Fly orchid story

[leifus]

Ever since I started to love the wild world and, in particular, flowers, I have always wanted to see the fly orchid which in my mind was rare and beautiful. Of course, in real life that is also the case. In 2003, three fly orchids were recorded in a wood near me and so the other day I decided to go and have a look to see if I could find these amazing plants. I got to the site, searched for 30 minutes and gave up, coming to the conclusion that herbicides from the nextdoor field must have killed them off. I started to cycle back up the track and happened to glance to my left and see 5 fly orchid spikes growing just under the trees. Brilliant news! Having set up my tripod and camera and taken a dozen photos or so I looked again to my left and there was another spike!.....and another....and another and another I did a rough count and got to 50 !!!!!!!!!!!

Here are a couple of the photos I took:





I went back today and re-counted properly and methodically, while measuring and mapping them all over the 18x5m area. I counted a total of 66 spikes with 6 of the unusual variation, Ophrys insectifera var ochroleuca which was brilliant. I have appointed myself the official 'warden' () and will map and keep an eye on these wonderful orchids over the years to come

[aeshna5]

Well done- great to find so many.

[Deer Stalker]

Good to hear your keeping an eye on them leifus.

[ceterach]

Pleased you found them Leifus. Well done.

[KeenTeen17]

Very well done Thats always the case - it takes ages to find one but when you get your eye in you see them everywhere and think how on earth did I walk past it? Love the colours of the second photo its a hard one to get a decent photo of because its so thin.

[treecreeper]

Excellent find. I've only ever found fly orchid once, back in 1990 on the Burren

[pammosley]

Well done Leifus Great to find so many.

[Jim Ford]

Well done 'leifus'!

They're probably my favourite orchid - they're so 'wacky'!

Jim

[Gill Catton]

wow I can imagine the thrill that must have dashed through your veins! Nothings beats that feeling does it?!! Good for you lovely pictures too!

[leifus]

Thanks guys it was really great

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

Very well done Thats always the case - it takes ages to find one but when you get your eye in you see them everywhere and think how on earth did I walk past it? Love the colours of the second photo its a hard one to get a decent photo of because its so thin.

and yeah - and because they grow in the shade of the woods where it's dark!