Several enthusiastic adults and one child took part in the National Burial Grounds Nature Count during the week 7 to 15 June at our churchyard this year.
Thanks to the experts who joined us to help with identification. Jan, Amy, and Jesica noted nearly 20 different bugs and insects. Mark spotted a Pyramidal Orchid for the first time here. Colin and Phil found lots of different grasses and wildflowers, some of which were rare.
In all 178 observations were recorded and uploaded to i-Naturalist and the 35, already verified, were added to the Beautiful Burial Grounds website.
A remarkable finding was the poppies that are blooming in a line over the new filled in sewer trench. Apparently poppy seeds can lay dormant in the soil for a hundred years or more. As in Flander’s Field, when the soil was disrupted, the poppies bloomed, they are now blooming here.
Two other plants, wild pansies and hedge mustard have come in the same area. The lavender bush is flowering and a useful tip is that dried lavender deters moths amongst your clothes and removes odours in toilets. Put one stalk in an incense holder on a plate and light. It will smoulder, producing a pleasant aroma.
Interested in wild flowers? Get the free i-naturalist app on your mobile. Open the app, select the camera, point it at the plant take a photo and it will help you with an identification.
Gillian Perrott
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