The Amazing Early Spider Orchids of Samphire Hoe & Much More, Kent - 15/04/17
After the wonderful surprise the day before of finding four orchid species in flower including Lady, Fly, Common Twayblade and Early Purple Orchid (plus a variant), we set off to Samphire Hoe for a change of venue and somewhere nice by the sea for a walk. I didn't think there would be any Early Spider Orchids out yet. Many people had been studiously looking for them for the past few weeks and I hadn't seen any reported in flower yet. However, Samphire Hoe is a wildlife haven with plenty of other things to see, so finding an orchid wasn't the main purpose of the trip. There are always Stonechats here, a lovely little bird that sings it heart out. I couldn't get any photos today but I took this photo last year in Wales It's a great place for butterflies as well. Several Wall butterflies were seen (again photo is from last year) but proved elusive and they didn't settle long anywhere. Several of the Whites, a Red Admiral and what looked