Sloes?

[Za]

Hi all, I have found loads of trees full of these berries, are they sloes? Nothing seems to be eating them.

[pammosley]

Hi Za, looks like it. Pick them & put them in some gin & sugar & leave it a while, lovely

[Za]

I was considering picking a load of them, but thought I`d leave them as there is probably something that will need them over the winter period, although nothing seemed to be paying any attention too them. Ill have a look in another few weeks and if nothing has claimed them, then they are mine!

[Dorts]

Many birds will eat Sloes, but often leave them until mid-winter to early spring. It allows for a longer-lasting food supply if fruits and berries are best for eating at different times.

But I don't see a problem if you take some as long as plenty are best for the birds.
Dorts.

[Littlesparrow]

You can substitute the sloes and use damsons in the gin with some sugar, thats if its not too late to find any damsons in the supermarket. should be ready for Xmas. Don't try eating sloes, in their natural state they are yucky.

[Billabong Karen]

You really wont need a whole lot to make sloe gin... and a bottle of sloe gin makes a great Christmas gift! Always supposing you dont succumb to temptation and end up drinking it yourself, of course (I speak from experience! )

And you can enjoy watching the birds eating the rest in January/February.

[aeshna5]

I was watching a Grey Squirrel feed on a sloe yesterday- it didn't appear to be deterred by the bitterness.

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

I was watching a Grey Squirrel feed on a sloe yesterday- it didn't appear to be deterred by the bitterness.

aeshna5, just out of interest, did you happen to notice whether it opened the 'stone' and ate the seed inside?
Dorts.

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by Za

Hi all, I have found loads of trees full of these berries, are they sloes? Nothing seems to be eating them.

Try eating one and you'll have to go to casualty to get your mouth un-puckered!

;^)

Jim

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Dorts

aeshna5, just out of interest, did you happen to notice whether it opened the 'stone' and ate the seed inside?
Dorts.

Unfortunately I wasn't that observant Dorts, but did seem to be eating the flesh.