Monkey Orchid

After staying with friends in Hythe and enjoying their superb hospitality we made a leisurely journey back to Buckinghamshire today, calling in at Park Gate Down, a gem of a nature reserve managed by the Kent Wildlife Trust. I hoped that the Monkey Orchids might just be out despite the chilly and overcast conditions over the last few days. We found lots of plants and just one was starting to open its flowers, revealing the amazing monkey-like figures in the deeply cut lip. This is an unusual orchid that opens its flowers at the top of the spike first. Also seen were Early Purple, Twayblade, Greater Butterfly, Lady and Fly orchids, with at least a further three species lining up behind them to flower in June/July. A fine ending to our little tour of Kent.