Making homes for wildlife at the Cemetery

There have been real efforts by the volunteers of the Cherishing Sidmouth Cemeteries project, together with council officers, to make corners of Sidmouth Cemetery welcoming for wildlife.

Last month, bat boxes went up in the Cemetery and the working party demonstrated the art of composting – thereby creating homes for the likes of slow worms and beetles.

And earlier we were celebrating trees in flower and meadow spring flowers in Sidmouth Cemetery – all of which provide habitats for insects, birds and bats.

This month, the tree team from the District Council have been very busy.

Cherishing Sidmouth Cemeteries working party member Mick Street reports today on their latest activity, together with some of his photography:

Nathan Dunster and his EDDC tree team cut back this Ash tree that had Ash die back disease. It has been left to recover or become standing dead wood food for beetles and other wild life. Note where they have cut a bird nesting site in the middle of the tree.

They also fixed a bat box on the Scots pine tree opposite and stacked the cut logs under the tree for a wildlife habitat. Splendid work from a skilled and helpful team.

Yes, that’s a ready-made home for anyone who’d like to make use of it! Thanks to the council’s tree team!

The Ash tree is making quite a come-back

The logs from the cut part of the Ash will make a good home.

Thank you Mick for the report and photos!