2013 UK orchids (3 Viewers)

[leptochila]

Hi Mike
I would say that it is complementary to the Harrap's other book 'Orchids of Britain and Ireland - A Field and Site Guide' which I wouldn't be without.
However, 'Harrap's Wild Flowers' simplifies identification of hundreds of the other wild flowers you are likely to encounter too.
For instance 'hedge woundwort' was mentioned earlier in this thread and page 229 has crisp images of Hedge, Marsh and Field Woundwort flowers, separate images of each of their leaves, distribution maps, vital statistics and a simple description of how to tell them apart including the Hedge x Marsh hybrid.
The book is only about £15 and definitely the best and most comprehensive guide for the breadth of coverage that I've come across. Have a look in your local bookshop and you'll see what I mean.
PS This is still not an advert, and I won't mention it again! but it does answer the recent post about what orchid books people would recommend.

Hi Gravyboy

Sounds quite good! I may have to buy it for myself, my general wildflower guides certainly need updating and it'd be interesting to see what the Harraps have put together.

Thanks

Mike

 

[leptochila]

Hi

Fragrants won't be in flower yet - were they Southern Marsh perhaps?

There were Fragrants in full flower in the Chilterns a week ago so no reason why they wouldn't be?

Mike

 

[leptochila]

Orchiding around Ceredigion

My first attempt at a Lesser Twayblade site yesterday failed with a locked forestry commission gate across the track so instead I visited an old (1981 record) site for Small White orchid near Cwmystwyth. Of course nothing, but it is amazing to note that Bluebells here in West Wales are still in full flower and are only starting to go over - the latest I have ever seen them in flower to date.
Finally I dropped in to the southern tip of Cors Caron (Tregaron Bog) to look for Platanthera and possible hybrids between the two species. Despite not seeing any hybrids, I came across a small number of Lesser Butterfly orchids just coming into flower on grassy tussock islands between beds of Bog Bean and Cotton grass. Many more to flower in the next 2 weeks.

Mike

 

[Jonny721]

Checked out the Dune Helleborine site at Lytham St Anne's Nature Reserve today and managed to find 7 spikes in the area where the flowers were last year. At least 1 of them looked almost ready to flower. Single Green-flowered Helleborine spike located and several Early Marsh Orchids dotted about the site just coming into flower

 

[childhood memories]

Warwickshire bees

Just staring to open up - anyone planning a visit I'd give it another week

 

[Dylan Edwards]

Small White Orchids

Really privileged to see Small white orchid today in Mid-Wales


http://www.flickr.com/photos/dylanedwards/9087233186/

 

[Dylan Edwards]

Also stopped in at Elan Waters to try and find Bog orchid but no sign ( yet ....)

 

[childhood memories]

frog orchids

What latin name do we give to frogorchids now? - I thought it
was dactylorhiza viridis but have been told off by someone from a wild flower site who said:
"I am afraid that the BSBI website has not caught up with the latest changes. These are contained in Stace's New Flora of the British Isles Third Edition" they claim that they should be Coeloglossum viride which I thought was an old name?

 

[Ghostly Vision]

What latin name do we give to frogorchids now? - I thought it
dactylorhiza viridis but have been told off from a wild flower site who says that
"I am afraid that the BSBI website has not caught up with the latest changes. These are contained in Stace's New Flora of the British Isles Third Edition" they claim that they should be Coeloglossum viride which I thought was an old name?

Its a matter of expert opinion which you use. Officially you should follow Stace.

Most modern Orchid guides use Bateman's 2006 assessment, which is Dactylorhiza.

Sean

 

[Matthebirder]

Had a look at Silverdale 'plant' on 9th and no sign of flowers , had been carefully weeded though by a caretaker. Assuming this is 'the' spot. Took a photo if anyone really interested though with the ones up the road hardly worth the effort.

Had a quick look for some Gloucs Musks yesterday - not a sign. The Common Spotteds were only just coming into flower!

Apparently the Silverdale Lady's slipper didn't flower this year?

