2015 UK Orchids (1 Viewer)

[Bodhyfryd]

N.Wales

A late start for us (not the orchids!) this season - largely due to some health issues for the male of the species. We were able to go out for the first time yesterday, and saw the very nice Frog population at Eryrys (thanks to Jeff and to Muba for the pointer.)

The large numbers of BNO reported by some of you in the south persuaded us to have a look at the Coed Cil-y-groeslwyd site to see if there were any signs, but, as last year, we searched in vain. Perhaps it is a shade early for this species in chilly N.Wales? Or perhaps our eyesight is failing?

 

[Bodhyfryd]

There are now 1300+ Coralroots counted at Sandscale, with one major population still to be checked. By the weekend there could well be 2000+, in the top three years at that site.

It is good to hear that, Sean - especially after a couple of lean years. We are hoping to be holidaying on Lindisfarne from the end of next week and it may be that the (much smaller) Coral root population there will be in flower at that time.

 

[slatts]

Well, looks like the forum is going to beat a path en masse to Sandscale over the next week. I'll be one of them. Can I see a lesser twayblade between West London and Cumbria or is it too early at the moment? Someone please tell me.

 

[James Hunter]

Well, looks like the forum is going to beat a path en masse to Sandscale over the next week. I'll be one of them. Can I see a lesser twayblade between West London and Cumbria or is it too early at the moment? Someone please tell me.

I saw both in 2009 in this week. Suggest you follow the advice Sean has posted regarding Chilburn - we located the Lesser Twayblade with no help but it did take 2 hours!!

best of luck to everyone going North at the weekend

Cheers

James

 

[Gareth Stamp]

Those interested in seeing Coralroot might want to go to Sandscale haws over the next week or two. Best numbers since 1991, 898 counted so far with more to come.
http://sandscalehaws.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/coralroot-orchids.html?m=1

Is there a visitor centre at Sandscale Haws to ask for directions to the coralroots? If not would someone going this weekend be kind enough to PM directions? Thanks

 

[Ghostly Vision]

There is a warden's cottage on the right just before the car park, but there is only somebody there if the Landrover is on the drive.

The Coralroots are in four slacks, all of which are quite a walk from the car park. The nearest are 20 minutes' walk, the furthest 40 minutes. My advice is to contact the rangers. Given the record-breaking numbers, they may be doing more guided walks this weekend.

Address:
Roanhead, Hawthwaite Lane, near Barrow in Furness, Cumbria, LA14 4QJ

Telephone: 01229 462855
Email: [email protected]

They are very helpful and keen to show people what they have.

Slatts - Lesser Tway is best seen at Cliburn, taken there by the warden. There are other sites, but well off route for you.

 

[rmielcarek]

Later I went to Chappetts Copse to see the many SLH. Next to a beech tree there is a tall plant growing next to white helleborine still in bud. It has broader leaves and the top flowers are still tightly in bud. Is this a hybrid?

Yes!

We found two or three others in a quick search this afternoon - some are more obvious than others. The one you mention is the most obvious, and was there in 2013 when we last visited.

Rich M

 

[leptochila]

Thanks for update, I wish I could keep up on all these developments....

Join the BSBI!

 

[leptochila]

If anyone would rather see Lesser Twayblade in rather larger and more accessible numbers near Lake Vyrnwy, I'm more than happy to pass on details. As Sean mentions, a bit of a detour but worth it.

Mike

 

[muba]

If anyone would rather see Lesser Twayblade in rather larger and more accessible numbers near Lake Vyrnwy, I'm more than happy to pass on details. As Sean mentions, a bit of a detour but worth it.

Mike

and only a few yards from the road. You can spend your time photographing them rather than searching for hours

 

[Ghostly Vision]

For Cumbria Lesser Tways, Colin's phone number is 01697 350005, email [email protected]

 

[John P Lee]

Burnt Tip at Parsonage Down looking good last weekend. First greater butterfly and common spotted in flower in Devon. Last of the woodland early purples still in good flower but will not last much longer.

