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Marvellous Mistletoe!

  • Date: 24/12/2020
  • Category: General

Marvellous Mistletoe!

Over the years several species of animal and plant have become closely associated with the festive season – Santa’s Reindeer, the Robin that appears on Christmas cards and the strands of Holly and Ivy that adorn the beautiful wreathes used to decorate our doors.

A beautiful Mistletoe bough giving a welcome splash of green on a Winters day

I’m extremely fortunate that just a couple of minutes walk from my door, on a neighbouring street, is a wonderful display of another fascinating species closely associated with Winter and Christmas – Mistletoe. Virtually ever tree along a hundred metre stretch sports at least a few boughs of this Yuletide favourite and it’s an amazing sight, even more so given the urban location.

As Autumn progresses and the leaves turn and drop the bunches of Mistletoe become easier to spot until in the dead of Winter, with the trees reduced to their bare bones, the full extent of their floral lodger is revealed. It’s a striking plant with its waxy green leaves and white berries catching the eye and shining bright on a winter’s day. It is this burst of life at the hardest time of the year that made our ancestors associate Mistletoe with rebirth, fertility and the coming of the Sun in Spring. From there its an easy leap to it becoming the symbol of love we know it as today.

Fully laden!

Mistletoe is a hemi parasitic plant that grows on its host tree and extracts food and nutrients from it via a root like structure called a haustorium. It is spread by birds that are attracted to its snow white berries who, once fed, fly to another perch and whilst there potentially deposit the tiny digested seeds onto another branch complete with a blob of natural fertilizer. A neat and elegantly simple solution to reproduction!
Lots of species of birds have been recorded taking Mistletoe berries but perhaps the most well known is the Thrush that bears its name. The large, striking Mistle Thrush is fiercely protective of its Winter berry bushes and can often be seen giving it’s harsh football rattle of a call and chasing off any other birds that dare to encroach on its territory. But this brute has a softer side too and it’s wistful, melancholy song delivered from the highest perches is a real joy and a sure sign Spring is near!

A Mistletoe rich urban road

Wishing all of our lovely clients, followers, friends and family a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year! xxx

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"I had a half-day walk with Antony, hoping to see a Ring Ouzel, and to see Waders in their nesting habitat. I achieved both of these, and saw several other good birds as well, including an owl and several Pied Flycatchers (another first for me). Anthony was not only very knowledgeable but also good company, and I would recommend his walks for anyone who enjoys wildlife but would benefit from some local expertise."
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L Breakwell - Nottingham.
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J Tagg - Derbyshire.
"Thoroughly enjoyed two fantastic nature walks with Antony in September 2020. Loved our walk on the Eastern Moors spotting moorland birds and lots and lots of red deer, just starting their rut. Our second walk was an early morning exploration of the very different habitat of the Derwent river and Cromford Canal. Spent ages watching a beautiful pair of dippers dabbling in the river, a streaking Kingfisher and tons of little Grebe diving in the clear water. Antony was an absolutely brilliant guide. He has amazing knowledge about every single species of bird, mammal and lots of plants across the Peak District and knows exactly where to find them. He has such a friendly and welcoming manner that you never feel you're not 'expert' enough and he patiently answers every question. I would thoroughly recommend a nature walk with Antony to get to know the Peak District through the eyes of a wildlife fan! Very best wishes and see you next spring!"
N Marshall - London.
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D Howson - Derby.
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H Naylor - Derbyshire.

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