Notable Recent Sightings

01/10 Glossy Ibis 1, photo'd by Osprey camera at Cors Dyfi
17/09 Grey Phalarope 1 juv, Red Ridge Centre, Cefn Coch, photo'd
29/05 Pink-footed Goose 1, over Welshpool, photo'd on 09/06
01/05 Red-throated Diver 1, Llyn Clywedog
07/02 Whooper Swan 44, Lake Vyrnwy
31/01 Whooper Swan 51, Haimwood, Llandrinio
17/11 Firecrest 2, Castle Caereinion
07/11 Barnacle Goose 1 among Canada Geese, Llyn Coed-y-Dinas
07/11 Hawfinch a few, Lake Vyrnwy, also Bramblings
01/11 Short-eared Owl 1, Cefn Coch Wind-farm
01/11 Great Grey Shrike Gregynog
28/10 Great Grey Shrike Lake Vyrnwy, also 1 on 30th at Eunant
25/09 Gannet 1 juv grounded near Caersws
07/09 Nightjar 1, photographed near Pontrobert
17/07 Quail RSPB Lake Vyrnwy, also heard 20/06 and 08/07
24/04 Long-eared Owl 2, RSPB Lake Vyrnwy
16/04 Purple Heron 1, Cors Dyfi
05/03 Firecrest 1, Lake Vyrnwy
05/03 Short-eared Owl 1, Lake Vyrnwy
14/01 Pink-footed Goose 1, Dolydd Hafren
03/01 Waxwing 20, Meifod; also 5 Welshpool by canal on 01/01. Last: 6 Bwlch-y-Garreg 17/03
   
See Sightings Archive for older records

Friday, December 07, 2012

Berry Pickers

Hawthorn berries are very popular among professional and amateur herbalists. They are high in vitamin C and have also been used for a range of heart conditions for over 2000 years. There is scientific research to show the positive effects of these berries in dilating coronary arteries and improving oxygenation of the blood. Apparently they also normalise blood pressure. Hawthorn berries are used for insomnia, to help digestion and for coughs and colds. They are also considered to be a symbol of fertility.

Locally, in Powys, there is at least one company offering to pay people to collect the berries and willing to pay over £10 a kilo for this, in order to make herbal teas. However, I know that this company are very strict on ensuring that the foragers get permission off the landowners to do this.
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4 comments:

  1. BRIAN POLLARD7 December 2012 at 14:13

    Prefer a good Malt!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Tony Ware7 December 2012 at 15:21

    And me Brian.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous7 December 2012 at 16:00

    I do wonder how many birds could be kept going by a kilo of hawthorn berries - I sympathise with those who want to take natural rather than man-made/synthetic remedies but something about this doesn't feel right

    ReplyDelete
  4. Tony Ware7 December 2012 at 16:50

    I agree Mark.

    ReplyDelete

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