Prestatyn Hills NR 25th April 2019 (SJ 07159 82104)

In order to discover orchids in some places I studied the OS Land Ranger maps of N.E. Wales as a starting point, and marked some likely places to visit. This site above the town of Prestatyn was first on the agenda. We do find a some Early Purple Orchids scattered along the woodland path and more on the more open ground at the top. Nothing to write home about - all are pretty bog standard colouring.

Craig Fawr 25th April 2019 (SJ 06122 80419)

We have been here, on the top slopes of the hill and found it to be a large dog's toilet and no orchids. Only the first of those now applies for we did actually find one small forlorn group of Early Purple Orchids.

Gop Hill 25th April 2019 (SJ 08790 80005)

As usual Gop Hill fails to disappoint. This year the Green-winged Orchids are very numerous, and are spreading further down the hillside than previously. The well cropped turf ensures that they are quite stunted at this site. We find flowers in all shades from pure white and palest pink through to deep purple. By contrast the Early Purple Orchids seem reduced in numbers and are confined to the quarry area, and lurking by the gorse. Our sojourn here is cut short by a hailstorm!!

Rhyd-y-Foel 29th April 2019 (SH 91209 76282)

I was in two minds whether to publicly share the location of this site as it was one of the best displays of Early Purple Orchids I have seen. However, it is best that more can enjoy them. There must be around a thousand plants in flower in a small piece of unmanaged woodland next to the village road, and below a steep hill crowned, as usual, by an ancient hillfort. Whilst no albino forms are present there is a good variety of colour. One comment made on social media was "Thick on the ground there". That is certainly true.

Little Orme 29th April 2019 (SH 81319 82125)

A few Early Purple Orchids grow in the same area that we found Autumn Lady's Tresses last August, but they do seem to be just about clinging on. A walk up the path to the `wilder' part of the rock ellicited no more orchids

Mynydd Marian 29th April 2019 (SH 88999 77358)

Having found a location for Green-winged Orchids on this hill we looked for them last year and drew a blank. This year however, they are exactly where they should be and in good numbers. The bad news is that they are on private land so I had to be satisfied with a shot of the field over the wall and the barbed wire. A few pink forms there too