Ratby Church
The sandstone and granite walls of the church are covered in lichens. The boundary granite wall is also an interesting habitat with Maidenhair Spleenwort, Wall-rue and Black Spleenwort, as well as several mosses. The grassland is of interest with numerous wildflowers such as Orange Hawkweed and seasonally there are a range of fungi to be found.
Total species seen at this site: 213
The Ratby Church Eco-team are creating a wildflower meadow in parts of the churchyard. Two areas are being left unmown to see what grows there naturally. It is hoped to introduce other suitable species next season.
The Parish Church of St. Philip and St. James has Norman origins. A Yew tree outside the main entrance has been approximately dated and is believed to be around 2,000 years old, suggesting there may have been an older place of worship at this site. The churchyard is mainly mown grass with many headstones, the older ones are made of slate.
Latest records
| Common Name | Latin Name | Date Recorded | Recorded By | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hummingbird Hawk-moth | Macroglossum stellatarum | 30/06/2017 | MFBraker | |
| Orange Tip | Anthocharis cardamines | 01/05/2017 | Susan Boud | |
| Chestnut Slug | Deroceras invadens | 20/03/2017 | David Nicholls | |
| Netted Slug | Deroceras reticulatum | 20/03/2017 | David Nicholls | |
| Arion ater agg. | 20/03/2017 | David Nicholls | ||
| Garden Slug | Arion hortensis | 20/03/2017 | David Nicholls | |
| Wall Screw-moss | Tortula muralis | 20/03/2017 | David Nicholls | |
| Grey-cushioned Grimmia | Grimmia pulvinata | 20/03/2017 | David Nicholls | |
| Irish Yellow Slug | Limacus maculatus | 20/03/2017 | David Nicholls | |
| Yellow Meadow Ant | Lasius flavus | 20/03/2017 | David Nicholls | |
| Ant Woodlouse | Platyarthrus hoffmannseggi | 20/03/2017 | David Nicholls | |
| Great Hairy Screw-moss | Syntrichia ruralis subsp. ruralis | 20/03/2017 | David Nicholls | |
| Springy Turf-moss | Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus | 20/03/2017 | David Nicholls | |
| Common Feather-moss | Kindbergia praelonga | 20/03/2017 | David Nicholls | |
| Whitish Feather-moss | Brachythecium albicans | 20/03/2017 | David Nicholls | |
Access is via Church Lane (note this is one-way).
