Orchid update

The Orchid numbers are looking up in recent days although we are still not going to achieve last years huge numbers. As of yesterday we were at 519 Common Spotted Orchids plus 23 of other species (Mostly Broad-leaved Helleborine) giving a total of 542 Orchids so far. This is still 30% below last year's total of 773 but I am now expecting that we will end up over 600. However even at 542 that represents a 74% increase over two years ago so the annual increase from there is looking very positive. Although this may well be the first year that numbers have decreased the addition of the Greater Butterfly Orchid to the species list makes this good year.