of its creation, William Hague, was a keen supporter of the reserve and his successor, Rishi Sunak is also a patron of the site and writes about the reserve often in the local press.[17]

Description

The reserve is accessed through Cambrai Lines gate at Catterick Garrison, which is guarded by The Royal Lancers. Between 20,000 and 25,000 visitors come each year specifically for the reserve[18][1] and by the end of 2017, the reserve had recorded over 770,000 visitors in its 25-year history.[19] Foxglove Covert now covers over 100 acres (40 ha)[20] and includes heathland, wetland, moorland, flower-rich grassland and ancient deciduous woodland.[21][22]

The reserve also includes a £350,000 field centre, built in 2002, that has classrooms and bird-ringing rooms with one way glass so as not to disturb the wildlife outside.[23][24] The centre also has an observation bee hive that can be viewed through clear plexiglass and the local beekeeping association then sells some of the honey produced.[25][26] They also promote beekeeping by running courses throughout the year to new, novice and experienced beekeepers.[27] The reserve is noted as a specialist centre for bird preservation.[4][28]

In May 2016, a "quasi Neolithic edifice" of 13 stones was built on part of the moorland trail. The stones were donated by a local quarry based in Leyburn and the design is meant to replicate a clock face. The 69-foot (21 m) circle has four major keystones, at the cardinal points of a compass, with smaller stones occupying the rest of the points with a larger stone in the middle.[1]

In the summer of 2019, a new pond was created to entice wading birds and associated wildlife. The man-made pond was christened Spigot Mere after a Second World War mortar shell (known as a Spigot) was uncovered during the excavations for the pond.[29]

Species list

The reserve is home to over 2,600 species of fauna, flora invertebrate and vertebrates.[12][20] Whilst Foxglove Covert does not have a unique species, it is home to some endangered and rare species, a selection of which are listed below.

  • Bridge at Foxglove Covert
  • Education space in the wetlands area
  • Path at Foxglove Covert
  • Stone Circle on Moorland walk at Foxglove Covert - not a historical monument; a 21st-century addition
  • The main pond and bird hide at Foxglove Covert

References
  1. Barnard, Ashley (22 May 2016). "20 tons of stone hoisted in to create modern stone circle at nature reserve". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  2. Pike 2012, p. 36.
  3. Crease 2017, p. 6.
  4. Vine, Andrew (25 June 2011). "Video: Inside the nature reserve that's also an army camp". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  5. Pike 2012, p. 32.
  6. Wood, Stephen (2015). The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards; Those Terrible Grey Horses;. Oxford: Osprey. p. 241. ISBN 978-1-4728-1062-5.
  7. Wilkinson, Paul (6 April 2009). "Foxglove Covert: Forces of nature". The Telegraph. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  8. Richardson, Andy, ed. (7 July 2017). "Landmark for Nature Reserve". Darlington & Stockton Times (27–2017). p. 13. ISSN 2040-3933.
  9. "Foxglove Covert LNR". designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  10. "About Us | Foxglove Covert Local Nature Reserve". www.foxglovecovert.org.uk. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  11. "Anger at Foxglove Covert nature reserve plans to force visitors to cross Army training area". The Northern Echo. 2 February 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  12. "'Challenging year' reported at Catterick Garrison nature reserve". Darlington and Stockton Times. 20 February 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  13. Adlard, Stacey (2016). "Catterick Training Area". Sanctuary Magazine. London: Ministry of Defence (45): 91. ISSN 0959-4132.
  14. Pike 2012, p. 34.
  15. Brayshay, Chris (26 June 2013). "Covert operation". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  16. Richardson, Andy, ed. (1 December 2017). "Nature reserve recognised by MoD for nature conservation landmark". Darlington & Stockton Times (48–2017). p. 34. ISSN 2040-3933.
  17. Sunak, Rishi (21 July 2017). "Perfect free day out for the whole family". Darlington and Stockton Times. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  18. Fletcher, Terry (9 July 2013). "Army and community life thrive together in Catterick". yorkshirelife.co.uk. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  19. Behrens, David (15 November 2017). "Tank track goes back to nature in Army's pony club". The Yorkshire Post. p. 3. ISSN 0963-1496.
  20. Wilson, Laura (17 November 2017). "Ponies at nature reserve to help shield moorland". Darlington & Stockton Times (46–2017). p. 34. ISSN 2040-3933.
  21. Richardson, Andy, ed. (22 December 2017). "Reserve increases its workforce". Darlington & Stockton Times (51–2017). p. 10. ISSN 2040-3933.
  22. Crease 2017, p. 80.
  23. Rowley, Sue (2007). "Foxglove Covert Catterick" (PDF). assets.publishing.service.gov.uk. Ministry of Defence. pp. 14 15. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  24. Sedgwick, Phillip (19 April 2013). "Major idea of natural legacy for the Dales". Darlington and Stockton Times. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  25. "Field Centre & Facilities | Facilities | Foxglove Covert Local Nature Reserve". www.foxglovecovert.org.uk. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  26. Crease 2017, p. 82.
  27. Richardson, Andy, ed. (25 May 2018). "Bees Support". Darlington & Stockton Times (21–2018). p. 9. ISSN 2516-5348.
  28. "Richmond & District Beekeepers' Association | Beekeeping Training & Education". richmondbeekeepers.co.uk. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  29. Sedgwick, Phillip (26 July 2019). "Nature reserve continuing to thrive". Darlington & Stockton Times (30–2019). p. 18. ISSN 2516-5348.
  30. Barnard, Ashley (1 July 2016). "Rare water vole thriving at North Yorkshire nature reserve". York Press. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  31. "Lost water voles make comeback". York Press. 15 August 2007. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  32. "Foxglove Covert Flagship Site - Freshwater Habitats Trust". freshwater habitats.co.uk. Retrieved 25 April 2018.

Sources
  • Crease, A J (2017). "Spotlight on Foxglove Covert" (PDF). Sanctuary; The Ministry of Defence Sustainability Magazine. Ministry of Defence (46).
  • Pike, Brian (June 2012). "Reserve Forces". Dales Life. Richmond (North Yorkshire): Dales Life. ISSN 2043-7625.
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