Another great day out in Kent looking for orchids. First stop was Park Gate Down where the main target was Musk Orchid which are always tricky to find in view of their diminutive size. After drawing a blank I was put out of my misery by one of the locals who pointed put a small area that I had walked past on several occasions! Chalk Fragrant Orchids were plentiful, including the odd pure white one, and some late Greater Butterfly Orchids. From here I decided to drive to Sandwich Bay, again with some expert directions, to look for Lizard Orchids which are the local speciality. Once on the Estate you really can find them growing on the lawns of private houses but there are also hundreds near the beach alongside the golf course (which by the way was preparing for this year's Open Championship). I also explored some of the area around the Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory and found some Southern Marsh Orchids (and hybrids with Common Spotted) together with Pyramidal Orchid.
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| Musk Orchid |
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| Musk Orchid |
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| Musk Orchid |
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| Musk Orchid |
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| Chalk Fragrant Orchid |
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| Chalk Fragrant Orchid |
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| Chalk Fragrant Orchid |
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| Chalk Fragrant Orchid |
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| Chalk Fragrant Orchid |
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| Greater Butterfly Orchid |
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| Lizard Orchid |
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| Lizard Orchid |
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| Lizard Orchid |
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| Lizard Orchid |
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| Pyramidal Orchid |
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| Southern Marsh Orchid |
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| Southern Marsh Orchid |
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| Southern Marsh x Common Spotted Orchid |