#orchidchallenge
A revisit to the Suffolk Military Orchid location.. now in peak flower #orchidchallenge #wildflowerhour
June 8, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Again a week late for #OrchidChallenge but couldn't resist posting the results of this year's #Orchid count in my wildflower meadow.
The highest ever count today with 316 Northern Marsh and one presumed Common Spotted Orchid
#Wildflowerhour
June 8, 2025 at 7:03 PM
It's a shame it's not #orchidchallenge this week.
Very excited to see my first ever Fly Orchid at Cors Bodeilio #Anglesey
Here it is with a collection of other Orchids in the fens plus a gorgeous Marsh Helleborine
#Wildflowerhour
June 8, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Ok, I know it’s not Sunday now but here is my new entry for the #wildflowerhour #orchidchallenge (sorry they are my addiction). Greater butterfly orchid looking perfect - one amongst quite a good number at Cobbett’s View in the Ashdown Hanger Nature Reserve, Hants. Lots of common spotted too. #bsbi
June 4, 2025 at 6:38 PM
June 4, 2025 at 12:31 PM
1 ventured into Gloucestershire today. Most of the Bird’s-nest Orchids were already starting to go over, probably due to dry conditions. Nice to see over a hundred plants, though. @bsbibotany.bsky.social @ukorchids.bsky.social @naturalengland.bsky.social @floraconuk.bsky.social #orchidchallenge
June 4, 2025 at 12:08 PM
On my way back from Kent, I decided to chance it and see if the Military Orchids were still in flower. Whilst some had gone over, a few were in good condition 😍 @bsbibotany.bsky.social @floraconuk.bsky.social @bbowt.bsky.social #orchidchallenge
June 3, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Very grateful to see Man Orchids & Late Spider Orchids finally! Kent in sunny weather yesterday. Thanks to those who helped 🙏👍🏼
@bsbibotany.bsky.social @floraconuk.bsky.social @ukorchids.bsky.social #orchidchallenge @kentwildlife.bsky.social
June 3, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Great day out with the Flora of Cumbria Recording Group at North Walney NNR yesterday. My group of 3 finished on 161 species from our monad, consisting of saltmarsh, dune, coastal heath & meadow habitats. Just a day too late for the #WildflowerHour #OrchidChallenge with this stunning Bee Orchid.
June 3, 2025 at 7:57 AM
A little late for yesterday’s #WildflowerHour #OrchidChallenge but the common spotted orchids are out in force @york.ac.uk campus west, and the bee orchids are just beginning to show their faces - full glory next week, I reckon.
June 2, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Amongst all the wonderful wildlife recorded during our bioblitz at Kilnsey Park Estate over the weekend, we were lucky enough to see the stunning Lady's Slipper Orchid in flower on Kilnsey Flushes. What a beauty! #wildflowerhour #OrchidChallenge
June 2, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Just discovered #OrchidChallenge so thought I’d share again the welcome intryders that have self-seeded amongst other plants in a tub in my Devon garden. (The spotted leaves are Zantedeschia.)

#wildflowerhour #orchids
June 2, 2025 at 7:26 AM
#wildflowerhour Hadn't realised it was #OrchidChallenge this week, but wildly excited to have seen Northern Marsh Orchid, growing in a front lawn in Newcastle. Only survived because the people were on holiday, or they'd have been mowed. Photo shows one, but colour came out pink not purple, sadly.
June 2, 2025 at 12:23 AM
The #BeeOrchids in my lawn emerged late this year and not as robust as previous years, maybe due to lack of rain. First leaves to emerge were blackened and I feared the plants had died. But now fresh leaves and stems - 6 spotted so far.

#OrchidChallenge
June 2, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Reposted to tag…
#WildflowerHour
#OrchidChallenge

Not sure that walking out of my front door to photograph the #BeeOrchids in my front lawn constitutes a ‘challenge’, but these plants are the reason I do #NoMowMay every year

#Biodiversity on my doorstep
Finally, #BeeOrchids in my #NoMowMay lawn have emerged. Only 6 plants spotted so far. Quite late in the month; not as robust as usual, maybe due to lack of rain. First leaves to emerge were blackened and I feared the plants had died. But now fresh leaves and stems ☺️

#BeautyInSmallThings
#PlantSky
June 1, 2025 at 11:46 PM
A bit late to the #Wildflowerhour #OrchidChallenge party, but here are some photos of what I think is Dactylorhiza purpurella popping up in East Kilbride this week
June 1, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Bum! I didn't realise it was #OrchidChallenge for tonight's #WildflowerHour 🤦‍♂️

I'd have stopped for that Common Spotted just emerging if I had.

You'll have to make do with Northern Marsh and Lizard instead
June 1, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Orchids on the farm. #wildflowerhour #orchidchallenge
June 1, 2025 at 9:55 PM
June 1, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Oops, I completely forgot the time but still wanted to post these beautiful common spotted orchids (and ragged robin) for #orchidchallenge. Two of many, many orchids emerging @wildlifebcn.org Brampton Wood this week. @wildflowerhour.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social
June 1, 2025 at 9:33 PM
My final offering today is of some Southern Marsh Orchids. I stopped counting at 50 spikes by the A39 at Devoran Cornwall, today.

#wildflowerhour #OrchidChallenge

Dactylorhiza praetermissa
June 1, 2025 at 9:29 PM
I probably saw several hundred Heath Spotted Orchids today dotted all over the Lizard heathlands, a lovely sight, the 1st photo has a bonus Flea Sedge (Carex pulicaris).
#wildflowerhour #OrchidChallenge

Dactylorhiza maculata subsp ericetorum
June 1, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Early Marsh Orchids on The Lizard heathlands today looking splendid.
#wildflowerhour #OrchidChallenge

Dactylorhiza incarnata subsp pulchella
June 1, 2025 at 9:22 PM
The spring drought of 2025 has affected Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera) very badly in Central Southern England. However, you can still find this iconic orchid in flower in all its glory right now @wildflowerhour.bsky.social #orchidchallenge @bsbibotany.bsky.social
June 1, 2025 at 9:21 PM
The hybrid between Heath Spotted and Southern Marsh orchids by a roundabout on the A39 today near Devoran today. Around 5 times taller than nearby Southern Marsh.

#wildflowerhour #OrchidChallenge

D. x hallii
June 1, 2025 at 9:20 PM