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.
Dragonfly may be a female Common Darter?
ReplyDeleteThanks 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.
ReplyDeleteKeep a look out for Bee Orchids round there.
ReplyDeleteThanks Michael, it's always a treat to find an Orchid, I've not seen many in this area.
ReplyDelete