Fridaythorpe Orchids

30 Days Wild, day 21: About 20 years ago, a short section of the York to Driffield road was straightened, leaving a wide verge which was initially just bare chalk. Over the years the vegetation has grown back and at this time of year it is carpeted with orchids. These are northern marsh orchids, common spotted orchids and confusingly, some hybrids of the two. There are also a few pyramidal orchids.

Orchids amongst bird's-foot trefoil

Northern marsh orchid

Common spotted orchid

Caterpillar of the six-spot burnet moth

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