{"id":297,"date":"2025-11-30T15:18:50","date_gmt":"2025-11-30T15:18:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wildmanchester.co.uk\/blog\/?p=297"},"modified":"2025-12-05T11:40:03","modified_gmt":"2025-12-05T11:40:03","slug":"foraging-field-notes-for-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wildmanchester.co.uk\/blog\/foraging-field-notes-for-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Foraging Field Notes for 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

S. COLE \u2014 FIELD NOTES<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Foraging Log: One Full Year (104 Entries)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Region:<\/strong> Wythenshawe Park, Styal Bank, Hale Moss, River Bollin, agricultural edges South Manchester
Frequency:<\/strong> 2\u00d7 \/ week
Year:<\/strong> Single foraging year<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

JANUARY (Entries 1\u20138)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Map (text)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
[Wythenshawe Park]\n  |\u2013 North Woods (Hazel, Elder)\n  |\u2013 River Edge\n  |\u2013 Old Orchard\n\n[Styal Bank]\n  |\u2013 Bollin Ridge\n  |\u2013 Beech Stand\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Week 1<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
1. Jan 3 \u2014 Wythenshawe Park (North Woods)<\/strong>
Hard frost. Hazel catkins forming but closed. Found jelly ear on elder; firm, good condition. Nettles dormant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Jan 6 \u2014 Styal Bank (Bollin Ridge)<\/strong>
Checked for velvet shank\u2014small clusters on fallen elm. No other fungi. Cleavers shoots just emerging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Week 2<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Jan 10 \u2014 Wythenshawe Park (Old Orchard)<\/strong>
Windfall apples mostly gone. Ground ivy healthy. Collected a small amount for tea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Jan 13 \u2014 Local Countryside (Field Edges nr. Hale)<\/strong>
Rosehips still intact; gathered approx. 300g. Hawthorn shrivelled, no use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Week 3<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Jan 17 \u2014 Styal Bank<\/strong>
Fresh oyster mushrooms on beech trunk; young, pale, non-bugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Jan 20 \u2014 Wythenshawe Park (River Edge)<\/strong>
Wild garlic shoots just visible\u2014too early to harvest. Ground water high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Week 4<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
7. Jan 24 \u2014 Styal Bank<\/strong>
Velvet shank again, slightly waterlogged. Cleavers more established.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8. Jan 27 \u2014 Wythenshawe Park (North Woods)<\/strong>
Jelly ear replenished after rain. Picked small amount; quality good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
FEBRUARY (Entries 9\u201316)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Map<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
[Wythenshawe Park]\n  |\u2013 Central Meadow (Nettles)\n  |\u2013 Stream Cut\n\n[Styal Bank]\n  |\u2013 Lower Path (Ramsons)\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
9. Feb 1 \u2014 Central Meadow<\/strong>
Nettle tips harvestable\u2014first proper greens of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
10. Feb 4 \u2014 Styal Bank (Lower Path)<\/strong>
Ramsons leaves now 3\u20134 cm. Harvest minimal for sustainability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
11. Feb 8 \u2014 Wythenshawe Park<\/strong>
Early birch sap rising; tested with small pruning cut\u2014confirmed flow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
12. Feb 11 \u2014 Local Countryside (Bollin Fields)<\/strong>
Coltsfoot flowers emerging on bare soil patches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
13. Feb 15 \u2014 Styal Bank<\/strong>
Ramsons spreading strongly. Picked handful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
14. Feb 18 \u2014 Wythenshawe Park (Stream Cut)<\/strong>
Cleavers abundant and tender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
15. Feb 22 \u2014 Park Orchard Wall<\/strong>
Herb robert showing. No harvest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
16. Feb 25 \u2014 Countryside Lanes<\/strong>
Gorse blooming; collected small amount of petals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
MARCH (Entries 17\u201324)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Map<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Wythenshawe Park\n |\u2013 Wild Garlic Zone\n |\u2013 Wet Woodland\n\nStyal Bank\n |\u2013 Upper Beech Terrace\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
17. Mar 1 \u2014 Wythenshawe (Garlic Zone)<\/strong>
Ramsons fully in. Harvest good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
18. Mar 4 \u2014 Styal Bank<\/strong>
Oyster flush finished. Beech leaves in bud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
19. Mar 8 \u2014 Wythenshawe (Wet Woodland)<\/strong>
Lesser celandine flowers emerging. Only leaves edible, harvested carefully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
