It has been a long, long time since I have seen Early Purple Orchid in my home county of Derbyshire. The Flora of Derbyshire states that it can be very common in the grassland areas of the White Peak, sometimes turning the dalesides purple in spring. The book also indicates that one of the best places to find it is in Cressbrook Dale, so we set off on our Orchid adventure, heading to Cressbrook, an area of Derbyshire that I have never been to before. We had a thoroughly enjoyable day , with the woodlands covered in Wood Anemone and Bluebells and with Redstart, Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff, all in song, spring was really upon us.
Early Purple Orchid – Derbyshire – April 2017 – Tony Davison© – above 5 images
Wood Anemone – Derbyshire – April 2017 – Tony Davison©
Bluebell – Derbyshire – April 2017 – Tony Davison©
