Thursday, 15 August 2013
Den building
A beautiful den in the Fleet Pond picnic area. What is your favourite thing to do in the countryside?
Rowan tree
This is a rowan tree or mountain ash. It has lots of yummy berries which are loved by mistle thrushes and Waxwings. The wood was often used to make handles for tools or cart wheels. The rowan has many associations with magic and witches. Its old celtic name is 'fid na ndruad' which means wizards tree. In Ireland it was planted near houses to protect them against spirits, especially of the dead. In Wales rowans were often planted in churchyards. In Scotland there was a strong taboo against cutting down a rowan. The wood was seen as the most protective part and was used for stirring milk (to prevent it curdling), as a pocket charm against rheumatism and made into divining rods. The protective power is thought to come from the bright red berries, as red was thought to be the best colour for fighting evil. The only place that still retains some rowan rituals is the Isle of Man
Chicken of the Woods
The signs of Autumn lots of fungi coming up on Harts countryside sites. This is called Chicken of the woods what a great name!
What am I?
I have eyelids, I don't have a distinct head, i don't have legs and I will shed my tail if threatened. What am I?
Common Fleabane
This is common Fleabane it is a member of the daisy family. There is lots of it growing in the meadows at Edenbrook Country Park. It is an important nectar source for bees, hoverflies and butterflies.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)