This Blog covers nature sightings and related news in the Calderdale area.
It includes all groups - Plants, animals and fungi with links to specialist sites.
Anyone wishing to become a member of this Blog and post sightings please contact us.
If you would like to join the Halifax Scientific Society either email me or come along to the next meeting.
All welcome:
calderdalewildlifeblog@gmail.com
Please contact us about any sensitive records before posting on the blog

Saturday 7 June 2014

Orchid At Milner Royd

I first spotted this single Orchid growing several years ago.
Last year I looked for it but only found it after the flowers had died.
This year I have looked regularly but not seen any sign of it.
Last week Ali and I found it, recently stepped on but in full flower.


The leaves are unspotted.
Our best guess is Southern Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza praetermissa)


We then spent some time at Copley Redevelopment Site, always an interesting site for plants.
 My first sighting of Common Mallow (Malva sylvestris) there this year.



There are two (or three) forms of Common Vetch (Vicia sativa), one with narrow leaflets and one with broad. Both can be found at the site.


ssp nigra

ssp segetalis

 We also saw a lot of activity from Dragonflies of some sort but I was only able to get one clear image.


4 comments:

  1. Dragonfly may be a female Common Darter?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Philip. I thought this was a female Darter or Chaser but was put off my ID because I couldn't see any black marks on the wings. This may just be due to reflection. We did see many black and blue males, possibly Broad Bodied Chasers but they looked too slender to me. I'll have to return with more time to spare.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Keep a look out for Bee Orchids round there.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks Michael, it's always a treat to find an Orchid, I've not seen many in this area.

    ReplyDelete