Himantoglossum hircinum

[Neil]

Went to Sandwich Bay, Kent today, 95 miles and 3.5 hours later we arrived a bit windy and quite overcast which made it a bit difficult  photographing them, but did in the end we succeeded.  Even managed to get Tracy to have a sniff at the delightful perfume! 

[Maren]

Well done Neil, were there many?

[Neil]

We saw 200 plus to many to keep a proper tab on, the majority were on the Royal Saint George Golf Course, of course we kept to the public right of way Could have done going a week or so earlier as the flowers are opening on the top of the spikes.  We did walk around the houses to see the ones in the lawns, and to look the cheap properties, but there was hardly any in flower.  Told by an owner it had been a poor year for them in the lawns but  there was a group of 15 or so in the verge, carefully mown around, a nice sight indeed.

[Tim Ingram]

Eric Philp, who records the Kent Flora, says that this is a particularly good year for the lizard orchid - some years only very few flower. We must follow your example and go see them!

[Maren]

Neil,
I am putting it in my calendar for next year. Do you have directions other than the golf course? where would you park?

[Neil]

The golf course is where the majority of them are in groups , but the are also outside the golf course along the road that runs between it and and the sea.  The whole area is on an estate and the road that leads into has a toll for vehicles, £7 and you can go on most of the roads in the estate and park anywhere, or tell them that you area visting the bird observatory and it costs £1.  Parking is available there and it is open 10am till 4pm daily.  http://www.sbbot.co.uk/contact/index.asp

[Maren]

Thanks, Neil, that's very helpful. I shall definitely visit next year.

[Tony Willis]

Neil

that sounds wonderful.It makes my one in a pot seem pretty insignificant.

[Alex]

Speaking of which - here's mine today. I love the idea that just a few hours drive away people have these growing in their gardens!!

Alex