Just been up to Minera and to be honest, quite a disappointment. I was hoping to see the Marsh Orchids, but only saw 1 and that had been tampled. Other years there have been over 100. No Twayblades where I would expect them, very few Pyramidal, and the Fragrants seem to have disappeared. The best it seemed was a scattering of rather anorexic Common Spotteds. Is the weather extremes of a couple of years the cause, perhaps doing things to the soil mycorhiza? Hasn't happened at other local sites. Has the grazing pattern changed? That would not affect all those mentioned. Or is it just part of a natural cycle, and they will all bounce back better than ever?
The day was saved though, by finding a few Bee Orchids, which I have never seem there before, and some Frog Orchids in the most out of the way spot. I like this one with it twisted red pedicles.