[ConfusedGardener]

Can anyone tell me what plant these berries are from? The leaves are little like holly but not as spiky/stiff, the berries are loved by birds, and stain red when crushed.

I'd like to germinate the seeds from these berries. What would be the best way to do this?

[brianbishop]

It looks like a berberous to me!
Bish

[New shoot]

I thought Mahonia    If the leaves are very small, it could be, but if they are large, it is Mahonia for sure.

Mahonia is best done from stem cuttings.  Have you got access to some cutting material? 

[ConfusedGardener]

Thanks for the replies guys. I googled Mahonia, and that is indeed it! Thanks for the advice to take cuttings too. I should be able to go back to where we found it and snip a cutting or two 

[Maarten]

Birds like the beries, and also (bumble)bees love Mahonia flowers. Great for wildlife.

[ConfusedGardener]

Birds like the beries, and also (bumble)bees love Mahonia flowers. Great for wildlife.

Yup. That's why I want some in our garden  We have some borage going already (another bee favorite) and just bought our first buddleia. Also got a very old (and rare it seems - I can't find anything like it on the interweb) creeping geranium that bees and hoverflies adore. I think I might start a new thread to try and get more suggestions for wildlife friendly plants.