On Wednesday the 10th of June we held our annual orchid count at Pudsham Meadows, as part of our long term monitoring of biodiversity and health of the site. DPA Conservation Volunteers were joined by a skilled and enthusiastic team of Devon Wildlife Trust volunteers, who helped us make an efficient and thorough survey of all four fields. In 2025 we counted 2320 orchid spikes in total, which was a slight but promising increase on the 2024 total of 2021. This year, we were concerned that the unusually dry weather of early spring may have had a detrimental impact on orchid numbers, but we were delighted to discover that plant numbers had actually increased again to 3222. This is an increase of 902 from the previous year.
Southern Marsh orchids remained the most plentiful orchids on site, with 1376 being recorded in total. This number has increased from the 1064 recorded in 2025, which indicates that these eye-catching native plants are continuing to thrive at Pudsham. Although these orchids are plentiful at Pudsham, it is worth being mindful of the fact that they have vanished from 20% of their historical range, which has been attributed to changing agricultural practices and the draining and improvement of damp pastures. This highlights the importance of caring for established hay meadows such as Pudsham and our Land Management plan for the next 5 years has a strong focus on maintaining the balance of conditions that allow vulnerable species, such as orchids, to keep a strong foothold.
Heath Spotted orchids were the next most plentiful, with 916 plants being recorded across the site. This is up from the previous figure of 586 in 2025. The seeds of native British orchids are reliant on the correct fungal partners being present in the soil, and will not germinate without these partners present. This is why the long term care of meadows is so important, with many slow improvements in species numbers happening over a 15-20 year period. Where the correct conditions are already present, self-sown orchids can first show after 2-3 years, but generally require 3-5 years before flowering for the first time. The slow spreading nature of orchids is one of the factors that makes our yearly surveying and recording of numbers of plants and their locations so important. Some of the positive outcomes of our land management practices, marked by orchid numbers, may take up to 5 years to become visible.
Greater Butterfly orchids also displayed a marked increase in numbers, with 563 plants being recorded this year, in comparison to 481 in 2025. These orchids specialise in night-time pollination, producing a pleasant scent in the evening which attracts pollinating moths. Orchid seeds are typically small and windbourne, forming after successful pollination by flies, bees or butterflies. As well as producing seeds, native orchids spread via underground structures and this often proves a more successful method of multiplying than by seed. Many orchids store nutrients in tubers beneath the soil over winter and in spring these tubers can feed the existing orchid, as well as growing a whole new plant.
The most subtle and unassuming of all the orchids at Pudsham, Twayblade orchids displayed the most notable increase, with 317 plants counted this year, in comparison to just 90 in 2025. These delicate orchids are the hardest to spot and, even armed with illustrated identification sheets, it can be challenging for volunteers to find them amongst the grasses and bracken. Blending in with their surroundings, they have up to 100 tiny greeny white flowers clustered on a stem up to 50cm tall. One thing we did note during the count was that many orchids, across all species, seemed to look more compact and slender than they had on previous years. This may have been due to uncharacteristically dry early spring weather, or it may be down to the fact that many orchids were young plants, counted for the first time this year.
Derek Collins, DPA volunteer leader, said: ‘The volunteers did a wonderful job in counting the orchids, of which there were 3222 which was 902 up on last year so many, many thanks for their efforts. It was good to be joined by the DWT volunteers, they certainly help us finish at a respectable time and they have good knowledge of orchids and other wildlife.’
On the Sunday before our orchid count we were pleased to open up Pudsham Meadows as part of the Moor Meadows programme of open meadows. This was a chance for people to visit the site with knowledgeable volunteer guides present, ready to give them a tour of Pudsham Meadow, Sylvia’s Field, Goat Field and Small Field. Around 20 people came along, who were all very appreciative of having the chance to look round and learn from experts how to identify some of the fascinating flora and fauna that calls Pudsham home. If you feel enthused by the care put into our beautiful meadows, you may enjoy coming long to help look after them on one of our volunteer workdays, Our friendly team of Conservation Volunteers are always delighted to welcome new faces. All tools and instruction is provided, and a list of upcoming opportunities can be found on our website.