I have visited Kenfig Nature Reserve in the past and seen the amazing wildflowers there including some wonderful orchids.
Kerry told me about walks she went on looking for orchids and apparently, there is a long route around the reserve which would go through "meadows of orchids".
I will definitely try and make it down there to see that spectacular sight at some time as I am a bit of an orchid fan.
What is so lovely is that Kerry's bench is now in the spot which she loved, surrounded by all the beautiful
wild flowers that she so adored.
18 wild orchid species at Kenfig Nature Reserve
Apparently at Kenfig Nature Reserve, there are 18 different wild orchid species which is
incredible. To name a few there is Early Purple, Green Winged Orchid, Common Spotted, Early Marsh,
Southern Marsh, Fen, Pyramidal, Helleborine and Twayblade and the wonderful
Bee Orchid — I think may be Kerry's favourite. She told me that one of the trustees
"showed us the bee orchid" after she failed to find it. The one the Reserve is most proud of is
the elusive Fen Orchid. Apparently it is found at only one other site in Wales.
Wild orchids need very specific conditions in which to grow and at Kenfig Nature Reserve, the conditions
seem to be just right. There are many varied types of habitat at Kenfig — the damp areas, wooded area, dunes,
dry grassland — and obviously different habitats suit different types of orchid, but to have so many all in one
spot is absolutely fantastic. Certainly the Wildlife Trusts must have to work extremely hard to maintain the
habitats and keep the orchids happy.
The Orchids
Photos taken on orchid hunts in Kent — click any image to view full size.
Early Purple Orchid
Flowers May & June · Height 45 cm
Leaves marked with dark blotches. Colour ranges from pale pink to dark magenta.
Mainly woodland but also dunes and meadows.
Common Spotted Orchid
Flowers May, June & July
Usually woodland species but often found on roadside verges, cliff tops, quarries and dunes.
Lots of variation in colour from magenta to pale pink with long spotty leaves.
Green Winged Orchid
Flowers May & June · Height 25 cm
Most abundant on damp unimproved pastures and haymeadows. Huge range in colour from
magenta to white. More open flower.
White Helleborine
Flowers April, May & June · Height 35 cm
Woodland edges, roadside verges, grassland and beechwoods.
Beautiful simple creamy white flowers.
Bee Orchid
Flowers May & June · Height 30 cm
Roadside verges, dunes and parks. Narrow leaves.
Everyone's favourite
Pyramidal Orchid
Flowers May, June & July · Height 35 cm
Probably the most common orchid around. A pure white specimen exists — quite amazing.
Still to find in Kent: Marsh Orchid, Southern Marsh Orchid and Fen Orchid. The
Kenfig Nature Reserve website
has great identification photos of these elusive species.
Although there are 18 species of orchids at Kenfig Nature Reserve, I have spent hours searching for orchids
up here in Kent as they can be extremely "shy" but the reward when you spot what you're looking for
is certainly worth the hard work!! (plus you can always charm the local warden like Kerry and get them to show
you). The orchid I'm looking for is a Lizard Orchid. This can be 2 feet tall and is found in
Kent — but I haven't found it yet!
A little win: I found at least ten white helleborines on a grass verge at the top of London
Road, Dunton Green, just coming into flower — only to return a week later and find the Council had mown them
all down. I was so upset. Kerry would be proud of me as I've got in touch with the Council and asked them to
perhaps leave this as a "wild flower meadow", or at least not cut the grass in the orchid season.
I am awaiting a response. Fingers crossed.
Page written by Patricia Maddock