Green-winged Orchid

The once widespread Green-winged Orchid (Anacamptis morio) is now a rare plant. A drastic decline in the number of natural wild flower meadows in southern England during the last century has rather marginalised this species and it often only occurs in any numbers in places like private gardens, churchyards and roadside verges where sympathetic mowing regimes suit this orchid.

 

Bob told me of a well established colony in a Sussex churchyard.

 

 

Green-winged Orchid (Anacamptis morio) (normal form)

 

 

Green-winged Orchid (A.morio) (pink form)

 

 

Later the same day, Carol and I visited Scotney Castle in Kent. This is a National Trust property and a colony of morio can be found growing on the lawns which are managed for wildflowers.

 

 

Green-winged Orchid (A.morio) (mauve & white form) 

 

 

A view of Scotney Castle

 

 

 

On a dull and cool day earlier this week, whilst walking along the clifftops of the South Downs, I came across this beautiful female Adder (Vipera berus) curled up in a warm spot out of the wind. Luckily for me she was in no rush to slip away into the undergrowth and she allowed me to lie down beside her with the camera.

 

 

Adder (Vipera berus) (female)

 

 

 

This week has also seen the emergence of the Wall (Lasiommata megera) on Pevensey Levels. They generally emerge here about a week or ten days later than nearby downland colonies.

 

 

Wall (Lasiommata megera) (male)