Although a relatively small area (a little more than 2 acres), nestled in amongst residential properties, the graveyard offers a much-needed refuge for wildlife. It provides a good wildlife habitat for a number of birds and insects such as Holly Blue, Red Admiral, and Comma butterflies. Frogs and toads, dragonflies, and occasionally damselflies are also seen.
More than 35 species of woodland birds, including birds such as Tawny Owl, Tree Creeper, Nuthatch, and Great Spotted Woodpecker. Notable birds nesting in the graveyard are Blackcap Warbler and Song thrush, the latter on the RSPB red alert list, and quite a few wrens. Last year a pair of spotted flycatchers was seen that may have been nesting close by. The trees also host mixed flocks of Great Tit, Blue tit and Long tailed tit gleaning for insects on the leaves and bark.
Much of the attractiveness to birds comes from the presence of Lime trees along the entrance track, Sycamore trees in the upper part of the graveyard, and the covering of ivy on the trunk. Ivy is particularly important as a late source of nectar for butterflies and other insects and as a repository for the insect food important to birds. We, therefore, try to keep some on the trunks.
Animals observed in the graveyard include hedgehogs, foxes, and very occasionally deer.
You will find below a photographic record of some of the birds.
Redwing frequently visit the graveyard during the winter months.
Spotted Flycatchers are occasional visitors to the graveyard during migration time.
Bullfinches are frequently heard in and around the graveyard. This one was seen in adjacent trees in May 2019.
The following spreadsheets have been compiled from records collected during observations of the graveyard and surround during the period 2014 to 2018.
An odd visitor to the graveyard is a buzzard. It appeared in November 2018 and continued to visit through February 2019. It sits in the trees and can be seen in the early morning sitting on headstones, occasionally swooping down to the ground. It is mainly interested in snacking on worms.
Occasional Black Cap Warblers are seen throughout the year, even in winter. The female below was photographed in an adjacent garden in January 2019.
Some Invertebrates.
In addition to birds, a number of insects are observed in the graveyard or surrounding gardens.
Butterflies, Moths, Dragonflies, and Damselflies.
Butterflies can be quite prolific and include Holly Blue, Red Admiral, Comma, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper, and Meadow Brown. You may even encounter the occasional Painted Lady or Dark Green Fritillary.
Gallery with photographs of butterflies taken in the graveyard.
Dragonflies and Damselflies can occasionally be seen hawking along the paths. The latter are probably present because they frequent ponds in gardens adjoining the graveyard. The gallery below shows a selection of examples.
