| Re: Are orchids protected?
Hi,
The short answer to your question is yes, orchids are protected, although some more than others. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 section 13 1(b) all wild flowers are protected from uprooting and some rare plants, including various orchids have more protection in section 13 1(a) against picking & destruction.
However, firstly you need to show that the plants are ‘wild’ i.e. part of a semi-natural habitat and secondly that they are being uprooted or if rare, picked (cut) or destroyed. In any case the Council should identify what they are cutting before they do it again.
Having said that, wildflower habitat normally requires cutting to stop scrub or other rank grasses from dominating, so cutting the grass is good. However, it should be done at the right time of year and the cuttings removed to prevent the soil fertility increasing. I don’t know the circumstances of this case but it sounds like the Council may just be cutting at the wrong time of year through ignorance or for safety reasons e.g. sight lines near a road junction. I’d get in touch with the Council Biodiversity Officers and see if the mowing regime can be changed so there will be flowers in the years to come. Getting in touch with the Council isn’t being a busybody, they have legal responsibilities to Biodiversity.
As an ex local authority Biodiversity officer I can say that staff Biodiversity staff are probably over worked and like it when the public help identify problems for them. I’ve just done an ecological survey of a bit of boring grassland near my house, which belongs to the Council with some management advice and they were happy that someone actually cared about the site and are supporting the changes. So don’t worry, get stuck in and protect your walk.
Good Luck, Chris  |