Never Work With Wildlife

So the saying goes never work with wildlife or children when filming.  Possibly the same could be said for taking guided walks around the reserve.  There is a Holly tree in the hedgerow across the moor.  It is always covered in red berries.  They must look appealing to the birds, like the migrant Blackbirds, Fieldfares and Redwings after their long journey.  However the berries are rarely eaten and the tree remains with its bright red jewels right through the winter.  If the weather is severe then the birds may feed on them.  We decided that the berries must not taste nice.  One walk I was just explaining all of this when I realised that the tree was bare, not a berry in sight!

It is still covered at the minute!

Another tree that caught me out was Guelder Rose.  The berries are not eaten by the birds, I explained to the visitors.  A Blackbird was then seen enjoying a feast on the back garden Guelder Rose berries!

One tree that always stands out is the fruiting Spindle with its pink outer coat and orange covered seed.  They are almost over now but there is still one or two  orange seeds to be seen.