A WILDLIFE watch is being launched in the grounds of St Leonard’s Church in Beoley.
Running from today, Saturday, June 4 to Sunday, June 12, the aim is to identify wildlife in the church grounds to determine whether species are increasing or declining.
“Over the Jubilee weekend, and throughout the following week, we are hoping that many visitors to the church grounds will take part in our nature count to record the plant and animal life that they encounter,” said John Gardner from the church.
“Anyone can make a recording simply by noting down their name, what they saw, with the date and location.
“It is important we record as much as possible as all will be useful, even of common plants, grasses, trees, insects, birds, or other wildlife as they will help to monitor the rise or decline of species over a period of years.”
Everyone is invited to take part whether as part of one of the organised events or simply by taking a leisurely walk around the grounds at any time.
“The week has been especially chosen because we know the Jubilee is going to attract many more visitors than normal to the church and its grounds,” said John.
“On Sunday, June 5, we are holding a special Pentecost Service followed by a big picnic lunch with the congregation bringing along food to eat in the church grounds and the following weekend on Saturday June 11, the popular Walkers Café will be opening its doors from 10am till 1pm.”
Instructions on how to identify and record what people see will be on the noticeboard in the south porch at the church.
However people can also take a close-up photo aided by the iNaturalist App.
The project is being managed by the Beautiful Grounds Burial Project which is hosted by the charity ‘Caring for God’s Acre’.
