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Loggerheads near Mold, 18th June 2011
Previous visits to this country park have uncovered a small population of Common Spotteds, and they are still here, perhaps a bit better than last time, at the top of the cliffs. But today we have come in search of Green Flowered Helleborines. Summerhayes reports that E. vectensis was discovered near Mold in 1919, and the records of GFH growing on the wooded limestone hills between Loggerheads and Cilcain to the west of Mold may refer to descendants of these even though the original colony was never re-discovered. We follow the footpaths off the beaten track through the woods and skirting old pits but find nothing.
Monkeys! 7th June 2011
Down in Kent the night before a ferry trip to France and a trip out to Parkgate Down to see the Monkey Orchids is a great idea. Despite the late nights the sun is getting low in the sky (see photo), but its still plenty light enough. We park by the stile and are greeted by a swarm of Fragrant Orchids in full flower on the steep bank. Some really good large specimens too. Moving onto the second field we come across the Monkey Orchids. I have read that these are here via seed introduction, but no matter, its great to see one of the RARE species. Sadly they are a few days past their best, but I still can find some good ones to photograph. And there is the inevitable D. fuchsii. Unfortunately there is no sign of any Fly Orchids or Greater Butterfly Orchids that reside here, nor Lady Orchids that may be here. We search across three fields, so does the reserve stretch further? Did we look under the hedgerows sufficiently. I must confess that the Monkey in the middle of the field did keep our attention.
   
Monkey Orchids Fragrant Orchids
Parkgate Down evening
A trip afterwards to Yockletts Bank was less successful. By now the sun was setting properly and a walk along the path through the woods was beginning to seem pointless, though a Greater Butterfly of some height did indeed seem to glow in the murk; just did not work for the camera unfortunately
Sun setting on flower meadow
at Yockletts Bank
Llynclys Common, 4th June 2011
This is a local site I have not visited before but always meant to. This is limestone country, with quarries at the other end of the hill, and on the hill on the opposite side of the road. Today though we concentrate on the Common. And I should have come here before, as it has lived up to expectations and promises, even though not all the species claimed to be here were found. A bit of a steep climb up from the Llanrhaedr road and taking one of the woodland paths led to a clearing where there are some excellent Lesser Butterfly Orchids. There were possibly 20 flower spikes but there could have been more if I had searched deeper. Then its onto the common proper, where more Butterflies are bordering the path by the hedges. There are more LBO growing by the side of the path. Across the well grazed turf is a rocky limestone bump and its here we find more. There are Early Purples but these are well past flowering though still recognisable. Some nice big Twayblades are dotted here and there, and of course the Common Spotted in various shades and sizes and patterns. Carrying on heading south there are a few Southern Marsh Orchids and Heath Spotted. There is also a rather robust march orchid with features, on close examination, suggest a hybrid between the Southern Marsh and Common Spotted - Dactylorhiza x Grandis; it is well named. All except the hybrid were reasonably common in both open bracken infested areas and open woodland. Sadly no Frog Orchids were found, though they may have finished flowering and been less obvious, nor Bee Orchids.
  
P. bifolia N. ovata D. praetissima
On the way back to the car we deviate to a former quarry near the road called Scabby Rock. Again we find a nice mix of orchids over quite a small area: P. bifloia, N. ovata, D x grandis, A. pyramidalis and some unopened flowers, probably G. conopsea?
 
P. bifolia x Grandis
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