2014 UK Orchids (1 Viewer)

[Rafeabrook]

Homefield & Hartslock

Tried the slightly ambitious plan of getting up at 4.30am to take in Homefield Wood, and then Hartslock and be on time for a meeting in Farnham at 9am. Got to Homefield by 6am and got the shots below, but struggled to locate the right place at Hartslock and had to abandon having wasted valuable time wandering around the two Combe Fields finding nothing! My first Common Spotted of the year was among the Military's being ignored. A few really big Military's at full show now (see last pic below). Alas the Monkey's escaped me today......

 

[fgrsimon]

Late Spiders now out at both the well known Kent sites.

 

[fgrsimon]

Can anyone suggest sites for Early Marsh and Southern Marsh in Gloucestershire?

I had a wander around Greystones Farm, Bourton where both are listed by the GlosWT but the site is huge and I saw nothing.

The other place I checked recently was Rack Isle in Bibury(NT) where the information board lists Early Marsh. However pretty much the entire area is closed off by an electric fence and some sort of rare breed cattle were happily grazing. I'm guessing that won't be doing any orchids that might be there, much good!

 

[Bodhyfryd]

It was more than a couple of years ago now!

Incredibly hard to find - two of us spent a couple of hours crawling around a steep slope looking under every bit of heather before we eventually found a couple.

Rich M

Merely to underline GV's and Rich's comments about the difficulty of finding Lesser Twayblade, we had a similar experience last year at the Lake Vyrnwy location (N.Wales), spending several hours before finding a number of flowering plants - even when armed with excellent directions from Young Hunter. But eventual success does bring a real delight: it is one of our favourite orchids. We haven't so far been back to see how they are progressing this year. A shade early even for this season?

 

[leptochila]

Merely to underline GV's and Rich's comments about the difficulty of finding Lesser Twayblade, we had a similar experience last year at the Lake Vyrnwy location (N.Wales), spending several hours before finding a number of flowering plants - even when armed with excellent directions from Young Hunter. But eventual success does bring a real delight: it is one of our favourite orchids. We haven't so far been back to see how they are progressing this year. A shade early even for this season?

I suspect so Martin although there'll no doubt already be some plants in flower. That population is quite large though; certainly a few hundred plants, perhaps more.

Mike

 

[Bodhyfryd]

I suspect so Martin although there'll no doubt already be some plants in flower. That population is quite large though; certainly a few hundred plants, perhaps more.

Mike

We'll perhaps have a look in a week or so, Mike. Thanks.

Martin

 

[Bodhyfryd]

Somerset and environs

Armed with some excellent help from Sean and Mike we are hoping to spend a couple of days in the Somerset area on Thursday / Friday. If anyone who lives in the Somerset / Avon / Bristol area could suggest any must-see orchid sites we would appreciate any directions and advice on likelihood of flowering to add to the worthwhileness of the trip . Any suggestions for smallish detours on the route down from NE Wales would likewise be appreciated. As we get older we find we have to maximise the usefulness of our orchid trips!

Martin

 

[Ragwort]

My first attempt at a proper post, so nothing out of the ordinary.
Butterfly Orchids in fine condition and in good numbers at Nupend Wood in Herefordshire. Some elegant and tall spikes. Also a White Spider Orchid (see attached picture: it must surely be rare?). And on a butterfly note, plenty of Wood Whites, some Pearl-bordered Fritillaries and a White Admiral in nearby Haugh Wood.

 

[ionh]

Sunny Homefield

In good flower at Homefield today: Military, Greater Butterfly, Twayblade, Fly, White Helleborine, Bird's-nest, and (just/almost) Common Spot.

 

[muba]

Merely to underline GV's and Rich's comments about the difficulty of finding Lesser Twayblade, we had a similar experience last year at the Lake Vyrnwy location (N.Wales), spending several hours before finding a number of flowering plants - even when armed with excellent directions from Young Hunter. But eventual success does bring a real delight: it is one of our favourite orchids. We haven't so far been back to see how they are progressing this year. A shade early even for this season?

We am planning to visit here on Friday or the weekend armed probably with the same instructions. We failed last year but were probably way too late in the year. I will pass on what we find.

 

[rmielcarek]

What's in flower

Plenty of Burnt-tipped in smart condition on the edge of Salisbury Plain today, plus Lesser Butterflies starting to flower. First Fragrant just starting (one flower open!) and a couple of Common Spotted.

Rich M

 

[IJS]

Went to see sword-leaved helleborines last night in Warwickshire. Sadly one of the flower stalks had been broken off one of the plants. Remaining plants were fully out. Conditions last night were poor though, bad light and rain but still good to see them.

Also saw lots of common spotted just starting to flower in various shades and a few southern marsh fully out too.

 

[LizandDave]

Chalk Fragrant

1st Chalk Fragrant Orchid in flower I've seen this year.
Queendown Warren this evening.
Dave

 

[derby118]

Dorset/Hants/Wilts

There are probably a 100 Greater Butterflies just in the early stages of opening at a site near Kingston Lacy, and the Burnts are at their peak at the large NNR on the Hants/Wilts border. I only spotted about 20 burnts in flower yesterday, and regrettably one clump of three plants had two of the three flowers snapped off earlier the same day, judging how fresh the fallen flowers appeared. Common Spotteds are coming out at both locations, and a few Early Purples still hanging on at the former site.

 

[Matt Eade]

Burnt Orchids looking very good yesterday at a site near Lewes, East Sussex.

 

[black52bird]

Early Spider Orchid in 'The Guardian'

I see that today's 'Guardian' ( I was reading the online version)
had an article about Early Spider Orchids growing on the grass
roof of Swanage Sewage Works.....which continues to show the
value of sewage works to naturalists. Last autumn I ticked both
Spur-winged Lapwing and Red-throated Pipit on a sewage works
in Cyprus!!

best

David

 

[rogpow]

the Burnts are at their peak at the large NNR on the Hants/Wilts border. I only spotted about 20 burnts in flower yesterday, and regrettably one clump of three plants had two of the three flowers snapped off earlier the same day, judging how fresh the fallen flowers appeared.

If you were there early yesterday afternoon and spoke to a couple who were photographing the single Burnt on the bank a bit nearer the car park and told them where the other plants were, and about the snapped plants - that was me and my wife.
We were at the Sword-leaved site earlier in the day and found the Flys where you told us - thanks for that. Also found quite a few Bird's-nest off to the west nearer the road.

Rog.

 

[gpg]

I see that today's 'Guardian' ( I was reading the online version)
had an article about Early Spider Orchids growing on the grass
roof of Swanage Sewage Works.....which continues to show the
value of sewage works to naturalists. Last autumn I ticked both
Spur-winged Lapwing and Red-throated Pipit on a sewage works
in Cyprus!!

best

David

here is the link

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/may/22/rare-orchid-blooms-at-sewage-works

 

[leptochila]

here is the link

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/may/22/rare-orchid-blooms-at-sewage-works

'Ellen McDouall, senior conservation ecologist at Wessex Water, said the limestone coastal cliffs around Swanage, on the Isle of Purbeck, were one of only three UK strongholds for the species, along with Kent and Suffolk.'

It hasn't been seen in Suffolk for 14 years and even then the population was tiny. Senior Conservation Ecologist! Perhaps she means East Sussex...

 

[leptochila]

Marsh orchids

Southern Marsh orchids just coming out at my local country park. Common Spots a couple of weeks away yet. Bee orchids nowhere near.

Mike