The Ardennes; Rechterbach and Brackvenn in search for Dactylorhiza sphagnicola

Introduction
In the beginning of June the plan had risen to search for the illustre Dactylorhiza sphagnicola (for which is no English name). In Dutch it is referred to as: "Veenorchis", in German: "Torfmoos-Knabenkraut", and in French: "Orchis des sphaignes". As it's name would suggest it grows preferably on Sphagnum moss carpets.

Start of the day
We started in Limburg with a very peculiar hybrid that was recently discovered in the Netherlands. In a calcareous grassland a hybrid between the Fragrant Orchid - Gymnadenia conopsea s.l. and the Common Spotted Orchid - Dactylorhiza fuchsii. It's hybrid name is x Dactylodenia st-quintinii
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Rechterbach
The Rechterbach is one of the many small stream vallies in the Ardennes. As a result of constant wet conditions along the river banks peat has formed in depressions. It is in these meadows with Sedges, Common Cottongrass, Marsh Violet and Bog Asphodel can be found with Dactylorhiza sphagnicola. At least that was what we expected! After getting wet feet and a few hours later we must conclude that there were no pure Dactylorhiza sphagnicola to be found at this station. Only plants who looked like Dactylorhiza maculata var. elodes whom can be referred to as an eco-variant of the Heath Spotted Orchid - Dactylorhiza maculata.

The Rechterbach

Brackvenn
After a longer drive then we expected (road diversions) we reached the Brackvenn in the afternoon. The wetter conditions were extremely bad for visiting a bog. There was not only a sigh of wind with a temperature of over 25 degrees. Combine this with the date: first week of June and most people will think "Horseflies". Luckily those buggers weren't present. Walking in the Brackvenn is confined to a wooden and raised pathway. because of the wetter conditions I wasn't able to confirm the find of the Cranberry Fritillary - Boloria auilonaris. In the distance we spotted several "unidentified orange flying objects", but when we came (to) close they all took off. At the end of the day we spotted between 40 - 100 individuals of Dactylorhiza sphagnicola who grew in the so called "Palsen".

One of the few remaining Palsen in the Brackvenn.

Dactylorhiza sphagnicola a.k.a. Veenorchis, Torfmoos-Knabenkraut and Orchis des Sphaignes

Evaluating last season
Lookin' back at last season I must conclude it was a good year. A lot of time was spend on visiting new area's in the Netherlands (my home country) and abroad. I also have to apologize for not posting any messages. But don't be afraid I've got loads of photo's still to be sorted out. To give an example I've listed some of the area's I've visited.

The Netherland

• Terschelling; Boschplaat, Groene strand, Volkstuintjes, Kroon's Polders
  
• Schiermonnikoog; Vuurtoren Vallei
• Hoge Veluwe
  
• Lauwersmeer
• Veenendaal; Allemanskamp, Meeuwenkamp, Binnenveld
• Zuid-Limburg; Kunderberg, Eysserbossen, Roodborn, Berghofweide, Vrakelberg, Wijlre akkers, Gronseledel, Keutenberg, Gerendalsbosschen, Orchideeëntuin, Sint-Pietersberg etc.

Belgium

• Albertkanaal
• Sint-Pietersberg
• Rechterbach
• Brackvenn

Eifel

• Ahlendorf
• Blankenheim; Seidenbachtal
• Mirbach
• Wiesbaum
• Ripsdorf
• Dahlem

The upcoming period I'll post new messages about the places I've visited and keep you informed.

The Joy of Spring

I realise that at first sight it might seem strange a message about bees and butterflies. Because the effective period in which plant can be studied is limited to about two months I've started to study Bees and Wasps. And insects as you all might know are very related to plants (pollination). So in early spring I'm always on the hunt for Hoverlies that have hibernated, Andrena Bees and Bumblebees. Yesterday I finally had succes!

Last few days I already visited the botanical garden next to my school. Due to the presence of clouds and a low air temperature I wasn't able to spot any Bees or Hoverflies. Last saturday I saw my first Bumblebee of this year. It was a Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestis).

Yesterday I had better luck as I already mentioned. I've started a bit uneasy with my insectnet. Most of the times I tell people to stay an arm and net length away from me. This because I might swing my net round. So fast as I was last year so slowly I started yesterday.

