Am struggling to ID these two, can anyone help please?
Pics were taken 5th/6th Jun 2018 and Location is the eastern edge of the Mendips, in Somerset. Both are within a couple of hundred meters of each other, in damp grassland, and height is about 13". Although plant 2 has striking bluish flowers I'm assuming they're the same species(?). Also, plant 1 is just upwind of a large colony of fuchsii and amongst them are several very large and robust specimens with leopard-spotted leaves, red flowers and wide lips - quite spectacular. I'm guessing these are hybrids of fuchsii and plant 1.
No Southern or Early Marsh are listed at the site and it's well-outside the Northern's range. Within a few miles are colonies of Southern Marsh but they are only just opening whereas these guys are in full flower and starting to set-seed. My first thoughts were Early Marsh but NBN shows sparse records for Somerset and the nearest report is some distance away - so it's got me stumped.
And ideas?
All Southern Marsh.
Flowering time can be variable, even between colonies that are not far apart. I monitor a number of colonies in NE Somerset, some started to flower in early May, others just starting this week.
Your large hybrids will be x grandis (CSO x SMO).
Can you PM me the site details, I live in the Chew Valley
Rich M
I had Vicarage Meadows in mind for seeing Small White orchid , but i haven't been for about 2 years , so i was wondering if anyone had visited lately .....
Appreciate any feedback
Hi. Dylan. Like you we haven't been in recent years, but a phone call to the warden might give you more up-to-date information about the state of play last year. Certainly numbers were very small the last time we went.
Just had a good morning in Warwickshire although very humid!
Eleven man orchids at the usual site with an abundance of greater butterfly, twayblade and common spotted.
Word of warning though, when taking a photo of a greater butterfly an adder came within a couple of inches of my hand as I moved the camera into position and spooked it. Never seen an adder move so fast - or myself for that matter!
Then a 20 minute journey to Draycote Meadows to see the swathes of green winged orchids, plus many common spotted. (Small coppers showing nicely too).
Waiting for lightning storms now, though can’t be like last night, surely?
Didn’t know about the Facebook group, but have sent a request. Not sure what they will see that proves I don’t want to steel orchids though as I have to have tight settings because of my job.
Can anyone give any news of the situation of Fen orchids at Kenfig this year?
Yes I can .....!! I visited last week and i found 3 colonies c.14-16 plants
If you make your way to the Bird Hide and then follow the main path heading in a right hand direction . Proceed across heading towards the main dune slack , i found 10 plants at the southern end of the slack . I noticed that where the Marsh helleborines were budding i found Fen orchids , obliviously this is not cast iron but that was my experience .
Incidentally I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the precise on-site directions to the Minera Frog orchids .....though i think next year i will attempt to get here a week or so earlier . i found 6 species of orchid at the site , my first visit here but certainly not my last . Will be looking forward to searching for Autumn gentians
The local "celebrity" Iolo Williams seen at Minera too ...
I have just realised as i looked this thread that i didn't update on my visit to Vicarage Meadows
After a 2 hour hunt i found none ......2 GBO and many Health fragrant and countless HSO
Whilst in mid-Wales i rang the warden at Elan Valley , a site i had visited in previous years to see Bog orchid but upsettingly i was told now that after suspected theft they are now considered extinct at this site.. ( I mean how would do such a thing .......?)
I have just realised as i looked this thread that i didn't update on my visit to Vicarage Meadows
After a 2 hour hunt i found none ......2 GBO and many Health fragrant and countless HSO
Whilst in mid-Wales i rang the warden at Elan Valley , a site i had visited in previous years to see Bog orchid but upsettingly i was told now that after suspected theft they are now considered extinct at this site.. ( I mean how would do such a thing .......?)