Just a bit inaccessible for hungry birds,
this bunch of ivy berries was hanging out of sight under the leaves.
They look tasty but are not good for humans.
This is one of the reasons ivy is good for wildlife: it keeps its berries through the winter into the spring when other plants berry up in the late summer.
Similarly it flowers late, providing nectar in autumn while most other plants flower in spring and early summer.
And, of course ivy is a good place to shelter for birds, spiders and the caterpillars of the holly blue butterfly in summer.
You will have seen holly blue butterflies this spring when they choose holly to lay their eggs on. Later in the year is when they lay on ivy.
Here's one on a hazel leaf.
This is one of the reasons ivy is good for wildlife: it keeps its berries through the winter into the spring when other plants berry up in the late summer.
Similarly it flowers late, providing nectar in autumn while most other plants flower in spring and early summer.
And, of course ivy is a good place to shelter for birds, spiders and the caterpillars of the holly blue butterfly in summer.
You will have seen holly blue butterflies this spring when they choose holly to lay their eggs on. Later in the year is when they lay on ivy.
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