10th June 2023 – The weather forecast predicted temperatures would reach 30 degrees in the local area, so an early start to look for a few orchids. I soon discovered Common Spotted and Southern Marsh at my local patch. A visit to a nearby Derbyshire Wildlife Trust reserve produced Common Twayblade and Common Spotted, with several superb Four-spotted Chaser dragonflies. Finally, along a roadside in nearby NE Leicestershire, Lizard Orchid and Bee Orchid were doing well. With a little more effort I could have seen Greater Butterfly and Broad-leaved Helleborine rosettes. Not a bad collection within a 10-15 minute drive from home.
