Wildlife

The cemetery and crematorium grounds is home to a myriad of wildlife, both resident and seasonal visitors. Here’s a look at what you might be able to see on your visit.

Birds

You’ll find the typical variety of garden birds around the grounds. Sparrows, blackbirds, robins, blue tits, crows, magpies, wood pigeons and seagulls.

You might even get lucky and spot a bird of prey!

For the bird lovers, I recommend the Merlin Bird ID app. It can detect what bird song you’re hearing and ID it for you.

Birds pictured: Blackbird, a buzzard being harassed by two crows and a seagull, wood pigeon. Photos © Claire Smith.

Insects

During the spring and summer months the grounds are teeming with insects, particularly butterflies.

I’ve been lucky to see Comma, Common Blue, Gatekeeper, Holly Blue, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Peacock, Red Admiral, Silver-studded Blue, Small White and Speckled Wood.

Between 17th July and 9th August each year is the Big Butterfly Count organised by the Butterfly Conservation and we make sure to take part and do our bit.

As well as butterflies, you’ll likely to spot dragonflies, damselflies, various bumblebee species, honeybees, wasps, crickets, ladybirds, and the bane of any grave cleaner, ants!

Butterflies pictured: a Comma, Gatekeeper, Gatekeeper, Holly Blue, Peacock, Silver-studded Blue, Small White and a Speckled Wood.

Furry Friends

Grey squirrels can often be spotted in both the cemetery and the memorial gardens. We also have at least two resident foxes that live within the grounds. On a sunny day, look out for them sleeping in D. Gen section!

And since the grounds are surrounded by residential neighbourhoods, you might even spot a cemetery cat.