Ty Brith 2nd May 2023 (SJ 24198 17912)

It has ben 8 years since we were last here, but were prompted to come here after seeing it featured on Iolo Williams` Welsh Borderlands TV programme, where he said that there were 4 species of orchid here, including Green-winged Orchids. Previously we had only seen see Common Spotted and Heath Spotted orchids later in the season (about the time the filming was done). Well, a search of the four fields that makes up the reserve yielded no GWO nor EPO at all, despite what was said on the board at the entrance. Was this your source of your information Iolo? Plenty of Common Spotted Orchid activity though.

Llanymynech Rocks, 2nd May 2023 (SJ 26658 21742)

We have never been here this early in the season, so it is not unsurprising that I can add another species to this location. Both the English and the Welsh Quarries had a good, thriving population of Early Purple Orchids. Good range of colour to be seen, but sadly no pure whites.

Esgyryn 3rd May 2023 (SH 80627 78933)

Okay, so we have been here for the past two years, but I cannot resist another visit to a site where accessibility is easy and a good show is likely to be seen. I am not disappointed. What I do notice this year is that the Early Purple Orchids have spread to the entrance side of the hillock in good numbers, and are prominent on the slope to the left as you enter. This does not affect Green-winged Orchid numbers either, and I can see many tastefully backgrounded by the blue of Spring Squill in flower. On the far side of the monument Cowslips have taken over!

Gop Hill 3rd May 2023 (SJ 08790 80005)

And onto the main event as far as North Wales Green-winged Orchids are concerned. A fine display this year, perhaps one of the best, with all shades from pure white to deepest purple represented. The Early Purple Orchids have not come out in force, but some nice ones can be seen in the small quarry.

Erlas Black Wood 7th May 2023 (SJ 37772 50090)

A new site for me, right in the middle of Britain`s second largest industrial park. The Village Bakery next door holds the lease on this wood, and opened it up for the public in 2022. Early Purple Orchids can be found in groups through this small wood, with some nice colours to be seen.

Rhyd-y-Foel 12th May 2019 (SH 91209 76282)

I love this place in the spring sunshine; a little bit of woodland, less than 1 acre, stuffed with Early Purple Orchids, which then continues onto the open hillsides with great views (if you ignore the caravan sites of course). This visit I particularly noticed and abundance of both shades of pink, and two-tone orchids including pink and purple on one plant. I wonder how these may come about. One explanation is mosaicism - a bit like you get calico cats. This requires inheriting a gene for pink flowers from one parent and one for purple from the other parent. Then it also requires than one gene is switched off at the point where the different parts of the flower arise from a single cell. Must read up on this possibility.

Sandside 16th May 2023 (SD 48292 81172)

Who goes on a 210 mile round trip to visit a grass verge? An orchidiot of course, but it has to be worth it. I heard about these Fly Orchids and knew I had to visit. Well, the fact that it is right by the road meaning no ascents or 30 minute trek helps in the decision making process. Fly orchids are never that easy to spot, but eventually we see some 30 plants in flower. There may be more yet to flower. Those flowers in the fourth photo have rather pale margins to the lip, getting on towards Op. insectifers var. luteomarginata. there are also plenty if Common Twayblades here too, also not immediately obvious, and many in nice groups.

Silverdale Lots, 16th May 2023 (SD 45790 75156)

It would be madness, while up in Cumbria, not to visit Silverdale Lots once more. Plenty to see in the Early Purple Orchid and Green-winged Orchid lines; perhaps better than ever. Besides the cafe around the corner has some really good savoury pies etc. I have written enough in the past about the orchids here so will just post up some more pictures. However look at a couple of those EPO photos. There are some plants here growing to twice or more the height of the rest of the population. Are these just older plants, growing bigger year by year, or are they polyploid examples with double the usual 2n chromosome number. This is not unusual in plants. If it were just maturity logic suggests that there would be a plants of intermediate size.