I consider early cemetaries (18th-19thc.) to be important habitat in central New England. Digging graves in rocky, bony damp soils is miserable work and so cemetaries were commonly located in sandy, well-drained knolls with sunny aspects. In addition to their historical value, one should consider them as potential turtle nesting habitat.
In spite of the mosquitoes, old off-the-beaten-path cemetaries make for pleasant spots in late May and June to picnic and find a female turtle in search of "her spot". Ann ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ E. Ann Poole, CWS Poole Ecological Consultancy PO Box 890, 741 Beard Rd Hillsborough, NH 03244 (603)478-1178 [email protected] www.eannpoole.com ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
