Churchyards, chapel yards and cemeteries can be great places for both reptiles, such as snakes and lizards, and amphibians such as frogs, toads and newts. You may see lizards basking in the sun on walls or monuments or perhaps a frog or toad hunting in a cool, damp corner or rotting wood pile. To find out more about how to recognise amphibian and reptile species take a look at these guides produced by ARG-UK and ARC*:… Read more: LOOKING FOR SLOW-WORMS & OTHER REPTILES OR AMPHIBIANS

If you are feeling in need of an uplifting sign of spring then take a visit to your nearest rookery. Although most bird species start to display, build nests and lay eggs in March, April or May, rooks and other members of the Corvid family are well underway by February with some starting in January. Many churchyards and cemeteries contain rookeries, situated within tall, mature trees and a great deal of fun can be had in… Read more: A Parliament of Rooks  

Over Christmas we were delighted that the Guardian printed an article about the value of churchyards as “vital havens for rare wildlife including dormice, bats and beetles”. The article, by environment reporter Helena Horton, focused on Caring for God’s Acre’s partnerships with the National Biodiversity Network and many other conservation organisations. As well as specialist recorders identifying rarities the article highlighted the massively valuable records submitted by the 30,000 or so people who have visited their… Read more: Article on Caring for God’s Acre in the Guardian Christmas 2024