20. Mar 11 \u2014 Countryside (Lane Banks)<\/strong>
Hairy bittercress abundant; mild pepper taste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
21. Mar 15 \u2014 Wythenshawe<\/strong>
Garlic mustard first leaves noticed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
22. Mar 18 \u2014 Styal Bank<\/strong>
Wild garlic carpet dense. Harvest moderate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
23. Mar 22 \u2014 Countryside<\/strong>
Dandelion leaves tender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
24. Mar 25 \u2014 Wythenshawe<\/strong>
Beech buds splitting. Foraged small amount for pickling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
APRIL (Entries 25\u201332)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Map<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Wythenshawe Park\n |\u2013 Orchard\n |\u2013 Northern Beech Line\n\nStyal Bank\n |\u2013 Bollin Path\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
25. Apr 1 \u2014 Orchard<\/strong>
Apple blossom early. Herb robert plentiful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
26. Apr 4 \u2014 Styal Bank<\/strong>
Young beech leaves perfect for \u201cbeech leaf noyau.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
27. Apr 8 \u2014 Wythenshawe<\/strong>
Sweet violets blooming. Light harvest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
28. Apr 11 \u2014 Countryside<\/strong>
Hawthorn budding. Cleavers still tender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
29. Apr 15 \u2014 Wythenshawe<\/strong>
Garlic mustard flowering; leaves spicier now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
30. Apr 18 \u2014 Styal Bank<\/strong>
Ramsons flowering. Picked buds for pickling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
31. Apr 22 \u2014 Countryside (Hale Moss edge)<\/strong>
Boggy ground; found marsh marigold flowers\u2014no harvest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
32. Apr 26 \u2014 Wythenshawe<\/strong>
Nettles tall; harvested tips only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
MAY (Entries 33\u201340)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Map<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Wythenshawe Park\n |\u2013 Meadow Margin\n |\u2013 Old Oaks\n\nStyal Bank\n |\u2013 Ridge Meadow\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
33. May 1 \u2014 Meadow Margin<\/strong>
Jack-by-the-hedge abundant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
34. May 4 \u2014 Styal Bank<\/strong>
Hawthorn leaf & flower at peak\u2014collected small bag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
35. May 8 \u2014 Wythenshawe<\/strong>
Dandelion flowers prolific; harvested for syrup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
36. May 11 \u2014 Countryside (Farmland edges)<\/strong>
Elder coming into flower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
37. May 15 \u2014 Wythenshawe (Old Oaks)<\/strong>
Found chicken of the woods at good stage; bright yellow, soft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
38. May 18 \u2014 Styal Bank<\/strong>
Wood sorrel patches healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
39. May 22 \u2014 Countryside<\/strong>
Elderflower full bloom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
40. May 25 \u2014 Wythenshawe<\/strong>
Cleavers toughening; no longer harvesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
JUNE (Entries 41\u201348)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Map<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Wythenshawe Park\n |\u2013 Orchard\n |\u2013 Stream edge\n\nStyal Bank\n |\u2013 Beech Terrace\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
41. Jun 1 \u2014 Orchard<\/strong>
Unripe apples forming. Meadowsweet appearing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
42. Jun 4 \u2014 Styal Bank<\/strong>
Beech leaves tough now. Wood sorrel still good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
43. Jun 8 \u2014 Wythenshawe (Stream edge)<\/strong>
Meadowsweet harvest (small). Elder flowers finishing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
44. Jun 11 \u2014 Countryside (Bollin Fields)<\/strong>
Red clover abundant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
45. Jun 15 \u2014 Wythenshawe<\/strong>
Nettles flowering; season over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
46. Jun 18 \u2014 Styal Bank<\/strong>
Butterbur large; only stems usable but avoided (taste poor).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
47. Jun 22 \u2014 Countryside<\/strong>
Wild strawberries found sparingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
48. Jun 25 \u2014 Wythenshawe<\/strong>
Lime flowers just opening; picked small amount.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
JULY (Entries 49\u201356)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Map<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Wythenshawe Park\n |\u2013 Central Fields\n |\u2013 Woodland Fringe\n\nStyal Bank\n |\u2013 Riverside\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
49. Jul 1 \u2014 Central Fields<\/strong>
Lime blossom peak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
50. Jul 4 \u2014 Styal Riverside<\/strong>
