The first orchids are just about in flower in the fen, between the 16th Red and 4th Green. There are two or three Early Purple Orchids, which are usually the first to flower. They have loose spikes of large flowers and dark blotches on their leaves.
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| Early Purple Orchid Orchis mascula [16th Red] |
Various shades of Bluebells are in bloom around the courses. As well as the prevalent blues, there are white native Bluebells at the back of the 3rd Green on the Blue and these pink Spanish Bluebells are on the 15th Red.
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| Bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta [3rd Blue] |
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| Spanish Bluebell Hyacinthoides hispanica [15th Red] |
Other new flowers include:
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| Red Campion Silene dioica [13th Red] |
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| Broom Cytisus scoparius [15th Green] |
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| Ivy-leaved Speedwell Veronica hederifolia [9th Blue] |
Lots of these flies about at the moment. They are St. Mark's fly, so-called because they appear around St. Mark's day (25th April). You can see them flying around fairly slowly with their hind legs dangling behind.
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| St. Mark's Fly Bibio marci [6th Green] |
