2014 UK Orchids (6 Viewers)

[Ghostly Vision]

That second one is a beauty Luke.

My understanding is that fulvofuscus and atrofusca are the same thing. The first name preceeded the second, so is the correct one to use for this var.

I'm not sure if it qualifies as this if it has any pattern at ll (like the silver necklace) on the lip.

All the best

Sean

 

[rmielcarek]

Bee orchid variation - var belgarum

Some more variations on a theme.

The photo on the left shows a plant close to var belgarum although the basal field is probably more pronounced than expected - the other two don't quite make it as the yellow bar doesn't go all the way across the lip.

These were all last week amonst a group of 200 or so Bee orchids on a ste...ep slope above the sea.

Rich M

 

[Bodhyfryd]

Lizards coming very nicely into flower at Newmarket. Plenty already showing with some still to come. Growing in company with Pyramidals and a couple of Bees (and lots of very colourful Sainfoin).

Martin

 

[dungeness1]

Lizard Orchids in full flower at Sandwich Bay. Southern Marsh Orchids still good.

 

[AdrianW]

The Late Spiders in Kent are looking good today!

Some of the Pyramidals are at their best there too; which is interesting because I was at a Surrey site on Sunday, and only one spike there had a single floret open; the rest were still in bud!

 

[lizard orchid]

bicolor and wasp orchids in Warwickshire

If some of you are planning to visit Warwickshire to see bicolor and wasp orchids then contact me at [email protected]
My friend Phill Clayton lives near these sites and if he gets a chance will check up on them to see how they are faring this year.

Brian Laney.

 

[rmielcarek]

Bee orchid - var flavescens

Incidentally was this a var Flavescens?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/53613503@N08/14185805682/

This is what var flavescens looks like - taken this morning at a private site so don't PM for directions as there is no access.

In the field the sepals look almost white, the petals are green and the fresh flowers look already faded and washed yellow.

I'm unclear how rare this variant actually is, I've only seen it at two other sites in the SW,or whether it is just underreported. Anyone else familiar with it from other parts of the country?

Rich M

 

[rogpow]

This is what var flavescens looks like

I'm unclear how rare this variant actually is, I've only seen it at two other sites in the SW,or whether it is just underreported. Anyone else familiar with it from other parts of the country?

Rich M

It occurs at a site on the Isle of Wight where it often outnumbers ordinary Bees. There are usually several var. belgarums in the colony (although none appeared this year) and occasionally a few var. chlorantha, but I haven't seen any for a few years now.
(It's a very sensitive site so please don't pm for details. Sorry!)

Rog

 

[rmielcarek]

It occurs at a site on the Isle of Wight where it often outnumbers ordinary Bees. There are usually several var. belgarums in the colony (although none appeared this year) and occasionally a few var. chlorantha, but I haven't seen any for a few years now.
(It's a very sensitive site so please don't pm for details. Sorry!)

Rog

Cheers Rog. At my site there are probably equal numbers of pale and normal Bees. It's a species rich hay meadow where it's almost impossible to put your feet without disturbing something special - the main reason there is no access.

Rich

 

[Romith]

Re.chlorantha Bee orchid

Hello, Just wondered if there are any showing south of Norwich this year?

Thanks Roy

 

[childhood memories]

wasps

found a great wasp site North Bucks - at least 8 plants showing well - plus a couple of normal bees
P

 

[slatts]

found a great wasp site North Bucks - at least 8 plants showing well - plus a couple of normal bees
P

They're nice. How north in Bucks?

 

[slatts]

I was at Aston Clinton today. Forests of twayblades, thousands of fragrant and common spotted in one tiny place, the scent just wafts over you. A couple of really nice white fragrants. Probably peaking now ish, plus still some excellent butterflies. I didn't actually see any today but I've seen several fragrant/common spot hybrids here in the past. Roman snails and slow worms too. Then off to Aston Rowant to see if last years frog/common spot was on its way. I went back to exactly the same site and sadly not a sign of it. then off to another part of the reserve where a few frogs are starting to come into flower and some really nice pure white common spots. Hoping to find a rodochila which I saw a few years ago but only normal common spots, with a huge variety of size and colour. At both sites pyramidals in bud/ starting to flower.

