Nature

Urban green spaces

North Merchiston is an old cemetery, which is rarely used for burials now. It has become a haven for wildlife and the aim is to manage the area with nature in mind.  Most of the cemetery is wooded. There are a number of burial mounds, which are open areas of grassland, rich in plants.

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 (pictured)
  • Tits – Great, Coal, Blue, Long Tailed
  • Chaffinch
  • Great Spotted Woodpecker
  • Sparrowhawk
  • Buzzard
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Mammals

There are a surprising number of mammals to be found at the cemetery.

Species include

  • Grey Squirrel
  • Albino Grey Squirrel (pictured)
  • Stoats
  • Fox

trees

North Merchiston Cemetery has a wide selection of native and introduced species.

  • Sycamore
  • Birch
  • Linden (Lime)
  • Dogwood
  • Laburnum
  • Horse Chestnut
  • Elm (pictured)

butterflies

  • Ringlet butterflies
  • Speckled Wood 
  • Small Tortoiseshells (pictured)
  • Peacock
  • Orange Tip

moths

  • Cinnabar moths
  • Green Longhorn moth (pictured)
  • Ashy Button Moth
  • Nettle Tag moth

Hoverflies

  • Marmalade Hoverfly (pictured)
  • Pellucid Hoverfly
  • Banded Hoverfly
  • Footballer Hoverfly

wild flowers

  • Rosebay Willowherb
  • Lords and Ladies
  • Buttercups
  • Daisies
  • White Clover
  • Common Spotted Orchid (pictured)
  • Cuckoo flower
  • White clover
  • Lesser Celadine
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ladybirds

  • Pine Ladybirds
  • 2-spot
  • 10-spot
  • Cream spot ladybirds (pictured)
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Other insects

  • Waxwing Lacewings
  • Click Beetles
  • Red Legged Shield Bug (pictured)
  • Tree Bumblebee
  • St Mark’s Fly