Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Specific Families and Genera => Pleione and Orchidaceae => Topic started by: fredg on July 05, 2012, 06:20:53 PM

Title: 2012 Site 3
Post by: fredg on July 05, 2012, 06:20:53 PM
Site 3 is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and contains Dactylorhiza, Neottia ovata, Ophrys apifera and Gymnodenia conopsis.
Many will have walked through these meadows and never noticed the Twayblades, they're not the most noticable of the native orchids, of which there must be many hundreds.
Ophrys apifera numbers are up here in 2012 compared to the other years I have visited.
The Fragrant Orchids are just beginning to flower, it's very hard to spot the ones still in bud and we only found the two with flowers open. Another visit in a week or so iwill be required  ;D

g, h and i Twayblades - Neottia ovata
Title: Re: 2012 Site 3
Post by: fredg on July 05, 2012, 06:21:07 PM
m and n A beetle for ID please.
o and p Clover
q           Fragrant orchid - Gymnadenia conopsis
s and t  Bee Orchids - Ophrys apifera
Title: Re: 2012 Site 3
Post by: fredg on July 05, 2012, 06:21:17 PM
u and w    Bee orchid - Ophrys apifera
x, y and z  Fragrant orchid - Gymnodenia conopsis[/b]
Title: Re: 2012 Site 3
Post by: Peter Maguire on July 05, 2012, 10:16:59 PM
Quote
m and n A beetle for ID please.

Looks very like a lily beetle to me Fred - Lilioceris lilii if you're feeling posh.
Great pictures you're getting this season. It must be getting boring with all those bee orchids around.  ;D
Title: Re: 2012 Site 3
Post by: Ulla Hansson on July 05, 2012, 10:28:58 PM
I think that the beautiful red beetle is a Pyrochroa coccinia.
Ulla
Title: Re: 2012 Site 3
Post by: Peter Maguire on July 05, 2012, 10:39:00 PM
Quite right Ulla, I was too hasty!
It's fortunate that I wasn't there - I might have squashed it out of habit. ::)
Title: Re: 2012 Site 3
Post by: fredg on July 05, 2012, 10:50:53 PM
I checked on that Ulla and it has a black head.
More likely therefore to be Pyrochroa serraticornis?
Title: Re: 2012 Site 3
Post by: Maggi Young on July 05, 2012, 11:08:55 PM
The Lily Beetle  has more shiny and "pitted" wing cases, I think.  ???

 The shots of the Clover heads are just super. 8)
Title: Re: 2012 Site 3
Post by: fredg on July 06, 2012, 11:13:45 AM
These are lily beetles, I know them well enough, or should I say too well. I'm afraid they're nothing like the one for ID.
Title: Re: 2012 Site 3
Post by: ronm on July 06, 2012, 11:25:46 AM
You've already nailed it Fred with Pyrochroa serraticornis. Although you forgot to mention it is a female, ;D
Title: Re: 2012 Site 3
Post by: fredg on August 09, 2012, 04:45:43 PM
A return visit to check out the site :D.

The Gymnadenia conopsis were a bit more obvious.
Many have conpleted flowering and some in full bloom with every stage inbetween represented.
Photo 3 shows the two extremes next to each other.

I did spot some interesting wildlife and tried for a photo.
The result I'll post in the wildlife thread  :o :o :o
Title: Re: 2012 Site 3
Post by: ronm on August 09, 2012, 06:03:59 PM
Great pictures Fred.  8) 8)
I've never seen these 'in the flesh', are they very fragrant?
Title: Re: 2012 Site 3
Post by: Tony Willis on August 09, 2012, 06:04:15 PM
Fred

are these various sites reclaimed mining areas? They certainly look good and seem ideal for orchids.
Title: Re: 2012 Site 3
Post by: Neil on August 09, 2012, 06:50:06 PM
Great pictures Fred.  8) 8)
I've never seen these 'in the flesh', are they very fragrant?

Ron yes they are very fragrant, best on a warm evening to get the best smell.
Title: Re: 2012 Site 3
Post by: ronm on August 09, 2012, 06:56:57 PM
Thanks Neil. Seems this species has a lot going for it. Wonderful plants 8) 8)
Have the pollinating species been established? Or is it pollinated in another way? ???
Title: Re: 2012 Site 3
Post by: Neil on August 09, 2012, 08:26:33 PM
A range of insects pollinate it and those that have a long probosces are able to access the nectar, in the long narrow spur.
Title: Re: 2012 Site 3
Post by: ronm on August 09, 2012, 08:39:25 PM
Thank you Neil ( again,  :) ). "Know the pollinator, know the flower". ;D ;D  These orchids provide great clues 8) 8)
Title: Re: 2012 Site 3
Post by: daveyp1970 on August 09, 2012, 09:13:03 PM
Fred

are these various sites reclaimed mining areas? They certainly look good and seem ideal for orchids.
Tony i will answer this because i am not sure i have told Fred the story behind this site,it was never a mining site these fields was owned by a farmer i used to know,he donated the land to the wildlife trust,he never used chemicals on them and they were always used for hay for his cattle,the farmer is no longer a farmer he sold a massive chunk of land to a building developer and made a fortune.
Title: Re: 2012 Site 3
Post by: Tony Willis on August 10, 2012, 10:52:04 AM
David we lived in Nottingham during the period when many of the mines were closing and now when we visit so many of the sites have been reclaimed and seem ideal for orchids which is why I asked.

Yours is a good story and very welcome.
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