2015 UK Orchids (2 Viewers)

[jeffnsue]

The only tip I can offer, Anne, is the very obvious one: concentrate on the leaves, they're very different in colour to what the plant usually grows on. Would love to think I could join you on 15th but it's Sue's birthday and no doubt the grandchildren will have things planned for Grandma,
Jeff

 

[ladybee]

The only tip I can offer, Anne, is the very obvious one: concentrate on the leaves, they're very different in colour to what the plant usually grows on. Would love to think I could join you on 15th but it's Sue's birthday and no doubt the grandchildren will have things planned for Grandma,
Jeff

Good tip, thanks Jeff. Happy Birthday to Sue.

 

[Ghostly Vision]

Good tip, thanks Jeff. Happy Birthday to Sue.

Email me at my yahhoo address, Anne.

 

[Ghostly Vision]

Revisited the Gloucestershire Burnt Orchid site yesterday evening.

It is a really lovely place, covered in wild flowers, and dripping with expectation.

A few of my pics from yesterday attached.

 

[davidearlgray]

Is it possible someone could send me details and directions for the Lesser Twayblades at Lake Vrynwy? As I still need it for my British Orchid list!

Cheers,
Dave.

 

[prhodes]

Now seven Late Spider Orchids in flower at the Wye site with more on there way. First time I've seen this species. Thanks for advice guys. Great care exercised, as always. Phil

 

[Benjamin Ofield]

Just got back from a very tiring weekend!! First up to Sandscale for Coralroot then Lake Vyrnwy for Lesser Twayblade on Saturday. The Coralroots were amazing with plenty still in good condition, lesser Twayblade took me forever to find.
Today I went for Late spider at Wye these were my first in the UK so was really happy to see them, then I went to Darland banks for Man orchids. A cracking weekend all thanks to everyone on Birdforum who helped me out.

Cheers Ben

 

[ladybee]

Greater Butterfly orchids just starting to flower at a North Notts site today, along with Common Spotted and Common Twayblade. A nice protected roadside verge, shame about the trampling.

 

[rmielcarek]

And aren't the "Pugsley's" in the south now considered southern marsh, ssp schoenophila?

Here's a couple of pics of schoenophila, just coming into flower locally and, on the right, a couple of pics of a presumed hybrid with Heath Spotted. The photo in the middle shows why hybrids occur!

Rich M

 

[muba]

Many thanks to Neil for the instructions to the Coralroots at Sandscale. Without those I would have spent hours on possibly a fruitless quest. I hope I left them as I found them, and can leave them undisturbed in the future.

 

[James Hunter]

Many thanks to all those that helped with gen for the weekend

Noar Hill: Saw the 3 ochroleuca Flys - rain had made the slope a bit muddy and slippy! Stunning plants and far more robust than the last one I saw in Kent about 12 years ago. Had a look for Musk but too early.

Hen Wood: SLH starting to go over.

Bird'sNest orchid looking good as was the SLH X WH hybrid

Several Broad-leaved Helleborine leaves now visible

New Forest: Lots of Heath Spotted.

Pig Bush: Lesser Butterfly starting to flower and in the wet bits 3 EMO var Ochrantha stood out like beacons

Rex Graham: Military Orchids in good flower - there is an annex this year next to the main pit that has open access

Cheers

James

 

[JCL]

Rex Graham: Military Orchids in good flower - there is an annex this year next to the main pit that has open access

Cheers

James

They were last year too. Roped off to prevent trampling but still close approach permissible.

James

 

[rmielcarek]

Here's a couple of pics of schoenophila, just coming into flower locally ....

And this isn't schoenophila, although exactly what it is your guess is as good as mine. That's my Swarovski bins in the bottom of the pic so you can see how weedy it is. All the plants at this site are similar.

Aren't Dacts fun/a pain, make your choice.

Rich M

 

[leptochila]

I saw the Lady Orchids at Yockletts on a quick trip there yesterday, but not the other stuff - were they further in? I may go back anon can you give me some idea where they are?

Hi John

They were all along the main path that runs through the right-hand side of the wood (as you look up hill - technically the southern part). There were also a couple of clearings where we saw some very large plants intermingled with White Helleborines of fairly large stature themselves.

Mike

 

[Gareth Stamp]

Enjoyable if tiring trip to Sandscale Haws on Sunday. Plenty still in good condition but many also going over. Challenging taking photos in very windy conditions. Also visited Gaitbarrows where lady's slipper were in good flower. Found at least 6 dark red helleborines but still a way off yet.

Visited Little Asby but could not locate any small white orchids. Northern marsh orchids starting to flower. Well what I presume are northern marsh but they seem very washed out without the typical diamond shaped flower.

Today I was working in Powys and was able to visit Vicarage Meadows on the way home. Plenty of heath spotted orchid in flower with more to come. After some time I found one small white orchid but it was still some way off.
Superb display of globeflower down the road at Cae Pwll y Bo.

Many thank to those who gave me directions to the coralroots.

 

[Matthebirder]

Just a note from north of Scotland. Northern Marsh hardly visible in some places I've seen them before. It's still like winter up here still according to some locals. Will be driving down NW Coast tomorrow so may improve. Great views of a mainland Corncrake some consolation.

 

[markm]

Sandscale,Latter Barrow and Gait Barrows

Thanks to Chris and the wardens for the directions to the coral root ,quite a challenge but a great day out.

 

[muba]

Thanks to Chris and the wardens for the directions to the coral root ,quite a challenge but a great day out.

Latterbarrow is a site to be treasured. Small and close to the main road. Perfect

 

[Matthebirder]

Follow up on Scottish Coralroots near Kingston. Had a quick look this morning and found two fully flowering plants only, with a few more on the way maybe a week away. Nothing like last year when there were many.

 

[CornishExile]

Just a note from north of Scotland. Northern Marsh hardly visible in some places I've seen them before. It's still like winter up here still according to some locals. Will be driving down NW Coast tomorrow so may improve. Great views of a mainland Corncrake some consolation.

And news from here in Shetland - it really is still like winter here with unrelenting north-westerlies yet a-flipping-gain. Early Purples and Frogs were absolutely peachy on Unst last week, but Heath Spots are only just starting to flower (and many are still tight buds at ground level) and I've yet to see a sniff of a Northern Marsh - the ones in my north-facing field are nowhere to be seen. Lesser Twayblades are out but as tricksy as ever to find in dense heather.

I reckon our Bogs and Heath Fragrants could be uber-late if this goes on.

I've an orchid-hunting article and photos in '60 North' magazine this month - will post a link to it once it's online if anyone fancies a read.

ce