For illustrated talks on natural history and history see www.peterlovetttalks.co.uk

For illustrated talks on natural history and history click here for www.peterlovetttalks.co.uk

Wednesday 28 April 2010

Early Purple Orchids

This was a linear walk from the Mid Sussex Ramblers' programme, lead yesterday by Mike and starting with a bus from Horstead Keynes to East Grinstead.
The medieval houses in East Grinstead High Street are believed to form the longest continuous row of such buildings in the country.
We followed Forest Way, a disused railway line, along the Sussex Border path....
...which heads off to Weir Wood reservoir.
Approaching Weir Wood reservoir, we entered a field after Horseshoe Farm where there were many orchids in the woodland edge.  Click on any picture to expand it.
David Lang states in "Wild Orchids of Sussex" that "Early-purple orchids can remain in a vegetative state for years, flowering when woodland is cleared and the light increases."  This would appear to be the case at this site.



































I tried to smell one through the fence but could not detect the various scents reported.
It was good to get a view of Highbrook church from a northerly direction, which was a new sight for me.
The border path crosses typical High Weald ghylls, meadows and woods that have remained unchanged for centuries.



Broadhurst Manor on the approach to Horstead Keynes.

Many thanks Mike for a great walk.

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