2014 UK Orchids (1 Viewer)

[Wood Nymph]

Lady orchids and Early Spiders from the last bank holiday weekend were absolutely stunning. Amazing spectacle. Fingers crossed for dense-flowered and Irish marsh over the coming bank holiday!

 

[ihleach]

nice photos Steff, good luck with the next trip

 

[derby118]

Glad you found the fly orchids, Rog, but sorry it wasn't me you spoke to as you photographed the single Burnt! I did meet a birder who told me where to find them when I was there, and a guy walking a black labrador who pointed out another (solitary) person who could be seen on the far side of the reserve he'd spoken to, who was also seeking burnts - an area I wandered over later, but found nothingmore... I'm planning the large farm reserve and others in Wilts over the w/e - the former site has defeated me three years in a row, so this year as I know we're at the right time for them in this nexk of the woods, I hope I can find some burnts there this time round!

I'll also be up in the Midlands and Humberside in early June - and could tre to N. Wales too, etc.. I know a really good site for heath spotted in the Midlands, but 'd really like to track down my first lesser twayblades, and possibly small white orchids if possible - if anyone could kindly furnish me with some details for either (I've seen the threads about the twayblades in N. Wales - and am up for a challenge!). Does anyone know of any good frog orchid sites in similar areas, please?

 

[The Quiet Man]

Loose Flowered Orchid

Does anyone have any news on loose flowered orchids on the Channel Islands please? Am thinking of planning a visit.

Gareth

Went to Jersey yesterday to see the Loose Flowered. Despite the rain and wind the orchids look great. If you are going I would suggest you make it sooner rather than later. A few are beginning to go over. If you take the right hand path from the gate @ Le Noir Pre approx. 30m along on the right is a single Var. rosea. The marsh orchids are also in prime condition.

John

 

[gpg]

'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...

Perhaps the journalist got it wrong....

 

[Kumba]

Warwickshire Orchids

Earlier than Last Year

 

[LizandDave]

I'm confused with the flowering times for Burnt Orchids. Some seem to be at their peak now but last year it was mid July? Are there 2 flowering times for these?
Thanks
Dave

 

[Matt Eade]

I'm confused with the flowering times for Burnt Orchids. Some seem to be at their peak now but last year it was mid July? Are there 2 flowering times for these?
Thanks
Dave

Hi Dave,

Yes there are two forms of Burnt Orchid. The late one I prefer, mainly as there is a good colony not more than two minutes from my house.

All the best, Matt

 

[leptochila]

I'm confused with the flowering times for Burnt Orchids. Some seem to be at their peak now but last year it was mid July? Are there 2 flowering times for these?
Thanks
Dave

There's been a lot of debate as to whether the later flowering form ('aestivalis') should be treated as a subspecies or even full species, distinct from the early flowering form. The general train of thought is that the late flowering form is merely an eco-type based on little genetic differences and is thus best referred to as a variant. Perhaps in a few thousand years it will be something significantly different.

Here's Tali, Fay and Bateman's paper on the matter: http://www.academia.edu/1175262/Lit...he_rapidly_declining_orchid_Neotinea_ustulata

Mike

 

[derby118]

Burnts in Hants.

A few burnt orchid specimens pictured on Wednesday.

 

[Bodhyfryd]

West Country Trip

We had a most enjoyable, if sometimes rather wet, excursion to Wiltshire, Dorset, Somerset.

At a Wiltshire site there were plenty of Burnt Orchids in fine fettle including an albino and a couple of 'partial albas'.

In Somerset we were delighted to see a healthy (and hopefully increasing) stand of Fly x Bee hybrids together with the parent plants.

Forum members will understand that we have been specifically asked not to pass on location details even by PM in the case of these two sensitive sites.


Martin and Elaine

 

[JCL]

NW Kent Man Orchids still in fine fettle yesterday, inc some monster spikes.

 

[Bodhyfryd]

Lizard orchids

I meant to mention as a tailpiece to my earlier posting re. our West-country "tour" that we called at the Kendleshire location in the hopes that the Lizards might be beginning to show, but found nothing. Any thoughts, Brian, or others on when they might appear this year?

And can anyone provide an update on the Newmarket lizards?

Thanks.

Martin

 

[AdrianW]

Miltaries looking good in Bucks; and much bigger than I remember from previous years. Fly are going over a bit. Common Spot just coming out. Some nice Common Twayblades too.

While I remember - I'm going to Derby on Wednesday; which is much further North than I usually roam (I'm Surrey based). There are some orchids I'd really like to see if I can; Lesser Twayblade, Lady's Slipper (and Small White, but I guess it's far too early for those). I don't mind an hour or two of driving for a lifer; any ideas?

Does anyone have any news on the Lady's Slippers in Cumbria?

 

[MarkHows]

Last weekends efforts in Kent and Hampshire

Mark

 

[muba]

I will driving through Kent from M25 down to Dover on June 10th and will have the best part of an afternoon and evening free before an early ferry next day.

I will probably be too late for Ladies and White Hells, but has anybody got any suggestions for Musk and Burnt orchids (with directions by pm if possible) I would be appreciative. If any of the LOs and WHs are likely to persist, those too. I am hoping to catch some Fly up here before then, but a site down there would be a good back-up.

thanks

Steve

 

[LizandDave]

Thanks for info on Burnt Orchids, ie early and late flowering times.
When would be the best time to find late ones? I'm guessing late June/early July. Thinking of Sussex ones not far from Seaford? I suppose the solitary Kent one is a late as well.
Dave

 

[LizandDave]

What's the best habitat to find Butterfly Orchids (both types). My local wildlife trust describes them both being present at a roadside verge reserve but none to be found today. I'm guessing they were well off the road somewhere, but wondered if they were a bit like Lady's and preferred more open scrubby areas?
Dave

 

[derby118]

Butterfly habitats

I've found greater butterflies on grassy/scrubby hillfort sites in full sun (great site near Kingston Lacy, Dorset) and also in dappled woodland shade in various parts of the country. Harrap and Harrap say deciduous woodland with coppiced hazel especially, with light dappled shade, but also old pastures and meadows - so fairly varied! The only lesser butterflies I've seen myself are on open heathland in the New Forest...Harrap and Harrap say the 'heathland form' of the latter is found on damp heathland and moorland, along with cross-leaved heath, whereas the 'woodland form' is found in open deciduous woodland (beech). Hope this helps!

 

[LizandDave]

Thanks, best look everywhere then, though they do seem to prefer some sort of scrub it seems.
Dave