N Notes ature


Christmas berries W


e are all familiar with the fruiting berries of autumn with brilliant displays of hanging fruit from rowans,


the tighter clumps of holly and the deeper red of hawthorns all designed to attract the attention of birds such as fieldfare and redwing arriving from further north. However, there are other, perhaps less known berries that can be found in hedgerows, woodlands and sea cliffs. One of the less well known is the seed cluster of Stinking Iris, Iris foetidissima. One of only two native iris, the other being Yellow Iris, Iris pseudacorus, it has a dull, leaden blue flower which can be easily overlooked during June. However, the autumn seed capsules are spectacular – large pods often over 3 inches long contain up to twenty scarlet berries and remain on the plant throughout the winter being ignored by birds. It is known as “stinking” because some people find the smell of its leaves unpleasant when crushed or bruised, an odour that has been described as “beefy”; hence another alternative name of roast beef plant. Catholic in habitat, it can be found in many


Stinking Iris © Sarah Smith


places. In Devon it is common below the cliffs at Strete on the edge of the shingle and is also found inland in hedge banks – there is a large number of plants in the staverton area and with a bit of searching should not be hard to find locally to Dartmouth. It is, perhaps, surprisingly widespread from south of Durham throughout Britain across Western Europe and into North Africa. A more delicate berry cluster is the Spindleberry Euonymus


europaeus. The tree will grow up to 20 feet in height but is generally smaller when found in hedgerows. The flowers are inconspicuous but after being pollinated by insects, the capsular fruit ripens in autumn, and is red to purple or pink in colour and approximately 1-1.5 cm wide. When ripe, the four lobes split open to reveal the orange seeds. It is less widespread in Devon due to its preference for nutrient rich chalk soils which can be found in East Devon.


© Maigheach-gheal Spindleberry All images use


What to look for in January and February


The wildlife around early in the New Year will be heavily dependent on the weather from the previous month or so. Mild weather would bring out early spring flowers with lesser celandines being to the for; indeed, last year they were out well before Christmas. A spell of freezing weather, particularly in Northern Europe, will bring more unusual birds into the region as well as boosting those already wintering here. Look for shy redwings, brambling (northern counterpart of chaffinch) and even snipe and woodcock coming into gardens. Stormy weather could bring unusual seabirds into Torbay – two years ago this resulted in a rare white billed diver sheltering off Broadsands and feeding in Brixham Harbour alongside unprecedented numbers of great northern divers.


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