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Hidden treasures discovered in continuing conservation at St Paul's

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This is a text-only version of an article first published on Wednesday, 8 January 2020. Information shown on this page may no longer be current.

HIDDEN treasures have been found during full-scale biodiversity surveys that started as part of a tree protection plan in a Berkshire churchyard. The wildlife discovered has included the first Berkshire sighting of a ground-bug once thought to be extinct.

St Paul's Churchyard in Wokingham A Living Churchyard was initially launched in 2014 as part of the 150th-anniversary celebrations at St Paul's, Wokingham , but has developed into a major project in its own right. Andy Clark, St Paul's Churchyard manager, said the scheme started when oak tree became infected with a fungus and a cypress was brought down in high winds, narrowly missing the Grade II listed lych-gate, the main road and the public footpath.

Andy was speaking at an open meeting in April, where more than 80 people heard various specialists talk about the surveys and work already carried out, and the plans for the future of the churchyard. Groups including the Wokingham Society, the First Woosehill Scout Group the Woodland Trust, the British Entomological and Natural History Society and the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) were among those involved in the conservation work. Tree surgeons have done work on a Cedar tree before a biodiversity survey into the flora and fauna in the churchyard was launched.

Altogether 109 flowering plants and grasses were identified.

These are the start of the food chain for the animals that live in and around the churchyard.

Reptiles were surveyed from March to October.

Slow worms, grass snakes and common lizards were identified.

Moth evenings and other visits from BENHS based at Dinton pastures identified 329 invertebrate species including the first sighting in Berkshire of Eremocoris fenestratus (a ground bug) and the Hairy Fungus Beetle first identified in 1996 in Reading and now a resident in Wokingham. An RSPB survey found magpies, doves, wood pigeons, robins blue tits and song thrushes were residents or regular visitors, with wrens, dunnocks, nuthatches, backcaps and goldcrests as frequent visitors.

A bat watch discovered the tiny soprano and common pipistrelle bats, as well as the UK's largest bat, the noctule, regularly flying into the churchyard. All of the data has been included on iRecord, as part of the British Biodiversity Network, a national database on which St Paul's Churchyard has been listed as an individual project. Andy said: "As a result of our experience, a number of other local groups are now proposing their own biodiversity surveys and may look to St Pauls for assistance.

The next step in the project requires specialist professional assistance with a full arboreal survey to understand the health and value of the trees to the churchyard and a planting scheme for future investment.

he church plans to use crowdfunding, recycling of logs, woodchip and compost and maintenance of graves, to fund the survey and plan. "The St Paul's Churchyard Working Party takes place on the first and third Saturday of every month, 9. 30am to 3. 30pm with morning coffee and lunchtime refreshments.

New volunteers are always needed.

For more information contact Andy on andy. clark@btconnect. com or the parish office on 0118 979 2122.

Page last updated: Wednesday 8th January 2020 12:00 AM
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