The Quest (part 3)

I did a huge amount of Kent orchids on the 5th June 2013, when I joined others on what was described as an orchid safari. The season was late, and I think we saw 18 species that day!

Wednesday.

And so a day off! A day off, I hear you exclaim. Well, it is high orchid season here in Kent and i booked to go on a tour of the prime sites with a guy from the Sandwich Bay bird place, and as it turned out, we had wonderful weather forecast. So, why not?

Why not indeed?

So, I drop Jools off at work as normal, but then head home for breakfast, so I can be on the road before eight and so miss the worse of the school traffic. I head to Deal, then through the gold course to the Bay, and find the centre open so I can look round and see about joining, as it can cost £7 to get into the Bay. You see the estate, Sandwich Bay is owned by a minor royal or something and non-residents have to pay to enter the Bay. Members of the Bird Observatory get a pass. So, it might pay to join......

At just gone nine we set off on our orchid safari, with the first stop being Kingsdown to see the small collection of Early Spider Orchids they have. I already have snapped them so did not take a shot, except of a lone blue butterfly, clinging to a blade of grass in the breeze.

Next was to the downs above Dover to see the Man Orchids. They are growing about 2m from a main road, which is about right for orchids. But there is a rich collection there and we all snap away merrily. I am sure passing motorists must wonder what we were doing on our hands and knees.....

A quick blast along to a small wood just off the A2 to see the Birds Nest Orchids: not the prettiest orchid in the word, and as they grown in the heart of the wood, tricky to snap, but I use fill in flash and get some shots. And it is off again, this time to see the Monkeys.

Monkey Orchids of course.

I know the site well of course, so it was the chance to snap them ore open than on Sunday, and indeed they were and many more about to open. I also sap a Green Hairstreak which I chase whilst the others head to the cars for lunch. Oh yes, the others. I was the youngest there, as the trio I was travelling with were all over 80, our guide and his friend over 60. And they all lasted the pace, and I could not be the only one to complain about all the walking!

We eat in a lay by in the shelter of a wood, whilst Orange tips tease me by fluttering by and not settling, letting the sunlight catch their bright wingtips. Next year, perhaps.....

We set off for the bank to see the Fly Orchids, but we had seen a single along with the Monkeys at the last place. I take a few of the one beside the bench and snap a Brown Argus in the meadow too, trying not to step on the Comon spotted Orchid spears which are beginning to show. It is fine to walk in the woods, and the two white orchids I had spotted on previous vsits turned out to be Greater Butterfly orchids, both almost out, but not quite.

Our last stop was at the big wood, where the Duke of Burgundys are. I am coy about locations because many orchids have been dug up by idiots who think they will grown in their garden. Well, they won't but i don't suppose something like science and/or nature will deter them.

The display of Lady Orchids is huge, and the orchids themselves are impressively big too. And they are everywhere. I snap many as their colour variation is huge too, going from purple to white. We see another fly and a White Helleborine which was a treat

As the buzzards circled overhead, the afternoon grew hot, and so we made our way back to the cars and then to Sandwich for one final visit to the beach and a look at the Green Winged Orchids and to see where the huge Lizard Orchids will be in a month's time. Wow.

What a day, I have not counted the species, along with the ones mentioned about we also saw Common Spotted Orchids and Common Twayblades which either were not out yet or I have already snapped them. So, a great day, and time then to head for home and a pint and cook dinner.