Sean

 

[Leifus]

Lesser twayblades at their peak in Northumberland, some starting to go over.

Off to check a local burnt/greater butterfly site this evening

When do people think the best time to see late spiders this year will be?

 

[Rafeabrook]

Hi

Fragrants won't be in flower yet - were they Southern Marsh perhaps?

Been to a local country park today, where the Common spotteds are really looking good now, and the few Bee Orchids are finally showing flowers.

Will post pics and let you decide but I am 99% sure they were Fragrants. Some were on their way out even! Too slender to be Southern Marsh and on very dry elevated chalky ground too.

Be back soon......

 

[Rafeabrook]

Went down to Ramney Marsh to see the Bee Orchid colony today and after a short walk from Enfield Lock towards the M25, and some searching in the Marsh grasslands I found them. Forgotten how small and easily hidden they can be when growing around Oxe Eyes! Took some great shots and will post them up soon. If anyone wants more specific details as to their location, PM me. They are absolutely ripe to be photographed right now and looking as stunning as always.

 

[JCL]

354 (+, obviously; I may have missed some) Man Orchid in a small reserve in NW Kent today. A handful of common twayblades on the way out, common spotted orchids in fine fettle, and numerous pyramidials budding but no more.

 

[StevePreddy]

I've just had a look at the Bristol Lizard orchid site and am concerned - I couldn't see any plants, though I'm not brilliant at spotting them and I look from the edge as I don't want to trample about amongst the plants.
What I did see though were quite a few patches of bare soil. This is quite a concern as a few years ago a number of plants were dug up from the site.
The first time I went to this site I saw 15+ plants and each year since the number has diminished.
If anyone one else has been there recently and seen plants appearing please re-assure me.
There are lots of robust Common Spotted and a few Pyramidal showing.
Helen

Hi

I visited the site today to look for the plants, not having seen your earlier post, and I can come to no other conclusion than that the plants have been dug up - they should be in full flower now, even considering the iffy weather earlier in the year.

I have filed a crime report with Avon and Somerset police: 20 June 2013, report number 961. The police asked me when I last saw the plants here, which was last year, I think, so if anyone has seen them this year, or if anyone saw the bare soil patches on an earlier date, that would be useful info for the police in helping to pinpoint the date that they were taken.

Steve

 

[rogpow]

Hundreds of Lesser Butterfly Orchids and Heath Spotted Orchids in flower on the New Forest today.

Rog

 

[Gareth Stamp]

Visited a few sites in Gloucestershire today.

Highlights were: 15+ frog orchids in full flower and 25 common fragrant orchid also looking impressive, and one fly orchid.

White helleborines mostly in flower at a few sites.

Greater and lesser butterfly orchids also in flower.

 

[Leifus]

Greater Butterfly perfect in Hampshire this evening, along with some beautiful Burnt orchids

Fragrants now coming out and hundreds of common spotted orchids - one of which had a flower head at least 15cm long, I estimated about 150 individual flowers - incredible!

 

[Bodhyfryd]

When do people think the best time to see late spiders this year will be?

Hi Leifus

We have just come back from a trip to Kent today, where we saw a colony of Late Spiders nicely flowering in one of the main sites. Admittedly still a few buds to open, but the next week or so should see them fully open. Certainly plenty to photograph.

Martin

 

[lizard orchid]

Hi

I visited the site today to look for the plants, not having seen your earlier post, and I can come to no other conclusion than that the plants have been dug up - they should be in full flower now, even considering the iffy weather earlier in the year.

I have filed a crime report with Avon and Somerset police: 20 June 2013, report number 961. The police asked me when I last saw the plants here, which was last year, I think, so if anyone has seen them this year, or if anyone saw the bare soil patches on an earlier date, that would be useful info for the police in helping to pinpoint the date that they were taken.

Steve

This is a worry. Still worth anyone about this area to keep an eye on the site incase of any late flowering plants. Friend went last week to Cambs Lizard orchid site and they were still a way off flowering.

Brian Laney.