Esgyryn 6th May 2022 (SH 80627 78933)

A return visit here, and this year, while the Green-winged Orchids are similar in numbers to 2021 and are largely still restricted to the east facing exposed slopes of the hill, the Early Purple Orchids seem to be present in greater numbers and are showing quite range of colours - nice.

 
The Green-winged Orchids

 
The range of colours of the Early Purple Orchids
  

Bryn Pydew 6th May 2002 (SH SH 81250 78947)

After the visit to the obelisk hill we walked up the lane and down a track that led to a glamping site at the back of Bryn Pydew village. Here was a small selection of Early Purple Orchids including some nice pink and very pale examples. But first a peek over a wall into a rather large garden revealed a ‘forest’ of Early Purples under the shade of a large beech tree. I wish I had my big lens with me for this as they were some 80 yards distant. Nice as it is to have these, I wouldn’t fancy having to tend the rest of such a large lawn.

Halkyn Mountain 9th May 2022 (SJ 18698 71776)

Previous visits here have proved quite fruitless, so I was surprised when I saw Early Purple Orchids from here on a social media post lat year. On enquiring where, I was told they were along the top of the quarry. There was a footpath following the quarry rim (at a safe distance and fenced of course) but walking this it seemed as if we were doomed to another fruitless visit, when suddenly we came upon a mass of them occupying just a 40 foot length of a steep bank. It was if all the Early Purples of the mountain had upped and gathered at the one spot. Come summer this entire bank will be a mass of bracken, but for now it is livened up with a shot of purple. This success is rather ironic, because I realise that we are at the rim of a different quarry to the one I imagined they were. I had just chosen one with a road very close.

Silverdale Lots, 12th May 2022 (SD 45790 75156)

Another repeat visit, one year after the first, and the same two species present. There the similarities end, for this one enclosed field is awash with orchids, even better than last year, and perhaps even more variety.
The Green-winged Orchids come in all shades; purple, mauve, pink, near white, and two-tones thereof.

The Early Purple Orchids are not so exhibitionist, and so that other species does distract attention away from them. However, there is much to be seen, including a few pure white Var. albas to be found, and they can put on quite a show.

If you have not been here before it is well worth the trip on a nice sunny day in May. I believe this is also home to Autumn Lady`s-tresses - I wonder ......

Arnside Knott 12th May 2022 (SD 44985 77356)

The same cannot be said for this site, at least as far as I am concerned. In 2012 we found nothing, and little more seven years ago. I remember saying it was not worth coming back, but we were in the vicinity with a bit of time on our hands, and nowhere else planned. Recollecting which way we went last time, we struck off the other direction and found ourselves going steadily up. Finally we found a handful of Early Purple Orchids in the vicinity of the trig point (yes we had to climb to the top to see something).

One more thing about this site. The track to the car parking is a disgrace. More than a few car suspensions could be broken on it. The National Trust ought to repair it, but I suspect they use the potholes as a means of keeping car speeds down to 5 mph.