Doubling up in orchid haven

Green winged orchid numbers have doubled this year at a Corfe Mullen nature reserve, according to the latest figures released by Dorset Wildlife Trust.

Corfe Mullen Meadow is one of the last remaining sites in the county with a significant number of the endangered species.  The green winged orchid thrives in undisturbed hay meadows, but numbers have been in declining due to habitat loss.  

Dorset Wildlife Trust has been recording green winged orchid numbers on this small nature reserve since 1999.  Fluctuating figures show numbers reaching a peak of nearly 20,000 in 2006 but dropping to only 2600 in 2008, the lowest on record.  An impressive array of the flowers bloomed earlier than ever this year, with numbers showing signs of recovery, creeping back to nearly 6000, more than double the total for last year.  The surveys take place in early to mid May, while the orchids are in full bloom.  

The 1.6 hectare nature reserve is unimproved grassland with a rich plant diversity.  It was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1994 and is carefully managed with a combination of traditional hay-meadow management and seasonal grazing. The meadow is left fallow after Christmas until hay is harvested in the summer.  Ponies are then allowed to graze until mid-winter.  

Nigel Brooks, Dorset Wildlife Trust Warden, said: “We would like to say that the increase is down to good management of the meadow, but, with only ten years’ data to go on, we don’t really know yet whether this is just a natural fluctuation or the start of a long term improvement.  It is certainly very encouraging for us and our volunteers.”

Other species found at Corfe Mullen Meadow include the common spotted orchid, which is widespread across the UK and the southern marsh orchid, which has proved more resilient against habitat loss than the green-winged orchid.  The meadow is also home to a large number of invertebrates, including the crab spider, ground beetle and weevil as well as bats, deer, foxes and small mammals.

Corfe Mullen Meadow is in Waterloo Road, Corfe Mullen, close to one of the proposed sites for large scale housing development in the Regional Spatial Strategy.