On Wednesday 12th June we had the annual orchid count at Pudsham Meadows.

 

 

Twenty-two DPA and Devon Wildlife Trust Volunteers set off in pairs or small groups, each surveying one species in one of the four meadows. A total of 4184 flowers were found.

DPA and Devon Wildlife Trust Volunteers set off in pairs or small groups to count. Photo: Hilary Marshall

 

Twenty-two DPA and Devon Wildlife Trust Volunteers set off in pairs or small groups, each surveying one species in one of the four meadows. A total of 4184 flowers were found.

 

With some species, finding them can be a challenge.......in Pudsham Meadow

With some species, finding them can be a challenge…….in Pudsham Meadow. Photo: Hilary Marshall

 

In some areas, the orchids are no so easy to find – the photograph above is from Pudsham Meadow …..

 

..... and similarly in Small Field

….. and similarly in Small Field. Photo: Hilary Marshall

 

The situation was similar in the meadow known as Small Field.

 

Whereas other species (here Heath Spotted-orchids in Pudsham Meadow) present a different challenge - easy to find but not so straightforward to count!

Other species are easy to find but present a different problem. Photo: Hilary Marshall

 

Whereas other species (here Heath Spotted-orchids in Pudsham Meadow) present a different challenge – they are easy to find but not so straightforward to count!

 

Two teams in the lower part of Ralph's Meadow.

The scene in Ralph’s Meadow. Photo: Hilary Marshall

 

The photograph above shows two teams in the lower part of Ralph’s Meadow.

 

Coffee break and lunch were enjoyed with (a record-breaking?) 5 sorts of cake.

Coffee break. Photo: Hilary Marshall

 

Coffee break and lunch were enjoyed with – perhaps a record-breaking? – five varieties of cake!

 

After lunch we pulled bracken in Goat and Small Fields. This picture shows a patch in Goat Field which has previously been pulled in 2017 and 2018. Note the small size of the bracken.

After lunch we pulled bracken in Goat and Small Fields. Photo: Hilary Marshall

 

After lunch we pulled bracken in Goat and Small Fields. This picture shows a patch in Goat Field which has previously been pulled in 2017 and 2018. Note the small size of the bracken.

 

Another part of the Goat Field pulled patch

Another part of the Goat Field pulled patch. Photo: Hilary Marshall

 

The previous bracken pulling has had a marked effect in reducing growth this year ….. compare with the photograph from two years ago, below …..

 

Contrast this photo of the same area taken in 2017 - both the height of the bracken and the number of flowers in the grassland

Photo of the same area taken in 2017. Photo: Hilary Marshall

 

Contrast this photo of the same area taken in 2017 – both the height of the bracken and the number of flowers in the grassland

 

 

Heath Spotted Orchid. Photo: Kevin McDonagh

 

 

Twayblade Orchid. Photo: Kevin McDonagh

 

 

Greater Butterfly-orchid

Greater Butterfly-orchid. Photo: Hilary Marshall

 

 

Hybrid between Southern Marsh and Heath Spotted-orchid

Hybrid between Southern Marsh and Heath Spotted-orchid. Photo: Hilary Marshall

 

 

Southern Marsh orchid

Southern Marsh orchid. Photo: Hilary Marshall