Page 7 - Wildlife News April 2017

dHTaeuyar.dSnedeoowirfcnyhotuoidcHahonmuspenfotietelodrnWe ooof dthferosemomthiedr-MbeaayuttoieJsu. ne and become an orchid hunter for the

O rchids are the wild flower (PETER CREED)
treasures of our nature (PETER CREED)
reserves. Always beautiful (CLIVE ORMONDE)
and often rare, they hold a

special place in every nature

lover’s heart. At Homefield

Wood, near Marlow, there’s

one species in particular that

commands attention: the military

orchid. Standing tall and proud

like soldiers in a line-up, it’s

in fact the individual blooms LnttFheholeetyahmporinhnragelcermbhosumitodtood:rmntiesheaaestapeofbp,lfooyodweiniutgetlgrmte’esatersvhnwcitneeanagssntptemdhs,epoilmmourlriclwcienshnigti.hds aadbBlonrlioeridtwsdsnnno’’stuo-tptnrhrhciehoeesitnrdtotsowsoyffrnrisoctlhhdmhaeidsdfdyiles:obeatew.hdIeionscershcgtruweasranoioadiocutdimtssbdparabtaelweor-isawl. t.stooGcorerrcanhgettaitd.ritusaoesckfrttcrm/bohwnauoglttkiheltssrdeo,ariiltltifssnflwmieyga-/ahofsittnr.pscpaehovlicaldiinn:eiatlslhtaoi-srsa.ctTea-hznllet
that give the orchid its name.
Observe carefully and you’ll
see they resemble soldiers in
miniature, complete with helmet,
outstretched ‘arms’ and ‘legs’

and spots for jacket buttons.

The story behind the military orchid is as intriguing as its Today, military orchids are found at just two other sites in the

appearance. Until the end of the 19th century it thrived across the country. The recovery of this remarkable orchid at Homefield is

Chilterns, but then ploughing, grazing and theft took its toll and one of many examples of why members should be proud to be

in 1929 it was declared nationally extinct. Then in 1947 a solitary part of your local Trust – results like this make a big difference to

plant was rediscovered here at Homefield Wood where its threatened species.

presence was kept hush – a Nature’s balance
military secret! – until 1975.

Under the care of the Trust, The orchids of Homefield Wood are joined by a sweep of other

numbers began to climb, wild flowers, including wild marjoram and, later in summer,

creeping up from just six Results like this Chiltern gentians, which bask on the warm slopes. This in turn
flowering plants in 1977 to make a big attracts a plethora of butterflies, from silver-washed fritillaries to
plateau at around 150 by difference to dingy skippers, and more than 400 types of moth.
2010. And then something threatened species
remarkable happened: Grazing joins scrub removal as another way to maintain the
numbers soared, reaching rich painter’s palette of flowers, butterflies and moths. Sheep
arrive on site at the end of summer, once the wild flowers have

722 flowering plants by last dropped their seeds and there’s no danger of damaging the

summer. orchids. The action of many chewing jaws is every bit as effective

Volunteer effort as the pulling and chopping power of the dedicated volunteers!
A visit to Homefield Wood has to be experienced to fully

“The sudden spike is in no small part thanks to the work of our appreciate the magnificence of its woodland-fringed glades and

volunteer warden Phillip Pratt and his team,” explains Reserves meadow. The orchids come into their own from mid-May to July,

Manager Mark Vallance. “This included removing encroaching with the military orchids peaking in early June. Look sharp and

scrub, especially dogwood and wild clematis which can crowd put a date in your diary to come and inspect the military!

out orchids with its dense growth. Cages were put around

individual plants to stop deer from browsing on them and the Discover more… or get involved!
orchids were even hand-pollinated to help them to set seed and n Plan your day out at Homefield Wood. Visit bbowt.org.uk/
spread.” reserves/Homefield-Wood for more details on what to see
when and to enjoy photos from the BBOWT Flickr group.
Military orchids prefer open grassland with scattered scrub, n We are looking for volunteer stock watchers at various
which means a balance needs to be met between scrub removal sites in the Chilterns, including Homefield Wood.
and retaining some stands for dappled shade. Homefield’s mix Learn more about this and other
of woodland, glades and a larger area of open grassland creates volunteering opportunities at Mark Vallance. (bbowt)
a variety of habitats suitable for a wide range of other orchids, bbowt.org.uk/volunteer
including the greater butterfly-orchid, fly orchid, twayblade, and n Read the full interview with Mark
bird’s-nest orchid, which can be found in the shade of the beech Vallance and watch him explain
woods. some of the conservation methods
used at Homefield Wood:
Perhaps one mark of the incredible turnaround is that it’s no bbowt.org.uk/military-orchids
longer possible to cage every individual orchid. Only a third of n Join a guided orchid walk. Walks
the plants are now protected in this way, with the surrounding start from late May and are run
deer fence serving as first line of defence against hungry muntjac across a number of nature reserves.
and roe deer. “Some of the larger deer can jump the fence but it’s More at bbowt.org.uk/whats-on
certainly limited the level of browsing seen in the past.”

Wildlife news / April 2017 7