Hi all I'm new to this site but have enjoyed reading all your posts. Last summer we planted some nepeta (cat mint) and shortly afterwards saw starlings stripping off pieces and flying away with them. After being puzzled by their behaviour my father-in-law, who incidentally has been a keen "birder" for a number of years now, explained the birds use this in their nests as a means to deter bugs, as Im sure many of you will know it has quite a strong smell! Clever use of natural material I'd say, good for the starlings but you should have seen the state of my new plant!