Kojak and I headed back out Orchid hunting in Kent for late spring species following our successful trip a few weeks ago for early spring species HERE. We visited Wye Downs Nature Reserve, back to Park Gate Down and then onto Sandwich Bay.
Wye Downs Nature Reserve (GPS HERE)
Our first stop was accessed from near the triangle on Amage and Brabourne Roads (the Black-veined Moth site) and our second stop was at the Late Spider Orchid spot (GPS above). In the chalk valleys here we had Late Spider, Bee, Pyramidal, Common Spotted and Fragrant Orchids. It was too cloudy and cool for moths, just a few Common Heaths flying around.
Late Spider Orchid 
Bee Orchid
Pyramidal Orchid
We failed to locate the Musk Orchids here (supposed to be in the third field from the car park). We spoke to a couple of locals who said they may not be out yet. There were literally thousands of Fragrant Orchids here and also Pyramidal Orchids, Common Spotted Orchids a few Greater Butterfly Orchids and Common Twayblades.
Fragrant Orchids (above and below)
Fragrant Orchid (white morph)
Greater Butterfly Orchid
Common Spotted Orchid
Sandwich Bay
We parked at the Royal St. George's Golf Club visitors car park and took the public footpath across the golf course towards the coast. We found Lizard Orchids almost immediately in the roughs but the majority of orchids were near the coast edge. We also a Southern Marsh Orchid on the golf course with good numbers near the Bird Observatory trapping area. We did a bit of birding in this area, the most interesting thing was what appeared to be a hybrid House Martin x Swallow.
Lizard Orchid
Southern Marsh Orchid
Small Skipper on Viper's Bugloss
Presumed House Martin x Swallow hybrid
A pretty stunning looking bird
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