 

[Gravyboy]

First pyramidal orchid flowering in Devon today, although still only a few Southern marsh around. Lots of common twayblade including 3 trifoliata (and one with a single basal leaf and a the second leaf halfway up the stem)

 

[Simon1953]

Any news on Coralroots at Ainsdale? or, indeed, anywhere nearer to Hampshire than Sandscale! Nice though Sandscale Haws NNR is, it's a very long way from here!

 

[Matthebirder]

Join the BSBI!

It's a case of reading all the journals they send I'm afraid and finding any free days to get into the field. My trip to Scotland is a work trip really but will hopefully be flexible enough to get to some good spots. I usually manage to call in on some Scottish Coral Roots so will be interested to see numbers this year. :t:

 

[rmielcarek]

Dacts

Really good numbers of both Southern Marsh and Heath Spotted locally this year but I've yet to see a Common Spotted in flower.

What do people make of this plant, found at a site that normally only holds Heath Spotted (about a thousand this year, including three var leucanthas)- quite large with a tapering flower spike, unmarked leaves, large bracts, extensively marked lip and spotted sepals held in that odd, arching fashion. I'm assuming that it's probably just an extreme Heath but I'd be interested in other's opinion.

Rich

 

[SandscaleHaws Ranger]

Coralroots at Sandscale

Hello all,

If anyone is coming up to Sandscale Haws tomorrow (30th) to see the Coralroot orchids neither of us rangers will be working and unfortunately we don't currently have a visitor centre. However I'll be in the area for most of the day so give me a call on my work mobile 07483177988 and I'll be more than happy to come in and show you where they are. As it's such a big site and they are found a fair walk from the car park I'd advise not walking around trying to find them as it could take several hours if you're not very familiar with the site and where exactly they're found.

Jamie (Sandscale Ranger)

 

[Bodhyfryd]

Hello all,

If anyone is coming up to Sandscale Haws tomorrow (30th) to see the Coralroot orchids neither of us rangers will be working and unfortunately we don't currently have a visitor centre. However I'll be in the area for most of the day so give me a call on my work mobile 07483177988 and I'll be more than happy to come in and show you where they are. As it's such a big site and they are found a fair walk from the car park I'd advise not walking around trying to find them as it could take several hours if you're not very familiar with the site and where exactly they're found.

Jamie (Sandscale Ranger)

This offer is very much appreciated here. We are unable to come this weekend but are hoping that we might be able to divert to Sandscale next Friday from a trip to Northumbria. Noting Ghostly Vision's earlier comments about the relatively brief flowering period, do you think it likely that the plants would still be flowering in good numbers in a week's time or would they be past their best?

 

[davebent]

Cumbria/ NW Yorkshire

There are now 1300+ Coralroots counted at Sandscale, with one major population still to be checked. By the weekend there could well be 2000+, in the top three years at that site.

Will definitely be there this weekend. They seem to go over really quickly in the dune slack populations, so it may not be much to look at by then, Muba.

Nearest easy Lesser Tway site would probably be Cliburn Moss, you need to contact the warden, Colin Auld, to get access and be shown where they are. He is a really helpful guy.

I had a great couple of days in North West England on 2-3 June last year. Coralroot (only a few) and Early Marsh (Coccinea) at Sandscale, Greater Butterfly at Latterbarrow, Lesser Butterfly and a single Frog at Waitby, Lesser Twayblade near Kirkby Stephen (easy to find thanks to a fellow forum reader), Lady's Slipper at Gait Barrow and Small White at Asby. I can send location details if anyone is headed that way.

 

[Rafeabrook]

Bedfordshire Sites Update

Popped to Totternhoe Knolls on Thursday.

As usual, Twayblades and Man Orchids are first of the 8 species to show.

Man Orchids are all caged off this year with the shrubs cut back to show how many spikes there are. Looks like the Musks are getting the same treatment as well although they won't show for another few weeks at least.

Popped over to Fancott Meadows afterwards to see the early Frogs, and found them easily enough thanks to a grid ref from Peter (prevell) and a few sticks to mark them out! Thanks Peter.

Rafe