Yam

Around the reservoir at Mapperley, there are several old hedges, constructed by 'laying' the Hawthorn and Blackthorn bushes.  Straggling through these hedges, there are at the moment, lots of Black Bryony (Dioscorea communis) plants.  A member of the Yam family, it is quite common in the UK.

The large, glossy green, heart-shaped leaves are unmistakable, but the small flowers of this climbing plant are easily overlooked.  Only a few millimetres across and pale green in colour, they are rather inconspicuous.

Somewhat closer to the ground and rather more easily found are the bright yellow flowers of the Creeping Cinquefoil (Potentilla reptans).  This plant belongs to the rose family.

Later, sitting at the computer writing this, I seemed to be getting the feeling that I was being watched....  A young Magpie (Pica pica) was the culprit, peering in through the window at me.