Map of zones
2024 Survey
I have completed the churchyard survey for another year – what IMMENSELY positive reading! Not only have we gained around 14 new species (though some of these may have been missed in previous years, we must always remember….!) the general biodiversity of the churchyard is much improved – just while conducting this survey I saw more butterfly and moth species than I have ever before in the churchyard, and clearly the bird communities are thriving.
We are also now the proud custodians of a thriving population of pyramidal orchids, a sign of good grassland management and great soil, both things which presage the arrival of other species. All great news!!
I am well aware that I am only seeing the results of a lot of hard work which has not been done by me. I think probably the best thing to be done from this stage is mow/cut the grass at the end of August/September when all the flowers are over and the grass begins to look a bit rubbish – this would probably be most beneficial to the plant life. Frequent mowing throughout the winter is not detrimental and a final mow in early April/May is generally the recommended course, though of course I appreciate that this might not always be possible to follow, and that others who are actually doing the work might know more than me et cetera!
3rd year running! We are amassing a data set to rival many world-leading research institutes.
Ben
Details of Ben’s findings can be found below: