Oak and ash fruits

 If you can find an oak tree with branches near the ground you may be able to spot the tiny nodules that will later become acorns.

They are a bit hard to see but look for the long, bare stalks.  Those little lumps are embryonic acorns. (Actually the acorns are now fully formed as I took these photos in June)

Ash trees are more precocious and have already formed their ash keys, though they are not ripe yet.

BEE-yootiful Bramble

Bramble flowers are a top nectar source for bees, butterflies, hoverflies and many other invertebrates.

The flowers can vary from pure white to rosy pink. 

But the flowers are mostly over now and the blackberries are ripening at Filnore amongst other places, so get out and pick some.

Fire damage

A fire in the old tree nursery at Filnore has seriously damaged at least one tree.

Fires under trees damage branches, bark and roots.

They seem to be on the increase.  

Here are the remains of another one.

The damage doesn't always show until much later.

Dropping cigarette ends in the dry weather we have been having is risky.

Why do smokers think it's OK to drop their refuse for others to enjoy 

wherever they happen to be standing 

anyway?

Hedge woundwort

Hedge woundwort (Stachys sylvatica) is in the nettle family but it does not sting.  However try smelling the crushed leaves.  Phew !

Perforate St John's Wort

Perforate St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) can be found at Filnore Woods under the pylon cables and also near post 10 in the Valley Woodland.  The flowers are just opening.

We have another Hypericum called Tutsan (Hypericum androsaemum) at Filnore near post 13.

And you may know Hypericum calycinum, the Rose of Sharon, which is a ground cover garden plant with much bigger flowers.

Hemlock - BEWARE

Flowering at the same time as Hogweed, Hemlock can be recognised 

by its more ferny leaves and above all by the purple blotches on the stem.

There is quite a lot at Filnore so take some time to get to know it.  As it is so poisonous we should all be able to recognise it.

Buttercups for tea

These creeping buttercups are so ordinary ..  ..  ..  

..  ..  ..  but they are very popular with tiny beetles and wasps.