leptochila
Well-known member
I think they are the same although 3 spikes instead of the 2 we saw last year or was one chopped/felled?
Mike
-
Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.
Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
2015 UK Orchids (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter rogpow
- Start date
I think they are the same although 3 spikes instead of the 2 we saw last year or was one chopped/felled?
Mike
lazza
Well-known member
I guess this is not the rarest orchid in the world, but I was out on my bike in rural Northumberland last weekend, and rode past a small patch of these Early Purple Orchid on the roadside. Their fabulous bright pink-purple colour jumped out at me as I toiled up a rather steep hill, so much so I stopped at the top and walked back down to get a photo with my phone.... and I can admit (as a newbie to flower identification)....this was my first wild orchid! 
Attachments
rmielcarek
Well-known member
They are quite distinctive in that they are tall plants in a tight group.
Rich
leptochila
Well-known member
I guess this is not the rarest orchid in the world, but I was out on my bike in rural Northumberland last weekend, and rode past a small patch of these Early Purple Orchid on the roadside. Their fabulous bright pink-purple colour jumped out at me as I toiled up a rather steep hill, so much so I stopped at the top and walked back down to get a photo with my phone.... and I can admit (as a newbie to flower identification)....this was my first wild orchid!
Congrats on your find!
Mike
I went to Parsonage Down NNR this morning to see if there were any Burn-tips still unchewed by the sheep. Actually, I didn't see any of the stock, so they must have all been on the other end of the Reserve. I did find 9 Burnt-tips still in reasonable condition.
Then across the track and onto Yarnbury Castle hillfort where I used to find BTOs more than 40 years ago. I'm pleased to say they are still there; about 20 in flower, mostly on the southern ramparts nearest the A303 (which wasn't a dual carriageway in those far off days). One plant had 2 rather ratty-looking spikes with white flowers. Also some Early Gentians (for those interested in things other than orchids - lol). Oh, and quite a few Fragrants but still a week or more before they will be flowering.
Next stop was Clearbury Ring to search for more BTOs. I did manage to find 2 plants but only after I had pretty much given up the hunt. Plenty of Fragrants, more advanced than at Yarnbury but still with a week or 10 days before they'll be at their best.
Then across the track and onto Yarnbury Castle hillfort where I used to find BTOs more than 40 years ago. I'm pleased to say they are still there; about 20 in flower, mostly on the southern ramparts nearest the A303 (which wasn't a dual carriageway in those far off days). One plant had 2 rather ratty-looking spikes with white flowers. Also some Early Gentians (for those interested in things other than orchids - lol). Oh, and quite a few Fragrants but still a week or more before they will be flowering.
Next stop was Clearbury Ring to search for more BTOs. I did manage to find 2 plants but only after I had pretty much given up the hunt. Plenty of Fragrants, more advanced than at Yarnbury but still with a week or 10 days before they'll be at their best.
Attachments
-
lumixP1100263 Orchis ustulata - Burnt-tip Orchid - Parsonage Down NNR - small.jpg -
lumixP1100299 Orchis ustulata - Burnt-tip Orchid - Clearbury Ring - Wilts - small.jpg -
lumixP1100273 Orchis ustulata - Burnt-tip Orchid - Yarnbury Castle - Wilts - small.jpg -
lumixP1100278 Gentianella anglica - Early Gentian - Yarnbury Castle - Wilts - small.jpg -
lumixP1100277 Gentianella anglica - Early Gentian - Yarnbury Castle - Wilts - small.jpg
Hi Rich,
Interesting!
Do you know if they had similar flowers last year? and if so, could they be the result of a liaison between a digger wasp, an ochroleuca and a normal fly?
Ghostly Vision
Well-known member
Ahh, Simon1953. What a year that was!!! Especially the 18th July.
Ghostly Vision
Well-known member
There were three last year I think, but one had been eaten off by the time we saw them on the 1st June: it was a much earlier season.
Pic below showing them looking similar. I had put the brown edges down to age, but it appears they do have pigment, from one or two of my other shots.
Attachments
davidearlgray
davidearlgray
Greater Butterfly Orchids Rutland.
Saw 101 Greater Butterfly Orchid this afternoon at a site in Rutland. I don't know if it's a good year for GBO's but this is the best count ever I've had this site.
Cheers,
Dave.
Saw 101 Greater Butterfly Orchid this afternoon at a site in Rutland. I don't know if it's a good year for GBO's but this is the best count ever I've had this site.
Cheers,
Dave.
