Bumper Harvest for Wildlife
- 4 days ago
- 1 min read
The warm spring gave our countryside trees a head start in processing the energy needed to flower and fruit, making it a stable year for berries and hinting at a late summer feast for our local wildlife.
Many hedgerows are sporting bulging blackberry bushes and quickly ripening hawthorn berries, but there are many fruiting plants which are equally important for wildlife.
Guelder rose berries
This small tree is found in a variety of habitats, but commonly seen in hedgerows. They sport pretty white flowers in spring, and bright red berries in the autumn. Except we’ve already seen fully ripened berries in Staffordshire this year.
Rowan berries
This August rowan berries in the county are in their full glory, weighing down tree boughs and gleaming like brightly coloured gems. A favourite of waxwings, redwings, and thrushes, these fiery berries are a feast for feathered friends and a clue to indicate a good birding spot.
Blackthorn sloes
Many will be familiar with the welcome sight of blackthorn’s first delicate blooms in the spring, and cheering sloe gin in late winter. But at this time of year it’s wildlife that gets the first crack at the harvest, with black birds and thrushes taking advantage of early ripening fruits.
To find out What's on at Staffordshire Wildlife Trust visit https://www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk/events
Bumper Harvest for Wildlife - created 23.8.25
