In search of the natives

Native Juniper and Aspen 

Bog Myrtle or Sweet Gale

Well established Polypody on Oak

Yesterday I had a trip across to Holystone common with IRD to look at some native trees. In the Northumberland uplands Juniper (Juniperus communis) is thinly distributed as a native species and native Aspen (Populus tremula) are hard to find but they are easy to see at Holystone common.  Bog Myrtle (Myrica gale) is locally abundant in the Holystone and Harbottle areas and even at this time of year these plants are aromatic. Not many birds around but there were a few flocks of Crossbills which included many young birds and plenty of Willow warblers singing. I saw my first Swallow this year at Pepperhaugh.