Snowberry

On this day last year, we were experiencing plunging temperatures and the sight of sparkling frost on the leaves.  This year, after the slightly cooler day yesterday and a slight frost the night before, it was back to mild dampness albeit brightened by the bright sunshine which was hanging very low in the sky. The hedgerows are filled with berries, waiting to be stripped by the winter birds.  I have mentioned these on a number of occasions, but they always bare further investigation.  The Snowberries (Symphoricarpos albus) are particularly obvious in their whiteness.

Native to North America and naturalised in Britain, they have colonised the hedgerows and their chunky fruits look juicy and ripe, just ready to help the birds survive the winter ahead.

Far more numerous in the hedgerows around these parts, are the Pyracantha bushes.  More numerous are their berries too.