Nature
Urban green spaces
The importance of cemeteries as urban green spaces is often overlooked. Relatively untouched by surrounding urban development, cemeteries often act as green oases, providing a range of important natural habitats for many different – and often rare – plant life and animals.
What to expect
birds
There are numerous bird species using the cemetery.
- Robin
- Tits – Great, Coal, Blue, Long Tailed
- Chaffinch
- Woodpecker
- Sparrowhawk
- Buzzard
Mammals
There are a surprising number of mammals to be found at the cemetery.
Species include
- Grey Squirrel
- Albino Grey Squirrel
- Stoats
- Fox
trees
North Merchiston Cemetery has a wide selection of native and introduced species.
- Sycamore
- Birch
- Linden (Lime)
- Dogwood
- Laburnum
- Horse Chestnut
- Elm
butterflies
- Ringlet butterflies
- Speckled Wood
- Tortoiseshells
- Peacock
moths
- Cinnabar moths
- Common birch bell
shield bugs
Red-legged shieldbugs
wild flowers
Many beautiful and delicate species of flowers can be found in the cemetery, such as this Common Spotted Orchid.
- Rosebay Willowherb
- Lords and Ladies
- Buttercups
- Daisies
- White Clover
lady bugs
- Pine Ladybirds
- 2-spot
- 10-spot
- Cream spot ladybirds
Other insects
There are so many different species of insect in the cemetery including this Marmalade Hoverfly
- Waxwing Lacewings
- Hoverflies
- Click Beetles
- Pale-footed pipiza (hoverfly)