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Some Orchids in North West Kent - 29th May 2016

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In 2013 I stumbled on a small patch of chalk grassland above an arable field between Great Buckland and Luddesdown. It was a wonderful mini habitat of the usual numerous wildflower species of chalk grassland and its associated butterflies and beetles. The revisiting of the site and nearby today was relatively brief just to see what was still there. This site is seriously scrubbing over and in a few years will be gone under a sea of Hawthorn and large shrubs. So my main purpose was to see if a small colony of Greater Butterfly Orchids were hanging on. I was pleased to see they were with 10 flowering plants there, the same number as previous years. This orchid is distinguished from the Lesser Butterfly in having the pollinia angled to each other. In the Lesser they are parallel. Plantanthera chlorantha The orchids here were not very tall and you can see the brambles beginning to invade their space. If unchecked these will be swamped soon.

East Kent Orchids & Other Rarities 29th May 2016

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It's been an awkward season trying to determine when to see wild orchids this year. Most species have come into flower later than usual, while others have been flowering at the usual time. Without a doubt most species are at least 2 weeks behind last years' flowering times. Our first stop was Wye National Nature Reserve near Ashford, a popular tourist spot with the Devil's Kneading Trough a favourite. It wasn't there we headed for but another more secluded area. There's only parking for 2 cars so if someone else is there it's a long walk back. However our luck was in and we parked easily. First up was this Cardinal Beetle which had me baffled due to its yellow head. I looked in all the books and on line and couldn't find a yellow-headed beetle at all. I eventually realised its head is covered in pollen! It should be red. Pyrochroa coccinea The tiny pretty flowers of Fairy Flax were just tarting to appear, easily missed as they are so