PARLIAMENT OF FOWLS

One of the joys of our native thistles is that they often flower late into autumn, providing a last top-up of nectar for newly emerged bumblebee queens as they go into hibernation. The seed heads that follow are a particular favourite of goldfinches (above). Watching a charm of them nimbly climbing over and picking out the seeds, perhaps as you wait at your peg for a drive to get under way, is something very special.

Historically, thistles have a bad reputation and both creeping and spear thistles are still listed as “injurious weeds” under the Weeds Act 1959, which gives ministerial powers to require landowners to control them.

Truth be told, these powers are rarely if ever used nowadays, which means that the old-fashioned fetish for excessive tidiness and mowing of rough corners has relaxed. This is great as it leaves a bit more winter wildlife cover that also looks attractive to nesting birds come spring.