Ryde Social Heritage Group research the social history of the citizens of Ryde, Isle of Wight. Documenting their lives, businesses and burial transcriptions.
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Bird Walk 23 May 2015

Bird Watchers led By Richard Smout
Bird Watchers led By Richard Smout

Members of Ryde Social Heritage group hosted a well attended bird walk at Ryde Cemetery on Saturday afternoon, 23 May 2015. Richard Smout led the group of about 20 enthusiastic bird watchers and families who spotted 16 different species, including two buzzards, which were seen gliding overhead high up in the sky, looking for potential food to dive on. A raven’s nest was also spotted on the tower of nearby All Saints’ Church. Overhead black-headed and herring gulls, and three swifts were spotted. Heard but not seen were a magpie and wren.

The list of different birds seen in the cemetery grounds is: wood pigeon, collard dove, greenfinch, goldfinch, starling, jackdaw, carrion crow, blue-tit, song thrush, feral pigeon and blackbird. During the morning the green woodpecker had also been spotted at the Pellhurst Road end of the cemetery by people tending their loved ones graves but he had gone into hiding by the afternoon.

During the afternoon members of the IW Natural History and Archaeological Society were on site to conduct a Botanical Study in the cemetery grounds.

Tea and cakes were served in the Learning Centre throughout the afternoon. RSHG’s spring exhibition was open in the South Chapel and all our research folders and books were available for browsing.

Thanks to Richard for a very pleasant and entertaining afternoon’s walk and his expertise in identifying the birds, to John Martin, cemetery sexton, and to all RSHG volunteers who helped visitors and made the tea.