My brother has long been interested in botany and at the weekend he went to search the chalk downlands of western Dorset to see if there was any sign of the Musk Orchids that once grew in that region. Both Duncan and I saw Musks there over 30 years ago and although the habitat appears superficially unchanged there was still no sign of them, such a shame. It could be the sheep that regularly graze the site, the off-road motor bikes that churn up the slopes occasionally or maybe something effecting the micro habitat that we just can't see but it seems unlikely they will appear again any time soon. By way of consolation though he did see some other beautiful species including a few Bee Orchids - enough to brighten the dullest of days and my thanks to Duncan for sharing a few photos.
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Very washed out looking
Fly Orchid: D. Harris |
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| Bee Orchid: D. Harris |
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| Bee Orchid: D. Harris |
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| Bee Orchid: D. Harris |
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Greater Butterfly Orchids
Doing very well this year: D. Harris |
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| Greater Butterfly Orchid: D. Harris |
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