Travel to foreign parts is all very rewarding - loads of exotic orchids and other botany but it is also satisfying to do the local patch. Yes - I know it's repetitive but it is also reassuring to know that small populations of fragile species are continuing to thrive. So first up was a trip out onto the Downs to see a stand of Birds-nest Orchids, Neottia nidus avis.
I have monitored these for a good few years and the most satisfying thing is that when I arrive at the site I can see the dead stalks from the previous year in the gloom of the beech wood. Confirming that probably very few people have been there. Sadly this year I was a bit previous and there were twelve stems just emerging. Needing a specimen to photograph I cast about the woodland and managed to find at least another dozen plants, some in full bloom so I was happy.
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| Birds-nest Orchids, Neottia nidus-avis. |
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| Birds-nest Orchids, Neottia nidus-avis. |
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| Birds-nest Orchids, Neottia nidus-avis. |
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| Birds-nest Orchids, Neottia nidus-avis. |
Next outing was a bit of a round trip locally, starting on the coast to see and record a population of Marsh Orchids. Both Early Marsh Orchid, Dactylorhiza incarnata and Southern Marsh Orchid, Dactylorhiza praetermissa grow here along with Common Spotted Orchid, Dactylorhiza fuchsii. Of course knowing how promiscuous orchids can be, there is a healthy population of hybrids which confuses just about everyone. One of the benefits can be "hybrid vigour" resulting in some very large stems indeed.
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| Southern Marsh Orchid, Dactylorhiza praetermissa |
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| Southern Marsh Orchid, Dactylorhiza praetermissa |
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| Early Marsh Orchid, Dactylorhiza incarnata |
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| Early Marsh Orchid, Dactylorhiza incarnata |
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| Common Spotted Orchid, Dactylorhiza fuchsii |
Second visit was an attempt to count Frog Orchids, Dactylorhiza viridis. The problem was that try as I might I couldn't find any, then as I stood there pondering, I looked down and there at my feet a single specimen. Duly recorded but I was puzzled that I couldn't get my eye in and find more. I did notice some very pale specimens of Common Spotted Orchids and made a note to myself to make a return visit to find var. albiflora.
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| Frog Orchid, Dactylorhiza viridis |
Third site was a failure in that no orchids were showing, this protected roadside strip usually hosts masses of Pyramidal Orchids, along with the ubiquitous Commons and a sprinkling of Bee Orchids. However, it was pleasing that the contractors haven't driven a mower through it.
Fast forward a few days and I was making a return visit for Frog Orchids and a search for a white CSO. Everything had come on leaps and bounds, I stopped counting Frogs sometime after I reached 35 and there were plenty of white orchids to be inspected. None were completely free of anthocyanin, present as small purple spots on the labellum so could not be counted a var. albiflora
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| Frog Orchid, Dactylorhiza viridis |
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| Frog Orchid, Dactylorhiza viridis |
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| Frog Orchid, Dactylorhiza viridis |
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| Frog Orchid, Dactylorhiza viridis |
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| Common Spotted Orchid, Dactylorhiza fuchsii |
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| Common Spotted Orchid, Dactylorhiza fuchsii |
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| Common Spotted Orchid, Dactylorhiza fuchsii |
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| Common Spotted Orchid, Dactylorhiza fuchsii |
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| Common Spotted Orchid, Dactylorhiza fuchsii |
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| Six-spot Burnet Moth,Zygaena filipendulae |
Next evening I received an email from Dawn and Jim, they, well Dawn, had found a Frog Orchid x Common Spotted Orchid. Looking at the coordinates on Google earth I had been standing within 5ft of it the day before and had not noticed its presence. So an early morning foray was called for and I set out before 0630 and the coordinates were so good that I had found and recorded it before 0700.
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| Dactylorhiza viridis x fuchsii |
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| Dactylorhiza viridis x fuchsii |
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| Dactylorhiza viridis x fuchsii |
With spare time before breakfast I hopped to another of my favourite Sussex venues. Hopefully to catch up with some Chalk Fragrant Orchids, Gymnadenia conopsea and Bee Orchids, Ophrys apifera. Success on both counts and an added bonus that the first brood Adonis Blues were emerging in good numbers.
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| Chalk Fragrant Orchid, Gynadenia conopsea |
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| Chalk Fragrant Orchid, Gynadenia conopsea |
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| Chalk Fragrant Orchid, Gynadenia conopsea |
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| Chalk Fragrant Orchid, Gynadenia conopsea |
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| Bee Orchid, Ophrys apifera |
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| Bee Orchid, Ophrys apifera |
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| Bee Orchid, Ophrys apifera |
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| Bee Orchid, Ophrys apifera |
Copulating pairs of Adonis Blues were everywhere, some of the females with wings that had yet to be "inflated" were fending off suitors. Others were happily perched creating the second brood which emerges in August.
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| Adonis Blue, Polyommatus bellargus |
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| Adonis Blue, Polyommatus bellargus |
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| Adonis Blue (f), Polyommatus bellargus |
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| Adonis Blue, Polyommatus bellargus |
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| Adonis Blue, Polyommatus bellargus |
On the way down through the dean it was obvious where the cattle had spent most of the night, there was an abundance of fresh cow pats and the butterflies were not being hesitant. If I had had the time I would have staked out a likely pat and settled down until the surface was completely covered in butterflies, such is their desire for whatever the steaming brown object holds.
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| Adonis Blue, Polyommatus bellargus |
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| Adonis Blue, Polyommatus bellargus |
As I made my way to the car I met a couple of walkers, probably doing a section of the South Downs Way. Noticing my camera they enquired as to what I had been photographing. "Orchids" said I, "Orchids?" was the incredulous reply. So I related to them where they might find such wonders but as they say "Some fell on stony ground"
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