Darwins Orchis Bank

[Dan Salter]

Spent the day at KWT Downe Bank reserve today brush cutting and clearing bramble.

Downe bank reserve is in bromley i think and is famous as being DARWINS "Orchis bank" , he lived nearby at Downe house i believe and studied the 11 or more species of orchid that grow on the bank and walked the area 3 times a day ! i also read its talked about in the final chapter of "origin of species"

I didnt know any of this until today to be honest but im intrigued by it all !

Highlight for me today other than the many fungus and a late flowering little plant i think i have i.d'd as Herb Robert? or maybe Little Robin was a herd (is that right?) of Roe deer that trotted through the wood as we arrived? ok so these are common for most of you but where i live in kent we dont see them...i havent seen a wild deer of any sort in a few years so that was cool ! i guess around that part of bromley they are common?

Dan

[Wild-Woman]

[quote=Dan Salter;77736]Spent the day at KWT Downe Bank reserve today brush cutting and clearing bramble.

Downe bank reserve is in bromley i think and is famous as being DARWINS "Orchis bank" , he lived nearby at Downe house i believe and studied the 11 or more species of orchid that grow on the bank and walked the area 3 times a day ! i also read its talked about in the final chapter of "origin of species"

I didnt know any of this until today to be honest but im intrigued by it all !

Highlight for me today other than the many fungus and a late flowering little plant i think i have i.d'd as Herb Robert? or maybe Little Robin was a herd (is that right?) of Roe deer that trotted through the wood as we arrived? ok so these are common for most of you but where i live in kent we dont see them...i havent seen a wild deer of any sort in a few years so that was cool ! i guess around that part of bromley they are common?

Downe House is well worth a visit if you want to get a true feeling of the great man.
In lots of respects,he was the perfect family man and gentleman, who treated all men as equals.
His study is as it was-amazing. I closed my eyes and just pictured him there.
Inspiring stuff for us nature lovers.
jules

PS the gardens are great too

[badgerwatcher]

Sounds great, Dan. I'd never heard of it. Must try and get there.

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

............Downe House is well worth a visit if you want to get a true feeling of the great man.
.................. His study is as it was-amazing. I closed my eyes and just pictured him there.
Inspiring stuff for us nature lovers.
jules

The most impressive thing is a mock-up of his cabin on the Beagle - a tiny space with specimens, books and papers all neatly boxed and sorted. And no computer to clutter up the desk ....

[Deer Stalker]

Originally Posted by Dan Salter

Highlight for me today other than the many fungus and a late flowering little plant i think i have i.d'd as Herb Robert? or maybe Little Robin was a herd (is that right?) of Roe deer that trotted through the wood as we arrived?

Hi Dan.
Could have been Herb Robert as it can flower late.
Roe are usually solitary but sometimes come togther in family groups. Always good to see.