Below you'll find a list of the species I've spotted yesterday. Also I've included photo's of some.

• Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestis)
• Red-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius)
• Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum)
• Early Bumblebee (Bombus pratorum)
• Hairy Footed Flower Bee (Anthophora plumipes)
• Unkown male Miningbee (Andrena spec.)
• Unkown dwarf male Miningbee (Andrena spec.)
• Waspbee species (Nomada spec.)
• Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus)
• Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax)
• Comma (Polygonia c-album)

The search for rosettes continues in Belgium

Last wednesday the search continues. This time I started my walk at the trainstation in Maastricht. From there the trip took my over the Sint Pieterbergs to Thier de Castert and through the locks of Lanaye to a small grassland. I've posted some scenic pictures of the trip below.

Old farmhouse at Thier de Castert

In the past Monkeys Orchis (Orchis simia), Man's Orchis (Orchis anthropophorum) and Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera) were reported here. I had good hope that I would find rosettes of the afore mentioned species. After I've entered the small grasslands I soon found the first rosettes. It appeared that they belong to the Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera). In total I've located between forty and fifty rosette of this species. Later on I've spotted some rosettes that belong to the Lady Orchid (Orchis purpurea), at least that's what make of it. Unfortunatly I wasn't able to locate any rosette that belonged to the Monkey Orchis (Orchis simia) or Man's Orchid (Orchis anthropophorum).

Rosettes of the Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera)


A rozette of the Lady Orchid (Orchis purpurea)

Leaving Belgium through the locks I continued my way to Maastricht through the Jeker valley of which I've posted a picture below.


The Albert canal near Petit-Lanaye


The locks

Search for rosettes continues

Last weekend I came to see the rosettes of the Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera) in Leeuwarden. By far this is the most northern station of the species. Although in 2008 someone reported a specimen on the isle of Texel.

It was in 2006 when Hinko Talsma first discovered flowering plants in a road verge. The following year's the plants flowered. Mr. Talsma also contacted the muncipality of Leeuwarden because their present management was inadequate. Although the muncipality was brought up to date of the findings the contracter -who actually executes the measures- decided to mow when plants were flowering.

Hinko was so kindly to show me the road verge were we soon located five rosettes. The individuals were spread out over two road verges. Below is a picture included of one of the rosettes.

Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera) on a road verge in Leeuwarden

Search for rosettes

Last thursday me and my girl-friend went on a field-trip through the countryside of southern limburg. Our main goal was to locate rosettes of early flowering orchid species, and to enjoy the staggering scenery for which this area is know for.

The trip started in Valkenburg a/d Geul. After a substantial climb we've left the Biebosch and the St. Jansbosch behind, and the Gerendal welcomed us. The frolicking walks of several lambs made clear that spring already started, and after a short lunch we continued our walk. Seeing the vegetation as it was I had little confidence we were to find any rosettes. But four eyes see a lot more than two, and it was my girlfriend who spotted the first rosette of Lady Orchid (Orchis purpurea).

The rosette of the Lady Orchid (Orchis purpurea)

Shortly after our first find soon showers appeared, and as we learned they never went away that day! Sporadicly there were some clearings. The hamlet of Beertsenhoven brought us to Gulpen. Soon we continued our way to the last site were we found rosettes of two more orchid species. The first one is the rosette of a beautifull mediterranean species that occurs only in the coastal region and uplands of southern holland. In the southern part the Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis) is a true rarity and is only known of a hand full of stations. In total we've found about 40 rosettes! That's the same number of flowering plants I've found last year. So I cautiously conclude that the severe winter (frost periode) has had no impact on the individuals within this population.

The rosette of the Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis)

A nearby grassland contained several rosettes of the Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera) last year. But the owner decided to mow the vegetation when the plants started to flower. Small Broomrape (Orobanche minor) also appears here. This year we've found an decreasing number of rosettes at the known station. Let's hope these plants are spared this year and they will welcome us with the beautifull bee-like flowers.

The rosettes of the Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera)


Small Broomrape (Orabanche minor) occurs abunduntly even after mowing
of the vegetation the previous year