Wild Cornwall No.83 - Autumn 2000

LIVING CHURCHYARDS

Mardi Tempest recently undertook a survey of the flowering plants in Gunwalloe churchyard. No ferns were found but amidst the typical churchyard flora were many seaside plants including buckshorn plantain, sea plantain, thrift, sea carrot, common mallow, sea campion, rock sea spurrey and those mentioned below in Ann Skidmore's report.

The appeal of the churchyard of Gunwalloe Church lies not in the diversity or rarity of its flora and fauna but in its position so close to the beach and cliffs, separated only by the wall. The bell tower stands apart, built into the natural rock over the sixth-century cell of St Winwalloe. What an ideal position he chose, with the seashore to provide him with food, the freshwater stream for drinking and baptising, and the rocky outcrops to shelter him from the worst of the weather. Bronze Age barrows form undulations on the nearby golf course, while the ramparts of an Iron Age hill fort form a backdrop, and the cemetery lies over a medieval settlement. It has been a favourite place for both pagans and Christians for hundreds of years.

A hedge of tamarisk provides a modicum of shelter for the church, while the churchyard and Cornish hedges contain the same flora as the dunes and cliffs around them. Did St Winwalloe use bedstraw for his pillow and eat rock samphire, sea beet and scurvy grass with his seafood?

Generations of rabbits have burrowed and undermined the walls, turning up shards of pottery and pieces of bone from time to time. Sparrows and starlings nest under the eaves and even in the porch, and kestrels regularly patrol the area. In spite of all this, the most repeated comment in the Church Visitors' Book is "such a peaceful place"!

Ann Skidmore

OTTERS AND RIVERS PROJECT

People often ask if we have sea otters as well as river otters in Cornwall. In the UK we only have one species of otter - the European otter Lutra lutra, also referred to as the river otter. However, the river otter does use the sea, so you may be lucky enough to see an otter in the sea in Cornwall.

Fresh water is absolutely essential though, as sea water can have two dramatic effects on an otter. Salt crystals develop in the otter's fur, causing guard hairs to clump together and reducing its waterproof qualities. As the fur becomes more matted, insulation properties are reduced, which can result in hypothermia. On leaving the sea, an otter rubs itself dry, squirming on the ground or against rocks, and removes remaining salt crystals in fresh water later. Otters may actually like to go in the sea, as salt water could be unfavourable to parasites.

Very little research has been conducted in England on the use of the coast by otters (most of it having been carried out in Scotland). This provides us with

an excellent opportunity to do some coastal research in Cornwall and to put our otters on the map. This summer and autumn, with some funding from Pennon and The Wildlife Trusts' OARP, and support from the Environment Agency, Beth Simmons is conducting the first stage and assessing how much otters are using the coast around the county. If you have seen an otter near the coast, please do ring in and tell us. The next stage will be to determine exactly what these otters are eating - a smelly job but someone may volunteer to do it...

Kate Stokes

BAT GROUP

Our regular surveys of hibernation sites over the last winter turned up two more barbastelles: one at Bude and one at Pillaton. A Brandt's bat was found at Chapel Porth, while Natterer's and Daubenton's were also found hibernating underground along with the usual greater and lesser horseshoes.

Spring records included a noctule colony in a hole in a sweet chestnut tree, found by Dave Thomas at Colan, with 22 present on 15th May. This roost was located by chattering coming from the hole. The Bat Group would be very interested to hear of any records of bat colonies in bee holes as these are under-recorded.

The group has also continued a strong education and conservation drive with a presence at the Royal Cornwall Show and many other events. We have recently produced a

range of information leaflets aimed at people who may be working in roofs and find bats. You might see these in local DIY shops. Our Bat Helpline is still as busy as ever, dealing with a huge range of bat conservation problems. You can find our numbers in the business section of the telephone directory under Bat Helpline! The Cornwall Bat Group is a completely voluntary group and we always welcome new members.

Daniel Eva

Cornwall Wildlife Trust