The Heat of Summer

The birds behave differently when it's hot. Maybe there are a few mites around that are making them itch but my early morning walk two days ago was characterised by lots of birds doing preening, scratching and general readjustments to their plumage. 

As I was planning on doing some macro shots I only had my 100mm lens with me instead of a 70-300mm which is good for spotting birds. So the shots I took were a little distant. Typical as it was one of the best mornings all year!  Such is life :-)

I hadn't even gone into Piddle Brook Meadows more than 10 feet. The dead tree by the entrance is a favourite spot for a Yellowhammer and he was there as usual, then joined by a Blue Tit and then another Blue tit and finally a Goldfinch.

Yellowhammer

Yellowhammer Plus Blue Tit

Yellowhammer Singing
A Little Bit of Bread And No Cheese

Yellowhammer, Two Blue Tits and a Goldfinch

Hidden in there somewhere a Male Whitethroat

I was glad to see a Whitethroat as it is one of the birds that is supposed to be in Piddle Brook Meadows but they are quite hard to get pictures of. I need a bigger lens next time!

A Coal Tit Preening

Coal Tit

Ladies Bedstraw

 Ladies Bedstraw was used to stuff mattresses and is supposed to deter fleas.
 This is taken from here,

Ladies Bedstraw - Common Names These lovely yellow wildflowers have many common names such as Our Lady's Bedstraw, Yellow Bedstraw. Maid's Hair, Cheese Renning, Cheese Rennet, Petty Mugget. The name "Cheese Rennet" is so called as the plant has the ability to curdle milk and that in the 16th century it was used to turn milk into cheese. Name Derivation for Ladies Bedstraw It is aid that the name comes from the fact that the Virgin Mary placed it in her bed - hence the name “Our Lady’s Bedstraw” - also she used it to help make a soft pillow for the baby Jesus for his head. At any event it is said to have been used to stuff lady's mattresses. These wildflowers were probably used in the mattresses as the plant is said to have properties that would deter insects and fleas. Leaves The leaves have no prickles and are pointed in whorls of 8 - 12 and are shiny dark green. The leaves are single veined. Food for Caterpillars and Moths This plant is a source of food for caterpillars and moths especially liked by the Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth Uses of the Flower Ladys Bedstraw This plant has been used to colour cheese, it has also been used to create both red and yellow dyes and also it has been used to infuse spirits.Placed on wounds it is said to stop bleeding. People also place a part of the plant in their shoes in order to prevent blisters Cleanses the Liver Bedstraw tea cleanses the liver, kidney, pancreas and spleen of toxic wastes. It is also said to be good foe anaemia. The tea used externally is said to help spots and skin disorders and ladies can use it as an astringent on the face. Ladies Bedstraw used in Childbirth History has it Ladies Bedstraw was used for disorders of the uterus. To ease childbirth, it was laid in the bed in their difficult hours.

Comfrey

As a child I used a Comfrey ointment for bruises. There are lots of uses and homeopathically it is used to heal broken bones (providing they are in the right position in the first place). I used it when I broke my back and is probably one of the reasons I didn't realise I had! 

A great plant to use as a green manure - for the best tomatoes a herbalist friend recommended putting the comfrey in a fermenting bin with a tap at the bottom. The herb would rot down and with the addition of water if necessary a nice liquid manure could be extracted from the bottom. It smells quite bad but the tomatoes taste fantastic.

Still Working This One Out

The Queen Vic 

The Naunton Beauchamp Queen Vic looks a little different from how it does on TV...