The undisturbed, unfertilised grass at St. Deniol’s is ideal for fungi to colonise, and a variety of mushrooms and toadstools are likely to be seen in the autumn. Fungi are neither plants nor animals - they belong to a separate kingdom of their own. Many grow on rotting wood, leaves or fruits and even on the decaying remains of animals. Look out for different coloured waxcaps, Earth’s tongues, fairy rings (naturally occurring rings or arcs of mushrooms), Fairy clubs and puffballs.

There are Pipistrelle bats Pipistrellus pipistrellus roosting in the church building, and it has been known on occasion for a bat to fly in to the church and join the congregation! The hedge and mature trees nearby provide a good foraging site and clear flight path. The rough grass provides a lovely bird habitat, providing a source of insects and seeds and encouraging species such as the Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs. Many butterflies visit in summer, attracted by the meadow wildflowers.

A section of the iron railings around the church was
damaged when the cross fell from the roof in 2009. The oak
peg holding it in place had rotted. The cross has now been
more securely replaced in its former position!

Look out for...

	Mosses and lichens on the church walls and hedges.		Small mammals such as voles, shrews and moles.
	Foxes - evidence of which have been seen in the field.		Frogs, toads and even Great Crested Newts (a protected species) from the ponds nearby.

St Deiniol, Eyton Management Plan - click here