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David

Already forming: hazel catkins

Already forming: hazel catkins

The nuts on hazels aren’t ripe yet. Soon, they’ll all be eaten by squirrels before they get ripe. But next year’s catkins are already beginning to form, seen here on pictures taken early this month.

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David

Alder seed, Barley Field

Alder seed, Barley Field

Clusters of alder seeds, gathered together at the ends of twigs into structures which look look a bit like cones, though the trees are not conifers.

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David

More giant polypore, Bantock Park

More giant polypore, Bantock Park

More views of clusters of giant polypore fungus at the base of one of the tall beeches in Bantock Park (a freshly-emerged cluster shown here).

More giant polypore, Bantock Park

Probably not a good omen for the tree. The fungus is one of those which causes white rot.

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David

Red rowan, yellow rowan

Red rowan, yellow rowan

It’s looking like it’s going to be a good year for rowan (mountain ash) berries. All the trees locally seem to be carrying heavy crops, ripening well

Red rowan, yellow rowan

The red berries are from one of the trees on the edge of the Barley Field; the yellow, which grow on an ornamental, cultivated variety, from West Park.

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David

Scruffy shaggy parasols, Old Nursery Wood

Scruffy shaggy parasols, Old Nursery Wood

A pair of rather scruffy looking shaggy parasol mushrooms growing by one of the footpaths through Old Nursery Wood.

Scruffy shaggy parasols, Old Nursery Wood

Forming a popular meal for inhabitantsof the wood. Most of the skin of one cap had been nibbled away, as well as part of the rim.

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David

Black sheep, white sheep, Northycote

Black sheep, white sheep, Northycote

Still very little livestock out at Northycote Farm recently. The only mammals wre a small group of sheep, eagerly waiting to be fed as I was going around.

Black sheep, white sheep, Northycote