Some Meadow Flowers and the return of the Red Kite

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 The wildflower meadow is about at its best. I thought it worth listing some of the more abundant flowers at the moment. There is lots of "Self Heal'. As the name implies this was used as a wound dressing and for other medicinal purposes. Apparently it is edible for anybody who likes things that taste like lettuce (that wouldn't be me).


Another plant doing well that is a sign of undisturbed meadows is the great Burnett. This is a member of the rose family and it's characteristic seeds heads were once used to make wine in Cumbria (that's a bit more like it).

And finally we have some St John's Wort.This plant has been used for centuries to treat some mental disorders- especially depression.It is supposed to be good for seasonal affective disorder but has a serious side effect when used in combination with some other drugs and its use is banned in some countries (France for example)


Diary
Saw a stoat yesterday running along the wall. This is an old photo but is taken in the same place.

This morning I saw a red kite being harried by a sparrowhawk. I was out dog walking so no camera but I managed this heavily cropped shot with my phone which is recognisable.

This is only the third time this year that I have seem a red kite here (and I haven't seen them before this year). The last time I saw the red kite was 20th April.
No camera traps last night - I got over excited by England doing well at football and it went out of my mind!
Interesting to see that the UK Govt is thinking of removing protection for some plants and animals to make it easier for developers to build houses. Boris Johnson decried the fact that development was being held up by "newt counters". Bah! I didn't vote for him!







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