Category: Wildlife

Tree Survey

by Adminin General, Volunteers, Wildlife

On the 6th November 1976 Hull City Council conducted a wide-ranging tree survey of Hull General Cemetery. To build-on this information it is hoped* that the Friends of Hull General Cemetery (FoHGC) will conduct it’s own tree survey of the cemetery in 2020. Once the new survey has been conducted it will be possible to see how many of the original-survey trees remain and how the spread/variety of them has changed in the past 44 years.

*(Covid-19 lockdown permitting)

The Friends of Hull General Cemetery has created a xlsx spreadsheet using the 1976 survey results. Karen Towner our Wildlife Liaison Officer has added some (stock) images and a brief outline of the benefits to the eco-system of each tree. Please feel free to download this spreadsheet using the following link.

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1976 Tree Survey

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Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

by Adminin Volunteers, Wildlife1 Comment on Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
Wildlife Liaison Officer update:

On 24th February I met Andy a representative from the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust to show him around the Hull General Cemetery.  He offered some suggestions which he believed would enhance the cemetery and improve the diversity of wildlife. 

Suggestions

  • Create a woodland glade where wildflower seeds can be sown. This will attract insects, bees, butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies.  A couple of potential areas were identified which had plenty of natural light (See main photograph).
  • Restrict access to some of the lesser used paths. Use barrier plants or woven natural fences of branches.  This would create larger, quieter spaces for wildlife habitat.
  • Replace some of the non-native shrubs with native species.  Remove all rhododendron before it takes over.
  • Pollard the holly to encourage a thicker base and better screening.
  • Plant native honeysuckle and only plant/sow native flowers.
  • Install two Tawny Owl boxes.
  • Extend area of brambles on workhouse mound.
  • Speak to the Council about free delivery of wood-chippings.
  • Do not to cut fallen trees into short pieces. Keep as much of their length of possible/practical.

Summary

Andy said he had never visited the Hull General Cemetery (HGC) before and admitted later that he was sceptical about what he would see.  I am delighted to tell you that he was very impressed with the site. He liked the wood-chip paths, our installation of bat and bird boxes, and the lack of litter.  He was delighted to hear that we had Pipistrelles (bats) visit HCG. As a bonus we also saw a number of birds including a Goldcrest during our walk around the cemetery. This was an excellent visit. We hope to build upon our relationship with the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust for the future.

Karen Towner, Wildlife Liaison Officer.

Wildlife Liaison Officer

by Adminin Volunteers, Wildlife

The Friends of Hull General Cemetery has a new Wildlife Liason Officer, this is a short introductory message from Karen…

“Hello, my name is Karen Towner and I was recently persuaded to take on the vacant role of Wildlife Liaison Officer for Friends of Hull General Cemetery. We see my role as engaging with various wildlife groups and organisations to get the best support and advice so that the Friends of Hull General Cemetery (FoHGC) can deliver the dual task of preserving the valuable historical monuments for future generations and encouraging a diverse wildlife within it.

In August last year (2019), with the help of East Yorkshire Bat Group, we established that we had at least two Pipistrelle bats hunting in the cemetery. We look advice from experts on how we can best support these small mammals and subsequently erected a set of three bat boxes in the autumn. Later in the spring we hope to arrange an evening ‘bat walk’.

I have organised for volunteers from Tophill Low Nature Reserve to undertake a survey of bird species in early March (2020). By that time we will have erected 30 bird nest boxes as well as adding more bat boxes which have kindly been made by some of FoHGC volunteers. There will also be an invitation to Friends and supporters to join the Dawn Chorus walk on Sunday 3 May at 6.30am.

In the summer another volunteer from Tophill Nature Reserve, who lives locally, will assist in identifying and photographing insects and other invertebrates which inhabit Hull General Cemetery (HGC). He has kindly agreed to share his findings and photos with us.

Finally, I am in the process of liaising with other organisations with a view to establishing the best way to maintain and improve the cemetery and flora and fauna within it. I will post regular updates here and on our Facebook page to keep you all informed.”