2013 UK orchids (1 Viewer)

[prhodes]

Those look like Southern Marsh Phil.

Thanks Ghostly Vision, there are Common Spotted Orchid and Common Twayblade (below), but the information board shows says Early Marsh as well but I could convince myself there were any of these?

Thanks again Phil

 

[Matthebirder]

I'm going to be up near Culbin Forest at the end of the week, if anymore has any hints on finding Coral Root here I'd be pleased to hear. If you prefer please send me an e-mail.
Thank you
Matthew

 

[RPFH]

Went looking for Burnt Orchids in South Wilts yesterday. Plenty now coming into flower. Should be at their peak by the end of the week

 

[Phil Bishop]

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

Which population are you referring to? The (introduced) caged ones at the north end of the valley were checked out by the local botanists a couple of years ago and found to be predominantly Early/Southern Marsh hybrids. Have not been to see them in flower yet as I am intending to make a closer study myself this year. Most look like Southern to me but I am not an expert in these matters.

 

[gpg]

Hants hybrids

There are two outstanding spikes of Cephalanthera x schulzei at the main helleborine site.

Narrow leaved marsh orchid is in flower in Hants.

Lesser butterfly in flower in Wilts with Burnt orchids & Man orchid in bud.
Sword leaved helleborine in flower in Glos.

It has been a good weekend; with Duke of Burgundy, Marsh fritillary & Adonis blue in flight to complement the floral enjoyment.

Pasque flowers are also still just in flower in Glos, only one or two, but like the bluebells very late this year.

 

[heakl]

Another Kent trip

Made our second visit to Kent at the weekend, the first one ended a couple of weeks ago with an alba Lady in tight bud. The forum however is working well with a very timely update (thanks John & Paula) showing the plant was now in flower.

We stopped on the way for Military Orchid in Bucks. The earlier ones were in flower, most still had some way to go, the next couple of weeks could be pretty good, loads of Fly also in flower (thanks Paul, the forum is workingl).

Plenty going on in Kent, Monkey just starting with loads to follow, Lady at their best at the three sites we visited, including a second alba (what do they say about waiting for a bus!), Man pretty good and getting better and a very odd Fly orchid.

Yes hatfullofsky, nice to see you too, we see from your photos that you did eventually get to the other site. The forum is obviously working well for you as well.

Alan

 

[heakl]

Made our second visit to Kent at the weekend, the first one ended a couple of weeks ago with an alba Lady in tight bud. The forum however is working well with a very timely update (thanks John & Paula) showing the plant was now in flower.

We stopped on the way for Military Orchid in Bucks. The earlier ones were in flower, most still had some way to go, the next couple of weeks could be pretty good, loads of Fly also in flower (thanks Paul, the forum is workingl).

Plenty going on in Kent, Monkey just starting with loads to follow, Lady at their best at the three sites we visited, including a second alba (what do they say about waiting for a bus!), Man pretty good and getting better and a very odd Fly orchid.

Yes hatfullofsky, nice to see you too, we see from your photos that you did eventually get to the other site. The forum is obviously working well for you as well.

Alan

A stop in Oxfordshire on the way home for:-
Lady, only two and noticably different to the Kent ones, both in full bloom.
Monkey, most not in full flower yet so should be good for a couple of weeks.
Hybrids, plenty and now in full bloom.

All in all a very good trip.
Alan

 

[prhodes]

Which population are you referring to? The (introduced) caged ones at the north end of the valley were checked out by the local botanists a couple of years ago and found to be predominantly Early/Southern Marsh hybrids. Have not been to see them in flower yet as I am intending to make a closer study myself this year. Most look like Southern to me but I am not an expert in these matters.

Hi Phil, I only checked to two well publicised sites near Cheshunt, at Cheshunt Lock and Bowyers Water, as detailed in the Anne and Simon Harrap book. On Sunday there were just a couple of orchids starting to flower at Cheshunt Lock, but hundreds starting to flowers at Bowyers Water (NE corner of lake), where I took the picture. Both sites are easy to access from the car park across the tracks from Cheshunt Station. In fact there is an orchid information board there to direct you. The Bee Orchids at Rammey Marsh (Enfield) were not yet in flower when we checked a week ago.

