Call for volunteers

Are you local to Nunhead Cemetery? They need help monitoring birds found on site, get in touch with The Friends of Nunhead Cemetery if you’re interested.

Although the current bird populations in Nunhead cemetery are shrouded in mystery, Jeff recalls one of his most memorable encounters. In the late 1980s, he organised an ‘Owl Prowl’ through the graveyard at night

He played Barn Owl calls through a recorder as he led the group deeper into the cemetery, knowing there was a slim chance of hearing a response. But, as soon as he pressed play, a Barn Owl immediately called back. It launched off the spire of the chapel and swooped right above them, silhouetted against the moon. This was a moment Jeff would never forget, I felt the magic in the story as he told it.

The Borough of Southwark, where Nunhead is situated, is one of the most deprived in the country. Having these spaces for nature to thrive, gives its residents the opportunity to interact with birds in a way that can harbour a love for the natural world. Everyone deserves the right to nature, and urban cemeteries provide a dense, wild space in the midst of the capital.

Highgate, Kensal Green, West Norwood and Brompton cemeteries perhaps feel less wild than the ones I have mentioned, so far. But they still offer excellent opportunities to explore urban bird populations

They’re all managed slightly differently, each bringing something unique to the table. A day-out at any of these cemetery parks is a perfect combination of wildlife, plant life and history, all drenched in local heritage.

Search the ‘Friends of’ groups for more information on each cemetery, how to get there and ways you can volunteer.