Meadowsweet heavy bloom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
51. Jul 8 \u2014 Wythenshawe<\/strong>
Brambles forming green berries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
52. Jul 11 \u2014 Countryside<\/strong>
Wild cherries ripe; birds claiming most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
53. Jul 15 \u2014 Styal Bank<\/strong>
Mugwort fully grown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
54. Jul 18 \u2014 Wythenshawe<\/strong>
Found chicken of the woods second flush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
55. Jul 22 \u2014 Countryside<\/strong>
Meadowsweet finishing; yarrow starting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
56. Jul 25 \u2014 Wythenshawe<\/strong>
Blackberries turning red.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
AUGUST (Entries 57\u201364)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Map<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Wythenshawe Park\n |\u2013 Blackberry Ridges\n\nStyal Bank\n |\u2013 High Path\n\nCountryside\n |\u2013 Hedgerows\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
57. Aug 1 \u2014 Wythenshawe<\/strong>
First ripe blackberries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
58. Aug 4 \u2014 Styal Bank<\/strong>
Bilberry patches sparse; collected few.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
59. Aug 8 \u2014 Countryside Hedgerows<\/strong>
Blackberries abundant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
60. Aug 11 \u2014 Wythenshawe<\/strong>
Elderberries forming, still red.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
61. Aug 15 \u2014 Styal Bank<\/strong>
Chanterelle lookalikes observed (false chanterelle) \u2014 left untouched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
62. Aug 18 \u2014 Countryside<\/strong>
Yarrow harvest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
63. Aug 22 \u2014 Wythenshawe<\/strong>
Blackberries peak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
64. Aug 25 \u2014 Styal Bank<\/strong>
Rowan berries bright orange\/red.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
SEPTEMBER (Entries 65\u201372)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Map<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Wythenshawe Park\n |\u2013 Orchard\n |\u2013 Hazel Corners\n\nStyal Bank\n |\u2013 Beech and Birch Mix\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
65. Sep 1 \u2014 Wythenshawe Orchard<\/strong>
Windfall apples gathered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
66. Sep 4 \u2014 Styal Bank<\/strong>
Rowan berries ripe. Collected modest amount.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
67. Sep 8 \u2014 Wythenshawe (Hazel Corners)<\/strong>
Hazelnuts falling. Most predated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
68. Sep 11 \u2014 Countryside<\/strong>
Haws ripening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
69. Sep 15 \u2014 Styal Bank<\/strong>
Early mushrooms: brown birch bolete (good).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
70. Sep 18 \u2014 Wythenshawe<\/strong>
Elderberries ripe; harvested small basket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
71. Sep 22 \u2014 Countryside<\/strong>
Sloes just beginning colour change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
72. Sep 25 \u2014 Styal Bank<\/strong>
Birch boletes again. Some slug damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
OCTOBER (Entries 73\u201380)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Map<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Wythenshawe Park\n |\u2013 Mixed Woodland\n\nStyal Bank\n |\u2013 Bollin Slopes\n\nCountryside\n |\u2013 Hedgerow Clusters\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
73. Oct 1 \u2014 Wythenshawe<\/strong>
Parasol mushroom found\u2014classic features confirmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
74. Oct 4 \u2014 Styal Bank<\/strong>
Fly agaric appearing. Photographed, not touched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
75. Oct 8 \u2014 Countryside Hedgerows<\/strong>
Rosehips at prime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
76. Oct 11 \u2014 Wythenshawe<\/strong>
Wood blewits developing; confirmed lilac gills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
77. Oct 15 \u2014 Styal Bank<\/strong>
Hedgehog mushrooms located (spines beneath cap). Good condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
78. Oct 18 \u2014 Countryside<\/strong>
Sloes harvesting started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
79. Oct 22 \u2014 Wythenshawe<\/strong>
Field mushrooms scattered after rain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
80. Oct 25 \u2014 Styal Bank<\/strong>
Late chanterelles\u2014small find.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
NOVEMBER (Entries 81\u201388)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Map<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Wythenshawe Park\n |\u2013 Wet Woodland\n\nStyal Bank\n |\u2013 Lower Ridge\n\nCountryside\n |\u2013 Old Farmside Trees\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
81. Nov 1 \u2014 Wythenshawe<\/strong>
