Wildflower Survey
The information below is from the Kilspindie and Rait Parish Church - Kilspindie Churchyard Wildflower Survey completed on 13 June 2024. Christine Allan visited the churchyard and found a good range wildflowers in grassland surrounding the graves. The following species were recorded.
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Birds:
Lichens: Frequent on gravestones, some on the east side had outstanding moss and lichen floras |
Trees and bushes overhanging from neighbouring woodland:
Mosses: Old flat gravestones covered in moss, frequent on gravestones with lichens and on walls. Moss abundant on ground in Stuart mausoleum and on bare ground in graves with a low wall surround |
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Plants:
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Estimated biodiversity score = 8-9
Kilspindie was one of most biodiverse churchyards surveyed in 2024. The high number of higher plant species, 67, was more than in any other churchyard surveyed. It was possible to identify every grass species as the grass had not been mown and all were flowering. Weeds in the gavel paths added to the number recorded, Lesser Trefoil was abundant in gravel in places. Lesser Stitchwort, Common Bird's-foot-trefoil, Lady's Bedstraw and Cowslips are all characteristic of herb rich neutral/calcereous grassland. A few young or seedling trees were present, overhanging trees on the south side were shading the ground which was dominated by Creeping Buttercup with Creeping Soft Grass. Of the 13 bird species recorded, unusual were Goldcrest and Grey Wagtail seen by the burn. Notable species were Cowslips, scattered in grass throughout the graveyard and an impressive clump of Royal Fern growing inside the Stuart Mausoleum. Also notable was the number of plants of Wall Lettuce in the gravel with other weeds, and Pendulous Sedge established on the boundary wall.
Kilspindie was one of most biodiverse churchyards surveyed in 2024. The high number of higher plant species, 67, was more than in any other churchyard surveyed. It was possible to identify every grass species as the grass had not been mown and all were flowering. Weeds in the gavel paths added to the number recorded, Lesser Trefoil was abundant in gravel in places. Lesser Stitchwort, Common Bird's-foot-trefoil, Lady's Bedstraw and Cowslips are all characteristic of herb rich neutral/calcereous grassland. A few young or seedling trees were present, overhanging trees on the south side were shading the ground which was dominated by Creeping Buttercup with Creeping Soft Grass. Of the 13 bird species recorded, unusual were Goldcrest and Grey Wagtail seen by the burn. Notable species were Cowslips, scattered in grass throughout the graveyard and an impressive clump of Royal Fern growing inside the Stuart Mausoleum. Also notable was the number of plants of Wall Lettuce in the gravel with other weeds, and Pendulous Sedge established on the boundary wall.
Photos above © AH Lavery (2024)
Moth Survey
Moths were trapped at two positions in the churchyard. Wild flowers, trees and lichens, and mosses on the walls and gravestones contributed to the species diversity
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Moth Species:
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© Cathy Caudwell
