Bingo!

After five years of searching I finally found the endangered and rare Burnt-tip orchid (Neotinea ustulata var. ustulata). In previous years I've either been too early, too late or in the wrong place and last year, of course, I couldn't get there at all. This is believed to be one of, if not the, largest flowering population in Britain but even here its very difficult to find as the flowering spike is, at best, only 6cm high and surrounded by much taller vegetation. A couple of other orchid hunters were there, one had travelled from eastern Kent and the other from London. Three strangers (plus a spaniel) all intent on the same quest and sharing the quarry when it was found. A great start to the week, even if I did get absolutely soaked again.