
The orchids are at their peak at the moment although this season has probably speeded them up with the very dry April. The "green wings" refer to the green veins on the pale petals on the sides of the "hooded" part of the flower.


This patch of orchids is the last remnant of green-winged orchids still flourishing in this area. Up until nearly twenty-five years ago a small quarter hectare size of grassy wasteland about 100 metres away, contained 15,000 orchids which tragically were cleared to make way for housing.
Having seen the orchids in the garden, we headed to Willoughby car park to look for orchids there as some have been seen in the past. After about ten minutes of pacing back and forwards, the distinctive leaves of the common spotted orchid were found (Green winged orchids leaves are plain and without spots). This one pictured above had really broad and big leaves, making it easier to spot amongst the long grass. Only the leaves were on show but the flowers should be out in about two or three weeks time.
Elsewhere on Willoughby, there was the eyecatching display on one side of these very agricultural weeds that look like oil-seed rape. In fact the white flowers belong to wild radish and the yellow flowers are black mustard.


The most interesting bird here was the smooth purring sound of the first turtle dove to have returned back from Africa. Unfortunately I shall have to wait another day to actually see one. Also some mistle thrushes sounded anxious s if they had young nearby they were feeding and a pair of goldfinches was a good record for a nearby garden.
Elsewhere in West Mersea, the screeching calls of five swifts wheeling high above the village may have been due to a sparrowhawk soaring beside them.
No comments:
Post a Comment