Wye Down & Park Gate Down - 9th June

Another trip to the Orchid heartland of Kent with the hope of finding the rare Late Spider Orchid. First up we explored Wye Down and found an area at the bottom of the hill that was contained a plethora of Man, Bee, Fragrant and Common Spotted Orchids all growing together. Here we met a couple who very kindly gave us detailed instructions as to where to find the Late Spider Orchids close by.

Man Orchid

Man Orchid

Man Orchid

Fragrant Orchid

Fragrant Orchid

Bee Orchid

Common Spotted Orchid

 So we drove a little way down the road and after a couple of false starts looked over a hedge to see the tell-tale cages that are used to protect the Late spider Orchids from damage by grazing animals. There were ca. 20 spikes and it is striking that almost every plant has some distinctive feature which differentiates it from its near neighbour. In amongst the Late spider Orchids were some gorgeous Fragrant Orchids and the occasional Adonis Blue flew by.

Late Spider Orchid

Late Spider Orchid

Late Spider Orchid

Late Spider Orchid

Late Spider Orchid

Fragrant Orchid

Fragrant Orchid

 To finish off the day we returned to Park Gate Down where the Greater Butterfly Orchids were looking really impressive. There were also Fly Orchids as well as some pure white Fragrant Orchids.

Greater Butterfly Orchid

Greater Butterfly Orchid

Fragrant Orchid

Fly Orchid

Fragrant Orchid