Malcolm Wandrag, churchwarden from Waterford, St Michael and All Angels has been in touch to update us on the success of their wildlife management in the churchyard where many new species have been recorded, including the first ever record of the Nigma puella spider in Hertfordshire!
They began to manage the churchyard for wildlife at Waterford in 2017, with advice from Judith Evans, Caring for God’s Acre and the DAC advice leaflet. Since then they have had various County Recorders conduct surveys.
Alla Mashannova, one of the County, Flora Recorders, surveyed the churchyard last month and has provided an updated list of species that have been recorded there since they began managing for wildlife.
The total now is:
- 110 flowering plants
- 14 grasses.
- Over 200 species of moth
- 17 butterflies
- A few other invertebrates, including the first ever record of a spider – Nigma puella, in Hertfordshire
There will be many, many more invertebrates but identifying them is tricky and would take hours of survey. The team is recording what they see and what is reported.
The churchyard was visited by a team of Lichen Recorders, and they found many species, including one that is Nationally Rare, one that is local rare and one that is locally scarce.
The parish do not use the term, “re-wilding”, as that suggests positive action such as tilling, casting seeds, etc. All they have done is to stop mowing everything flat.
They recorded Bank Voles, Hedgehogs and Badger and Stoat droppings. Nesting birds have included Robin, Dunnock, Wren and Coal Tit and this is without putting up nest boxes. There is a folder in the porch with details of their mowing regime and lists of recorded species.
Malcolm Wandrag, Churchwarden
The Living Churchyard Project aims to help churches manage their churchyards in a wildlife-friendly way, while being sensitive to the needs of all churchyard users, paying particular heed to the primary function as a resting place for the dead and a contemplative place for friends and relatives of those buried there.
Judith Evans promotes the Project within the Diocese and is able to provide sources of reference, guidance and advice, and in some cases, practical help through partner organisations. Malcolm is happy for anyone to get in touch if they are interested in managing their own churchyard. The DAC team can put you in touch with Malcolm.