Orchids in Kent

Today was an early season foray into deepest Kent. More of a recce trip to familarise ourselves with some of the main orchid sites. An early start left us plenty of time to have a long walk around Denge Forest, the truth is that I had lost my bearings and we were lost too. 

First up was Bonsai Bank, a place that I visited mid May last year and I knew that we should catch up with some early Lady Orchids and hopefully a Duke of Burgundy butterfly as a bonus.  And so it proved, lots of emerging orchids,one or two almost in full flower and some cracking newly emerged Dukes.

Why do they always get a bit of  grass over the wing?

We also found evidence of other orchids,  Common Twayblades were well on their way and Greater Butterfly were not far behind. Early Purples were in good numbers but starting to go over.


Next site was Yockletts Bank, we only circumnavigated the northern section but managed to find more Lady Orchids, lots of Common Twayblades and just a single Fly Orchid. Had we been more diligent I am sure we could have found more Fly Orchids but we were early in the season and we wanted to press on.

There can be a wide variation in colour

A bonus Green Hairstreak

Third Venue was Park Gate Down were we found a host of Early Purple Orchids and precious little else. Another couple of weeks and the EPOs will have disappeared, to be replace by Monkey and Fly Orchids.

Final venue was Samphire Hoe, two reasons to pay a visit. Firstly the Early Spider Orchids but more importantly to have a cup of tea at the cafe. When we arrived we surveyed the area and Martin stated that it was a large area to cover and wondered where we might find the orchids. No problem - we asked the cheerful wardens who directed us to the overflow car park. Sure enough in the central circle of the car park and beneath the low wooden fence on the perimeter were plenty of ESOs. Click, click, click - job done and time for tea.

All in all a great day out which will make our visit in a fortnight's time much easier and give us the opportunity to visit one or two extra venues.

Some from earlier in the week, Pearl-bordered Fritillaries from the main ride of Rewell Wood in West Sussex - an annual event to witness their emergence.