FRIENDS BEDFORD CEMETERY NATURAL HISTORY

The Cemetery forms part of the Clapham Wildlife Corridor, which stretches from Clapham Park Wood through recently planted areas similar to 18th Century parkland and wood pasture, past Parkwood Local Nature Reserve and down to Bedford Park and Hill Rise Local Nature Reserve.

The underlying geology of the Cemetery is boulder clay, which makes the soil over most of the Cemetery alkaline. In a few places, notably near the gatehouse, topsoil of much greater acidity has been imported. The plant species present here vary somewhat from those in the rest of the Cemetery.

The conserved area in the east (a County Wildlife site) is typical of chalky grassland. In the spring the area is dotted with Primroses and Cowslips and many hybrids of the two (False Oxlips), as well a couple of species of Violet. A little later, the area is dotted with most of the orchids found in the Cemetery: Common Spotted and Pyramidal. We hope that the Bee Orchid will return – this species is known for unexplained appearances and disappearances and was quite common until recently.

There is another conservation area right up against the northern boundary; more shaded but equally chalky. A little searching in early spring will reveal Wood Anemone, Winter Aconite and Lesser Celandine. In the late spring this area has Common Twayblade orchid. It is easily overlooked but look for two long leaves like Lily-of-the-Valley with a tall flower spike (300mm) and pale greenish-yellow flowers – most unlike the showy tropical orchids!

The treescapes of the Cemetery and Bedford Park form a continuum. Many of the species exist in both places, probably an inheritance of the Victorian desire to plant exotic species. It has been argued that the combination of the Cemetery and the Park (opened in 1888) presents one of the finest urban treescapes in Britain. Most of the commoner butterflies on the British list have been identified in the Cemetery since 2001 (23 species). What you see depends greatly on the time of year.

You will also see a variety of dragonflies and day-flying moths. The Common Frog, Common Toad and Smooth Newt have all been seen. Although there are no ponds, there are damp areas and breeding takes place in ponds in surrounding gardens.

Bird life in the Cemetery consists largely of what you find in most suburban areas in south-eastern Britain, although there are exceptions.

By far the most frequently observed mammal is the Grey Squirrel, an introduced species from America. In quiet periods, and especially in the evening and early morning, Muntjac deer (another introduction) and Red Fox are frequently seen. It is likely that various vole and mouse species are common. Surveys and recording of the wildlife continue throughout the year and the results are communicted to a number of wildlife conservation bodies at county and national level, including Butterfly Conservation, Bedfordshire Natural History Society and the National Phenology Network.