Blewits continuing. Nettles regrowing lightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
82. Nov 4 \u2014 Styal Bank<\/strong>
Oyster mushrooms return on same beech log.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
83. Nov 8 \u2014 Countryside<\/strong>
Crab apples ripe; collected few kg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
84. Nov 11 \u2014 Wythenshawe<\/strong>
Jelly ear appearing again on elder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
85. Nov 15 \u2014 Styal Bank<\/strong>
Velvet shank early flush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
86. Nov 18 \u2014 Countryside<\/strong>
Late hawthorn berries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
87. Nov 22 \u2014 Wythenshawe<\/strong>
Ground ivy still viable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
88. Nov 25 \u2014 Styal Bank<\/strong>
Frost overnight\u2014mushroom slowdown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Planned DECEMBER (Entries 89\u2013104)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Map<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Wythenshawe Park\n |\u2013 All Sections (Winter Scan)\n\nStyal Bank\n |\u2013 Riverbank\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
89. Dec 1 \u2014 Wythenshawe<\/strong>
Jelly ear healthy; frost-resistant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
90. Dec 4 \u2014 Styal Bank<\/strong>
Velvet shank orange clusters. Good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
91. Dec 7 \u2014 Countryside<\/strong>
Rosehips still firm\u2014late-season batch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
92. Dec 10 \u2014 Wythenshawe<\/strong>
Nettles dormant. Elder stems clean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
93. Dec 13 \u2014 Styal Bank<\/strong>
Minimal activity. Cleavers seed burrs falling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
94. Dec 16 \u2014 Countryside<\/strong>
Yarrow still available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
95. Dec 19 \u2014 Wythenshawe<\/strong>
Found fresh oyster mushrooms (rare for December).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
96. Dec 21 \u2014 Styal Bank<\/strong>
Beech mast mostly eaten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
97. Dec 24 \u2014 Wythenshawe<\/strong>
Ground ivy harvest for winter tea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
98. Dec 27 \u2014 Countryside<\/strong>
Frost-heaved soil, no finds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
99. Dec 28 \u2014 Styal Bank<\/strong>
Velvet shank final harvest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
100. Dec 29 \u2014 Wythenshawe<\/strong>
Jelly ear steady.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
101. Dec 30 \u2014 Countryside<\/strong>
Rosehip remnants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
102. Dec 31 (AM) \u2014 Wythenshawe<\/strong>
Cold, no new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
103. Dec 31 (PM) \u2014 Styal Bank<\/strong>
Final seasonal sweep. Oyster clusters small.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
104. Dec 31 (Night) \u2014 Home notes<\/strong>
Season summary logged; drying cabinet loaded with final mushrooms.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
S. COLE \u2014 FIELD NOTES Foraging Log: One Full Year (104 Entries) Region: Wythenshawe Park, Styal Bank, Hale Moss, River Bollin, agricultural edges South ManchesterFrequency: 2\u00d7 \/ weekYear: Single foraging year JANUARY (Entries 1\u20138) Map (text) Week 1 1. Jan 3 \u2014 Wythenshawe Park (North Woods)Hard frost. Hazel catkins forming but closed. Found jelly ear […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":315,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19,51],"tags":[70,71,16,48],"class_list":["post-297","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-natures-bounty","category-self-sufficiency","tag-allotment","tag-field-notes","tag-food","tag-harvest-plan"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildmanchester.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/297","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildmanchester.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildmanchester.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildmanchester.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildmanchester.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=297"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/wildmanchester.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/297\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":300,"href":"https:\/\/wildmanchester.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/297\/revisions\/300"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildmanchester.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/315"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildmanchester.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=297"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildmanchester.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=297"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildmanchester.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=297"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}