I'm thinking of visiting Vicarage Meadows NR for Small White Orchid on Monday. I was wondering if anybody had any recent info as to whether they’re flowering at the moment. Moreover, if anybody could PM me specific directions it would be really appreciated as I've never visited this site before.
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2014 UK Orchids (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter LizandDave
- Start date
leptochila
Well-known member
Give the warden a ring and he'll give you an accurate update. Please be careful in the meadow where the orchids grow - there's Heath Fragrant and Heath Spotted orchids everywhere alongside the handful of Small Whites and all are easily trampled. Take plenty of insect repellent too!
Mike
leptochila
Well-known member
Borth Bog
Just before leaving Aberystwyth yesterday I dropped in at a particularly species rich corner of Borth Bog where last year we found a few Lesser Butterfly orchids and pulchella subsp. of the Early Marsh orchid. I found both in excellent numbers (around 50 Lesser Butterfly orchids in the end). It also appears that the Early Marsh population is rapidly forming a hybrid swarm with the neighbouring Heath Spotted orchids, creating perfect intermediates. I happened to meet the warden there and he confirmed that all three species are spreading rapidly into the meadows that were 'improved' a couple of decades before thanks to favourable grazing. For a few years Lesser Butterfly orchids weren't even recorded on the bog so this is excellent news.
Mike
Just before leaving Aberystwyth yesterday I dropped in at a particularly species rich corner of Borth Bog where last year we found a few Lesser Butterfly orchids and pulchella subsp. of the Early Marsh orchid. I found both in excellent numbers (around 50 Lesser Butterfly orchids in the end). It also appears that the Early Marsh population is rapidly forming a hybrid swarm with the neighbouring Heath Spotted orchids, creating perfect intermediates. I happened to meet the warden there and he confirmed that all three species are spreading rapidly into the meadows that were 'improved' a couple of decades before thanks to favourable grazing. For a few years Lesser Butterfly orchids weren't even recorded on the bog so this is excellent news.
Mike
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muba
Well-known member
I have been out to a couple more local Bee Orchid sites today. At Alyn Waters CP counted over 80 in three small areas. Common spotteds just coming out, Common Twayblades threatening to become the dominant planr, and Helleborine flower spikes uncurling. Didn't want to stay too long as we would have been caught up in a fun run. I hope they stuck to the paths and did not take short cuts through the orchid sites!
At another further north, at a site bounced by a motorway, a canal and a railway, found only three. Where we had seen them before in glades within woodland there seemed to be none.
At another further north, at a site bounced by a motorway, a canal and a railway, found only three. Where we had seen them before in glades within woodland there seemed to be none.
dungeness1
Well-known member
The Military Orchids at the Rex Graham Open Day today were past their best, but a few were worthy of photographing.
Gareth Stamp
Well-known member
Late Spider Orchids - Kent
I may have left it too late for this season but cannot anyone let me know if the late spiders are good enough to photograph this week or will they be past their best?
I hope to check the progress of the fen orchids at Kenfig this week and will provide an update. PM me if you wish for directions.
I may have left it too late for this season but cannot anyone let me know if the late spiders are good enough to photograph this week or will they be past their best?
I hope to check the progress of the fen orchids at Kenfig this week and will provide an update. PM me if you wish for directions.
prhodes
Well-known member
Hi James, by chance we visited this site today. We found a couple of Small White Orchids, but they are by no means numerous and take some searching. My first time at this site so always possible we missed the true picture. Look out for the all of the Wood Bitter Vetch, the plant on the front of Harrap's Wild Flowers (if you have this book). I'm still learning so hope my identifications are secure.
Apologies for the poor pictures. Phil
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childhood memories
Well-known member
Bee orchids showing well in Warwickshire - nice collection of chalk fragrants in a ring around a ring barrow at Lambourn
Thanks for the tips for the SWOs, all being well we'll get them tomorrow. Had a successful day at Kenfig today with eight Fen Orchids. One large plant was in full flower and adjacent to a slightly smaller plant which was nearly in full flower. Also three tiny plants within 0.5m of these two but only one of these was developing a flower spike; so watch your step in this area. Two further smallish plants were just starting to flower and the final plant only showed vegetative growth. All Fen Orchids were in the newly cleared area where others saw them last year so thanks again for the directions Martin, we would have been struggling to find this slack otherwise.
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leptochila
Well-known member
Hi Phil
Good news they are there this year. There are always very low numbers, rarely more than 5 and usually 1 or 2 so it's not like you missed the big colony round the corner or anything!
Mike
leptochila
Well-known member
When you say large, how large are we talking? Much bigger than the well twitched duo last year? I still want to get the text book shot!
Mike
antshrike69
Well-known member
Gareth - they were in full flower a few days ago, with many budding spikes yet to come. Stunning plants.
I'm not sure of the size of last year's plants as I didn't see them but the best plant yesterday I would guess was about 12cm tall. I've attached a quick back of the camera shot to give you an idea.
James
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rmielcarek
Well-known member
davidearlgray
davidearlgray
Wasp Orchid in Leicestershire/Rutland!
Hi all, I photographed this Bee Orchid on Saturday at a site in Rutland. Personally I think it's a "Wasp Orchid" (Bee Orchid Var. trollii) but would like to know what other people think of the orchid?
I look forward to your replies,
Cheers,
Dave.
Hi all, I photographed this Bee Orchid on Saturday at a site in Rutland. Personally I think it's a "Wasp Orchid" (Bee Orchid Var. trollii) but would like to know what other people think of the orchid?
I look forward to your replies,
Cheers,
Dave.
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leptochila
Well-known member
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