2013 UK orchids (1 Viewer)

[rmielcarek]

Heath Spotted

Heath Spotted orchids just starting to flower at my local Bristol Water reservoir.

Rich M

 

[rmielcarek]

Spotted orchids

Heath Spotted orchids just starting to flower at my local Bristol Water reservoir.

Rich M

In the same field, still quite a few Green-winged in good condition, and a single Southern Marsh.

Up the road a short way, at a site that normally has a few hundred Common Spotted, there were only two plants in flower so far, and they were masquerading as Heath Spotted - and note the unspotted leaves!

Rich M

 

[ikw101]

This is from the warden at Arneside two days ago "The LSOs are very late, as is everything else this year, and are some three to four weeks behind than in a usual year! However, they are now just coming into flower, and I anticipate there will be many flowers open by next week."

Thanks for the quick reply. Hopefully the temperature will pick up a bit

 

[Ghostly Vision]

Good evening all,

The Lady's Slipper are still weeks behind at Kilnsey Park, Yorkshire Dales, which is a bit unfortunate given that it was their Wild about Orchids festival this week. It has been widely advertised. There was only one plant in bud which may break over the next couple of days. There was a good display of Early Purple Orchids.

The Southern Marsh Orchids at Titchwell, Norfolk looked good on Tuesday.

I realise the contenious issue of site directions but if any one is feeling up to it could they please advise me of exact directions for Red Helleborine in Gloucestershire, via PM only. I will fully appreciate if no one does as this is my first post!

Regards

Adam Bimpson

Hello Adam and welcome.

The Red Helleborines in Gloucestershire are in a large enclosure surrounded by a very tall fence. The closest you can get is maybe 20-30 feet.

Unfortunately, this is actually the best place to see them in the UK!

Unless you just want to actually see them and not photograph them, it is hardly worth going. You'll need binoculars to appreciate them.

Sean

 

[Ghostly Vision]

Finally got to the best spot for Sword-leaved helleborine in the Wyre Forest, where there are approximately 40 plants due to flower. Only one was actually properly open, the rest at least a week, or maybe two away from full glory.

Despite being fenced off, some have been nibbled, maybe by deer?

I did not have time this evening to check the other spots (where there are very low numbers), but will be doing so next weekend.

Hoping for better pictures when the light is a little more kind.

Sean

 

[Leifus]

Sword-leaved Helleborines comfortably in flower in Hampshire. Bird's-nest Orchids flowering but not yet at peak. White helleborines are still in tight bud and the fly orchids are only just beginning to flower

 

[Bodhyfryd]

Sword-leaved Helleborine - Wales

We have waited until now to try to find SLH in Wales. We tried two sites.

The first (Arthog) was a disappointment. There was evidence of the plants having been picked, as in previous years.

But at Aberdyfi we found some 30 plants which were in fine fettle.

Martin and Elaine

 

[childhood memories]

late spiders

Hi - would like to visit to Kent to see the late spiders - but as it will be a long trip would appreciate some guidance as to where and when - apreciate that timing is a little problematical this year but any advice would be much apreciated
PP

 

[JCL]

Lesser twayblade out in abernethy forest, highlands.

 

[James Hunter]

Counted 2000 Lady Orchids in Denge Wood yesterday and gave up. Estimate about 4000 plants in all - an amazing site. Greater Butterfly still in bud. The Ladies were spot on for condition.

Monkeys just starting to flower - 6+ in flower, 120 plants counted, most in tight bud.

Using this as a guide I would not recommend looking for Late Spider for a good few weeks at least!!

Regards

James

 

[IJS]

Went to Rex Graham reserve yesterday for the military open day. Comparing to when I last went over there approx 3-4 years ago the number of plants was very disappointing. Probably only around the 100 flowering plants mark yesterday. Some were in lovely condition though while others were only just opening up.

 

[J Jones]

I had a brief hour free this morning so nipped over to Barnack. Couldn't find any Man Orchids (has anyone seen them here yet this year?); perhaps I wasn't looking in the right places. The vast majority of Early Purples are now past their best, but still some decent looking examples. Pasqueflower also past their best but still a fair few in flower - apparently they peaked about ten days ago.

Cheers,
Josh

 

[Leifus]

I had a brief hour free this morning so nipped over to Barnack. Couldn't find any Man Orchids (has anyone seen them here yet this year?); perhaps I wasn't looking in the right places. The vast majority of Early Purples are now past their best, but still some decent looking examples. Pasqueflower also past their best but still a fair few in flower - apparently they peaked about ten days ago.

Cheers,
Josh

haven't been to barnack but plenty of man orchids flowering in kent at the moment!

 

[James Hunter]

Hi Josh - plenty in the Dartford area - give me a shout if you are passing through - Bird's Nest orchid as well

James

 

[hatfullofsky]

Ladies

I had a great day out yesterday visiting the Kent site for Lady orchids. While there I met some lovely people (hi to Heakl and his better half!) to have orchid chats with and saw masses upon masses of Lady orchids. I've enclosed some shots from the day. I don't know if there is a maximum number of images we can attach to a post so if you don't see 9 images here check out my website for those that didn't make it on here: www.naturegallery.org.uk. It's likely I'll add a few more to my website in due course anyways
Thanks to those people who helped me with information before my trip. It is a long way for a day trip and knowing I had reliable information was a terrific motivator to get out there.

 

[brianr]

Hi Brian

I know the site well, and they are indeed late there this year! Did you get taken round by the warden?

Sean

Hi Sean, i was back today, no Paul has created an area to view them without disturbing the colony. just a couple of boards off the track. Last vist showed just a single spike. Today several, some in flower slightly warmer but near late April as far as conditions go.



Regards brian and thanks for the help, it was an Orchid lifer, not that ive seen that many.

 

[Ghostly Vision]

I had a brief hour free this morning so nipped over to Barnack. Couldn't find any Man Orchids (has anyone seen them here yet this year?); perhaps I wasn't looking in the right places. The vast majority of Early Purples are now past their best, but still some decent looking examples. Pasqueflower also past their best but still a fair few in flower - apparently they peaked about ten days ago.

Cheers,
Josh

They are in a different place to where they used to be, but they put little signs up on the fences telling you what's in the enclosures.

 

[Ghostly Vision]

Back in the Wyre today, and at the other main site, two in full flower, the rest hardly visible. There would appear to be less this year than the 43 flowering spikes in 2012.

A much more evocative place, with the plants surrounded by Bluebells, not a fence, and in among Oaks with Wood Warblers singing in the background.

Sean

 

[prhodes]

Not the rare beauties being discussed above, but the Southern Marsh / Common Spotted / Early Marsh?? Orchids and Common Twayblade in the Lee Valley Regional Park are now coming into flower.

I read somewhere that this population forms a hybrid swarm, so perhaps not surprising that I'm struggling to identify many of them (or more to the point suss out an Early Marsh). Not sure if anyone can confirm or help regarding this?

Regards, Phil

 

[Ghostly Vision]

Not the rare beauties being discussed above, but the Southern Marsh / Common Spotted / Early Marsh?? Orchids and Common Twayblade in the Lee Valley Regional Park are now coming into flower.

I read somewhere that this population forms a hybrid swarm, so perhaps not surprising that I'm struggling to identify many of them (or more to the point suss out an Early Marsh). Not sure if anyone can confirm or help regarding this?

Regards, Phil

Those look like Southern Marsh Phil.