Friends of Groyne No.4: Bog, Red and Marsh

A Hat Trick of orchids in the same week. Our plan had us down in the New Forest searching for the diminutive but charming Bog Orchid, Hammarbya paludosa. Search being the operative word, just about 4cm in height and of a colour that blends in perfectly with the surrounding flora makes this one difficult to find. We started at the likely venue of Hatchet Pond, all the indicators were present, Sphagnum, Bog Myrtle, Sundew, White Beak Sedge, Cotton Grass and Cross Leaved Heath, how could we fail to find the little devils in such perfect conditions? Even the boggy conditions were ideal, that welly sucking, deep sinking, smelly mire was just right. Alas, after a couple of hours walking with the head bent in that orchid searching attitude, with a hot sun beating down and several puzzled dog walkers asking what we were looking for - we retired hurt and set off for another venue. And so it continued, Wilverley and Homesley produced nothing.

Finally we decided to give Stoney Cross a go, a widespread search of likely places produced yet another blank, disheartened we decided to set off for home. Just as we approached the car park we had the view of a gentleman, down on his knees in a bog, camera positioned just six inches above his subject. Even to the most unaware this was a huge clue that we had something to investigate. As we approached we enquired - "Have you got one?" "Yes - several" came the reply and our spirits rose instantaneously.

Orchidophiles are, in general, a secretive bunch, so it was refreshing to meet a couple who were so generous with information about where to find orchids. When they had completed their photography we moved in, taking immense care not to destroy any specimens, that said, the site was fairly churned up, I guess the nearby ponies are keen to get at the fresh growth afforded by the presence of so much water. A big thank you to our fellow orchid hunters, and the story was yet to continue.

Bog Orchid, Hammarbya paludosa

Next venue was a site in North Hampshire, specifically to look for Marsh Helleborine. We arrived in glorious early morning sunshine and ventured into the reserve. Fifteen minutes later we were elated to find about ten spikes of what is a delightfully photogenic orchid. We snapped away until we were happy, ignoring the Southern Marsh Orchids that were sadly past their prime. Returning to the car blissfully ignorant of the exact location of a host of orchids - more of this later.

Marsh Helleborine, Epipactis palustris

Some months previously, Martin had booked a couple of places on the guided tour for the Red Helleborine of Windsor Hill. Berks, Bucks and Oxon. Wildlife Trust who protect what is one of the UK's rarest orchids, they monitor the flowering status of the plants and if one of them decides to flower then you are invited to join a group to record and photograph the specimen.

We arrived at the site rather early, just as the first guided tour returned to the roadside parking. Who should we meet? None other than our orchid acquaintances from the New Forest. More information swapping and we then realised that we had missed the best site for MH and that other species were worth recording, so we planned a revisit on our way home.

Now for the main business of the day, we were collected up by the guides and led into the beech forest, down a slightly disguised pathway into the deep dark wood. At last we came upon a clearing, a fenced off area reminiscent of a POW compound in miniature. I was surprised that the watchtowers on each corner were missing. Into an inner compound, jokingly called "Fort Knox" - much more robust wire on this structure. Lo and behold, right in the middle, Britain's only flowering Red Helleborine of 2019. Life tick, much joy and much clicking of camera shutters. Oddly I found this to be amusing in that just two weeks before I had been in Greece and Red Helleborines were a common roadside plant.

Red Helleborine, Cephelanthera rubra

For comparison some photographs from Greece -perhaps one day we may have a few more of our own dotted around the countryside

Red Helleborine, Cephelanthera rubra - Greece

Kindly, the guides invited the group to see Musk Orchids at a nearby venue, we passed on the offer, having recently recorded them at Park Gate and we were keen to return to another venue.

With orchids there is one simple fact - you have to be in exactly the right place. Our return to the MH site revealed the presence of many more MH, SMO and Marsh Fragrant Orchids to be recorded along with at least two varieties. Another big thank you to our Orchid friends and oddly we still haven't introduced ourselves yet, so they remain anonymous.

Post Script

Subsequent conversation with Jim L confirmed that it was Simon and Sue - everyone in the orchidosphere knows everyone else - of course.