Regards, Phil

 

[Phil Bishop]

Hi Phil, I only checked to two well publicised sites near Cheshunt, at Cheshunt Lock and Bowyers Water, as detailed in the Anne and Simon Harrap book. On Sunday there were just a couple of orchids starting to flower at Cheshunt Lock, but hundreds starting to flowers at Bowyers Water (NE corner of lake), where I took the picture. Both sites are easy to access from the car park across the tracks from Cheshunt Station. In fact there is an orchid information board there to direct you. The Bee Orchids at Rammey Marsh (Enfield) were not yet in flower when we checked a week ago.

Regards, Phil

Thanks for the info-I assumed it might be those sites. Will have to pop down and have a look soon.

Phil

 

[Dawn Balmer]

At least 64 spikes of Bird's Nest Orchid in Norfolk yesterday.

 

[rmielcarek]

Ophrys x pietzschii

Six now in flower including a very narrow lipped one with white speculum and green sepals, it was noticeable that even on the two spikes with four open flowers the bottom flowers had not started to fade, presumably the hybrid is infertile.

Alan

A week on and more now in flower but, as you can see, some are only just beginning.

The sepals are variable in colour and the flowers are quite variable in shape, even on the same stem. Most flowers are quite narrow but there was at least one 'wide boy'.

Rich M

 

[Bodhyfryd]

Lady's Slippers

The Slippers are in good shape in Silverdale. Plenty of flowers and still some in bud. It was a joy to see them in bright light! It is encouraging to see how well things seem to be progressing here.

Martin and Elaine

 

[Romith]

Two days in Kent









.

Two nice days in Kent

 

[slatts]

Thosands of narrow leaved helleborines at West Meon hampshire yesterday. They are really looking good now with more flowers to come. Some nice groups of birds nest too. If you go in the late afternoon the sun lights up the flowers at the edge of the wood. It's really spectacular.

 

[slatts]

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

It's not the best place to see them. There is another site which is much better and where you can get a lot closer. You certainly don't need binoculars.

 

[heakl]

Gloucestershire Butterfly

Lesser & Greater Butterfly will be reaching their best in the next week or so, found an unusual Lesser today with noticably dark pollinia.

Alan

 

[naturenutz]

Some Orchids were dug up on sand point near Weston s mare yesterday . A local birder/naturalist showed a chap some near flowering orchids and found they had been dug up today.Not sure what they were but am guessing bee orchids ? you try and do the friendly thing :-C.ps I looked at the Bristol lizard orchid site tonight. no sign of lizards but some very blue looking spotted variety just starting to flower.not sure if they are heath or common spotted here but I am guessing common spotted as they are large stalked although some had no spots others did.

 

[Ghostly Vision]

It's not the best place to see them. There is another site which is much better and where you can get a lot closer. You certainly don't need binoculars.

But you do need a permit!

To clarify the position of Red Hell in England, there are three recent sites.

The Hampshire site has not had records since 2004 now. Even then, visitors are not encouraged into the main flowering area, which is fenced off with signs barring access. Permission is required by Hampshire County Council, the site managers.

The Gloucestershire site is managed specifically for the plants, and the enclosure is next to a bridleway, giving public access to some nice plants, but unfortunately at distance

The Chilterns site is on private land, and is protected as a nature reserve. Since the small number of flowering plants (usually about 6-7) were vandalised (trampled, picked and flowering spikes broken off) in 2010, they, too are in an enclosure which is not accessible. the enclosure is well off any footpaths and quite difficult to find in the wood if you do not have specific directions.

Rumours of a fourth site so far have not been proven true, with hinted at places having been checked in recent years with nothing found.

Given the above, I'd always recommend the Gloucs site to anyone desperate to see them in the UK.

Sean

 

[Leifus]

wonderful day in ox'shire/bucks yesterday for monkey and military orchids. Also had white helleborine, twayblade, fly, lady and common spotted, plus the monkey/lady hybrids which seem to be taking over!

 

[Dylan Edwards]

Just back from 4 days in Hampshire with days out in Oxon , Wiltshire and Kent 13 species seen my only 'miss' was White helleborine ...here in North Wales it looks like i have missed that one for good this year .


Really can't say how much i enjoyed Lady and Burnt orchids ...though the sight of 100's of Narrow-leaved helleborines in Hampshire were also hard to forget .

Bee orchids starting to come at the traditional site in Conwy