 

[fgrsimon]

Unfortunate that the site is easily found, but I guess one needs to have some idea to start with to do the search accurately enough?

Sadly, assuming we are talking about the same site, it is all but lost. I called in yesterday evening and the grass was so long it was like wading through a swimming pool about 2 football pitches in size. I was very fortunate in that I totally by fluke walked straight a Wasp and a (I think) normal Bee, right next to each other but another hour of searching found no further plants.

It desparately needs cutting this year.

 

[Benjamin Ofield]

I'm planing a trip for Fen orchids at Kenfig on Sunday, I have been given directions kindly by Martin so hope to see those. I'm also going to make the trip up to Vicarage meadows for Small white orchid in the afternoon, any help with the best area to look will be appreciated, I've never been there before. Pm me if it's possible.
Cheers
Ben Ofield.

 

[derby118]

Sadly, assuming we are talking about the same site, it is all but lost. I called in yesterday evening and the grass was so long it was like wading through a swimming pool about 2 football pitches in size. I was very fortunate in that I totally by fluke walked straight a Wasp and a (I think) normal Bee, right next to each other but another hour of searching found no further plants.

It desparately needs cutting this year.

My thoughts entirely, plantain and grass has overrun the site, more is the pity! Those two specimens were definitely the two of the ones I saw - right next to each other.

I stopped by the Sword-leaved site in Hants on the way to see the Musks yesterday, and was horrified to see that since visiting earlier in the season, parts of three fences had been partly brought down, and the developing Fly colony on the Wn side of the path had been trampled almost to death - despite having been marked by sticks on my earlier visit. Of the six or so separate plants I saw a month ago, there are now only two, one which doesn't seem to have produced a flower, the other having had the flower broken off. All the sticks have been uprooted and snapped. I guess that is partly the problem with less-than-conspicuous orchids growing 'in' a path in the shade, but even so... I will drop the Hants WL Trust a line to recommend they think about caging the specimens next year to make them more obvious.

 

[Bodhyfryd]

Welcome find at Minera Quarry

For several years now Elaine and I have been trying to track down the Frog orchids which have occasionally been reported as growing on this (now disused) quarry in NE Wales without success - until today, when we found a couple of rather undistinguished looking plants growing in a pretty inaccessible area. As the species has not (to my knowledge) been reported for the last two or three years, we were the more delighted to come across it. As the photo shows, the plant appeared to have suffered some degeneration - perhaps through "nibbling" (?), although some buds were not yet open. A second, much smaller plant was in similar condition and a third appeared to have gone over. Common Spotteds and a couple of Twayblades were in close proximity. Elsewhere on the limestone site, a Northern marsh was flowering nicely, Common Spotteds abounded and BLH were promising good things for later on. No sign of the usual Fragrants, but we did not range far, as the main purpose of our mission had been accomplished.

Martin

 

[LizandDave]

Frog Orchids near Beachy Head

Are there any places in this area of the South Downs where we might find Frog Orchids? I had read they prefer North facing slopes so will have a look in some likely spots.
We are off there tomorrow so an early reply or PM would be appreciated. Are the later flowering Burnts out there yet? Guess not but would be nice to see one if they are.
Thanks
Dave and Liz

 

[derby118]

Hampshire Musks

Quite a few Musks out on their main Hampshire site now, although probably not as many as last year - but there are still flower spikes developing. There are more Fragrants than you can shake a stick at, and the Pyramidals are also starting to open up now too. I saw no sign of any Frogs in the area where they appeared last year as yet...

 

[Yashca]

I'm considering spending a day in Norfolk this weekend (and I'll be passing through Suffolk) - does anyone have any locations for Marsh Fragrant Orchid, Early Marsh Orchid, Pugsley’s Marsh Orchid, Fen Orchid, Frog Orchid, Bird's Nest Orchid or any of the helleborines? Or any odd hybrids?

I know that's a huge list, but I fancied a big orchid weekend and there a lot of species I am yet to see - though a fen orchid spot would probably be my most desired. Any advice for any of the species would be much appreciated.