Final? Orchid Count

I had an 11% increase when I counted up the orchids as of the end of May. However the final tally has exceeded my expectations with 216 orchids - an increase of 57% on last year. As before the vast majority are Common Spotted Orchids but there has also been a stand out increase in Broad-leaved Helleborines. There was a total of 5 last year and there are now 11 with 5 in one group and the rest spread around the field edges. The photo is of one of these gorgeous orchids in the act of unfurling itself as they do. Of course should the Bee Orchid reappear the total will rise to 217 but no sign of it at the moment.