"Orchids... blooming in records numbers at Whisby Nature Park, near Lincoln.
There are 10,000 Southern Marsh orchids in bloom and it is thought they have benefited from the effects of global warming. The mild winter and wet spring have caused perfect conditions for the plants to flourish. Park warden Phil Porter said: "The orchids have steadily been increasing in number each year since the reserve was set up."When the reserve was originally being surveyed in the 1980s, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust discovered only a couple of dozen but since the habitat has been improved more and more have grown." Although the Marsh orchid is not rare in itself, its already restricted habitat is becoming increasingly scarce. So rangers and volunteers at the reserve have created ideal conditions for the plant to thrive, using old-fashioned techniques and careful management. This year's numbers are up from 8,300 last year and a similar increase is expected next year. The reserve's record number was established after a team of dedicated volunteers laboriously counted every individual orchid. Several other species of orchid can also be seen on the site, including the Common Spotted and various Helleborine varieties." URL : http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=156130&command=displayContent&sourceNode=242285&home=yes&more_nodeId1=156139&contentPK=20811175 photo : [caption : Phil Porter with some of the orchids] http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/shared/contentbinaries/publish/2597921.JPG ************ Regards, VB _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [email protected] http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
