Join us for an easy stroll around this wildlife rich urban oasis on Wednesday 22nd April 2026 in the company of experienced wildlife guide Antony Pooles of Natural Derbyshire Tours.
Free, no need to book. Joining instructions below.
The rich and varied habitats of Derby’s largest cemetery means this green site is an important refuge for lots of wildlife with plenty to see year round though Spring is one of the best times to take a walk here.
By April the breeding season for our resident bird species will be in full swing and the cemetery is a great place to come and experience our Spring species in full song with Blackbird, Song Thrush and the tiny but loud Wren competing for your attention whilst Great Spotted Woodpeckers drum and Nuthatch sing from the upper branches of the trees. Closer to the ground our Green Woodpeckers, one of cemeteries star species, will be heard giving their yaffling call and feeding on the Ants that will be becoming active in the warming soil. Resident Buzzards and Sparrowhawk can be spotted overhead with Red Kite an increasingly common sight. Our first Spring migrants – Chiffchaff, Blackcap and possibly our scrub loving Lesser Whitethroat – will have also begun to arrive.
The cemetery is a riot of colour at this time of year with lemon yellow Primroses, Celandines, Bluebells and Violets carpeting areas of graves amongst stands of bright yellow Daffodils. While the fresh green of newly unfurling leaves is most welcome after the muted winter palette. The flowers are an attractive and important food source for emerging invertebrates with Queen Bumblebees and spring Butterflies such as Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell, Holly Blue and Comma taking advantage of the nectar with the possibility of an early Orange-tip or two.
Meet at the chapel at 9am for a prompt start.
Duration: 1.5 – 2 hours
Free – though any donations to Friends of Nottingham Road Cemetery are most welcome!
No need to book, just turn up on the day. If you are coming, please comment below to give us an idea of numbers.
Parking: Please use the main Cemetery car park off Nottingham Road. If you arrive before it opens, you can park on the road behind the fire station.
Please dress appropriately for the weather. Antony will have a spotting scope for all to share and a couple of pairs of binoculars to borrow but please bring your own if you have them!