Yockletts Bank & Woodland Orchids !

My quest to see as many native Orchids in there natural habitat continued again today, found myself heading towards Yockletts Bank in east Kent, in search of a particular Orchid that frequents this area.
Another new site for me.

For those that have never visited Yockletts Bank, its looked after by the Kent Wildlife Trust, beautiful ancient Woodland which is said to be one of the best sites to see 'Lady Orchids' and well worth a visit especially at this time of year
The Entrance to the reserve is via a single track road with no viable parking, best to park at the bottom of the hill at the junction ( Duckpits Road / Gogway) where there's a grass verge which allows two or three cars to park safely, the walk uphill to the entrance is probably less than five minutes.

Entrance to Yockletts Bank

It wasn't long before the first Orchids came into view as I walked along the main path into the woodland. Lady Orchids in a beautiful woodland setting.

Lady Orchids

Another Orchid that seemed quite prolific here was the Early Purple Orchid, not a particularly scarce Orchid but a fine looking Orchid still in prime condition flowering among the fading Bluebells.

Early Purple Orchid

Early Purple Orchid.

A few examples of Common Twayblade were also seen, easily missed in the undergrowth under the trees.

Common Twayblade

And the Orchid I was hoping to see was in amongst some lady Orchids looking very inconspicuous the tiny dark purple flowers finally giving it away. Not so many of these, the specimens I saw were quite small and spindly with no more than three or  four flowers on them. The flowers obviously are said to resemble small flies which are attracted to the flowers and help pollinate the plant. they also attract  digger wasps which serves the same purpose.

Fly Orchid

Fly Orchid.

My Orchid list slowly increasing, with still many more Orchids to see,

 in a very short Orchid season.

Life List                                                    2019 List

 Common Spotted Orchid                          Green Winged Orchid

 Early Purple Orchid                                  Early Purple Orchid

 Common Twayblade.                                Lady Orchid

 Greater Butterfly Orchid                           Early Spider Orchid

 Lady Orchid                                              Fly Orchid

 Pyramidal Orchid                                     Common Twayblade

 Bee orchid

 Fragrant Orchid
White Helleborine

Southern Marsh Orchid

Green Winged Orchid
Early Spider Orchid
Fly Orchid