British orchid hunting (part 2)
My walking boots finally lost their long struggle with life and got replaced recently. The just as I was about to go and try breaking them in, the British weather did what it normally does and decided to complete mess all my plans up. I spent the bank holiday weekend here the UK lying in the shade panting like an old dog as the country was suddenly subjected to 30+°C temperatures. In May. Crazy.
Anyway, this weekend, whilst still too hot for the month of May, was slightly more bearable if I went out early enough. So I took my boots for a spin. The location - a very regular walk, where I knew I would find lots of common spotted orchids (Dactylorhiza maculata if you're keeping notes) and a good chance of finding a Greater butterfly orchid (Platanthera chlorantha) there is also a spot down the road with Bee orchids (Ophrys apifera) but its still a little early for those, even allowing for the insane August like weather.
Boots and rucksack in car off to a remote lay-by presumably used by lorry drivers to have a kip, a pee and a vape based on evidence, but usually quiet and empty at the weekend. First off, is the farmland - Mr Farmer had added lots of lovely rotting hay in piles just after the stile and put barbed wire across it - excellent - Clarkson be damned, when I'm in charge, farmers will be whipped repeatedly until they repeat 'Footpaths should remain open'. The meadow is however home to some Common spotted in between the Self Heal (Prunella vulgaris).
Common spotted Orchid
Up the hills to the secret spots. A remote untouched meadow with lots more common spotted and in a tucked away corner - the butterfly orchid.
Back through some woods and Mr Farmer has left a rotting pile of rubbish including plastics and lots of tree branches blocking the path. Whipped I tell you! I do parkour to get past the giant logs and finally make it back to the car. Boots seem ok, need a little more breaking in but the orchids were just right!