Wild Raspberries 15th July 2012

I visited my favourite woods today, primarily to pick some wild raspberries. Last year I was picking them two weeks ago, but the awful summer weather this year has made them late.

I found a few and then spied this nice butterfly.

I went to where they were most prolific last year, but was disappointed to find very few. I think what has happened is that areas have been cleared in the autumn to promote the growth of wild flowers and that means some raspberry bushes have been cut down, Now that is not a bad thing as raspberries fruit on old wood. i.e. the first years shoots do not bear fruit and they will fruit the following year. So I'm expecting a bumper crop next year. I found a few and ate them on the hoof!

Spotted this nice honeysuckle where the raspberries used to grow.

Early Mushrooms - 1st July 2012

I went for a walk in my favourite woods, to check out the status of the wild raspberries. Before I got to the raspberries, I found this fungi. I'm pretty sure it's a Wood Mushroom.

It looks and smells very similar to a Field Mushroom. Normally an Autumn species. I guess the damp weather has fooled it. Very edible!

When I eventually reached the raspberries, they were nowhere near ripe. This time last year I was picking them. So, again the weather has fooled them. I reckon it will be a couple of weeks before they are ready.

On a green near my house I found this fungi.

It looks like a Grey Milk-cap in my Roger Phillips book. Supposed to grow under birch trees. It was growing under a tree. I'll check it next time I pass.