On 28th June 23 Devon Wildllife Trust and DPA volunteers worked together at Pudsham Meadows. We carried out the annual orchid count but got lower numbers than last year as some of the flowers were over but still found over 1200 flower spikes of four species: Greater Butterfly, Heath Spotted, Twayblade, and Southern Marsh.
One area before bracken pulling
Counting orchids
Bracken pulling
After the flower counting (and cake) came the bracken pulling. We are experimenting with different bracken management from our other sites as cutting or bashing in June can’t be carried out here as the flowers need to be allowed to set seed. With so many keen volunteers the pulled plot was done in no time!
Removing pulled bracken
The same area as Photo 1 AFTER bracken pulling
Our thanks to all the volunteers.