Wednesday 5th. June 2013

Carol really enjoyed her away day visiting a friend last week , and at the weekend , asked if there was a chance of a similar trip this week to Ashford , to visit another friend . Brownie Points are always good to have in the bank , so I willing agreed . I dropped Carol off at her friends house , and headed for Park Gate Down , near Elham , about 15 minutes away . When I got out of the car at the reserve , I had doubts over my decision , with grey skies and a cold blustery wind blowing over the site . But the weather didn't take anything away from the orchids that I started to find , Monkey Orchids , and

for once , the timing of my visit was perfect , with some still in flower bud , others were starting to

flower from the top down , giving a rather untidy impression of the plant , but when all the flowers

have opened , what a magnificent flower it is . It gets it's name from the shape of the individual

flowers , looking like a monkey , complete with , no Warren not that , a tail . A few Early Purple Orchids were still in flower , lots of Common Twayblades , no sign of any Lady Orchids or Musk

Orchids , but did find my first Common-spotted Orchid flower of the year . Just one Fly Orchid , just

coming into flower was found  Also on the site , real Colombine - Aquilegia vulgaris , difficult to photograph in the strong wind , not your garden escape that is seen so much these days . A bonus above the wind was a singing Garden Warbler and Yellowhammer . By the time I left , the sky was starting to break , which was what I needed for the afternoon visit , and as I drove to Bonsai Bank , Denge Wood , that clearance got better and better , but with no change to the wind . I parked up and full of anticipation , fast-walked the track to the site , made easier being mostly downhill . On the

way , I found a dead Common Shrew , with no apparent injuries seen . I also met a fellow enthusiast heading back to the road . Any sign of 'the Duke' , I asked . 'No , I've been there for two hours and only had a Grizzled Skipper , too windy for them' was his reply , not what I wanted to hear . I know they are getting to the end of their flight , but I was hoping to see one . Arriving at the gate into the

reserve , an amazing sight of 10s, 100s , even a thousand Lady Orchids , spread all over the site . A robust species that can grow to 100cms. but on site varied from 30-75cms. Like the monkey Orchid ,

the Lady Orchid gets it's name from the flower , in this case a Lady in a bonnet and crinoline dress .

Very variable in colour , especially in the design on the crinoline dress , and more normal , opening from the bottom up . Also found were good numbers of Butterfly Orchids , not a single open flower

amongst them , but probably all of the Greater species . By the time I got to the far end of the reserve , the area where 'the Duke' was found on my last visit , I realised that I was the only person there . Out in the open areas , the wind was blowing strongly still , so I searched the more sheltered areas , not knowing if any of the species were still flying . After about half an hour , a brief sighting ,

and I managed just two shots before the smallest of Fritillaries , the Duke of Burgundy , about the size of a Dingy Skipper , before it was blown away . I spent another two and a half hours searching , and during that time I reckon I saw three different specimens , but that wind was a real pain .

I had to leave to pick Carol up , and on my way back along the paths found a really beautifully

coloured Early Purple Orchid , and as I photographed it , a fourth Duke got blown past , in almost the same place where I saw the species many years ago . The walk back to the car , uphill , and now in full sun was much harder than getting to the reserve , but it was well worth it . Topped off the day with a fish and chip supper , perfect .