I guess this is not the rarest orchid in the world, but I was out on my bike in rural Northumberland last weekend, and rode past a small patch of these Early Purple Orchid on the roadside. Their fabulous bright pink-purple colour jumped out at me as I toiled up a rather steep hill, so much so I stopped at the top and walked back down to get a photo with my phone.... and I can admit (as a newbie to flower identification)....this was my first wild orchid!
I think it is likely to have been the same for many of us. It was certainly the first wild orchid which we saw in far off days in 1984. It was growing in decent numbers in the light woodland along the Trewoon-Chypons road, close to our then home in Mullion, SW Cornwall.
We subsequently saw it in various locations on the Lizard Peninsula, although my brief note of “ubiq” in my old copy of Fitter, Fitter and Blamey may have been overstating things a little. Sadly we have no photo to post of that first sighting, but it certainly began a love for wild orchids which has persisted to this day.
Thanks for sharing your recent experience - you will no doubt go on to discover many others.
Actually, it was 1972-74 that I used to drive from my home in Kent to Plymouth Poly (as it was then). Yarnbury was a convenient place to break for a picnic lunch and an orchid hunt...
Last edited:
James Hunter
Well-known member
Kent yesterday
100s Lady orchids in full flower at Bonsai Bank, Denge Wood. Also several Greater Butterfly Orchids starting to flower and 1 White Helleborine
Wye - only 4 Late Spider Orchids currently in flower
Regards
James
100s Lady orchids in full flower at Bonsai Bank, Denge Wood. Also several Greater Butterfly Orchids starting to flower and 1 White Helleborine
Wye - only 4 Late Spider Orchids currently in flower
Regards
James
leptochila
Well-known member
To add to that - Lady orchids going over at Yocklett's Bank on Wednesday but loads of stonking Fly orchids (some huge) and White Helleborines now at their peak there. 1 Greater Butterfly seen.
Lots of Monkeys at Parkgate with several Fly, 1 Lady and 6 or 7 large Greater Butterflies just coming out.
15 Late Spiders freshly out with some more in bud at another site.
5 Man orchids beside an arable field with a few past it Lady orchids at Crundale Downs.
Mike
Mike
ionh
Well-known member
Kent
My first visit to this site, and i think "100s" is an underestimate! I was just knocked out by the profusion of plants, in peak condition. (Thanks for the tips, James)
My first visit to this site, and i think "100s" is an underestimate! I was just knocked out by the profusion of plants, in peak condition. (Thanks for the tips, James)
Last edited:
James Hunter
Well-known member
I'm a very conservative counter!!
John Cantelo
Well-known member
I saw the Lady Orchids at Yockletts on a quick trip there yesterday, but not the other stuff - were they further in? I may go back anon can you give me some idea where they are?
dungeness1
Well-known member
RSPB guided walk to see Fen Orchid on Friday 19 June 2015.
Sean wrote
£45!!! Wow!
However, this is deifnitely the trip to go on. I believe it won't be run after this year, so it will be essential to go on this year's trip.
It appears this is the correct price. It's advertised on the RSPB website. Reduced to £36 for members.
Not sure how many takers they will have at that price. It is a lovelly area, the wardens really helpful and the Fen Orchid is well worth seeing, but I fear only the determined will be prepared to pay £45.
Sean wrote
£45!!! Wow!
However, this is deifnitely the trip to go on. I believe it won't be run after this year, so it will be essential to go on this year's trip.
It appears this is the correct price. It's advertised on the RSPB website. Reduced to £36 for members.
Not sure how many takers they will have at that price. It is a lovelly area, the wardens really helpful and the Fen Orchid is well worth seeing, but I fear only the determined will be prepared to pay £45.
Lesser Twayblade
Today en route to Northumberland we were delighted to find our favourite wild orchid. Thanks to Dave Broadbent for helpful directions. These plants were slightly easier to find than the Lake Vyrnwy population as they were tending to grow in the sphagnum between the clumps of heather rather than under them. We think they are really exquisite and well worth the effort of searching.
How many can you see in image 3?
Today en route to Northumberland we were delighted to find our favourite wild orchid. Thanks to Dave Broadbent for helpful directions. These plants were slightly easier to find than the Lake Vyrnwy population as they were tending to grow in the sphagnum between the clumps of heather rather than under them. We think they are really exquisite and well worth the effort of searching.
How many can you see in image 3?
Attachments
Great photos - I am hoping to see Lesser Twayblade for the first time this year after failing to find it last year- if anyone else is around Vrynwy on 15th I'd welcome some help searching as it seems a hard plant to find- or any tips to spot them?
Thanks, Anne
