VISITORS to Stoulton Woods will now be able to spot two special types of orchid after they began flowering there.
The unusual pyramid and bee orchids have started to spring up in the maturing woodlands – with visitors asked to be careful not to trample on the orchids.
Wychavon District Council is even considering cordoning them off so visitors can clearly find them, but not accidentally destroy them.
Liz Etheridge, from Wychavon District Council, said: “The orchids are growing on a mound of soil that came from the flood alleviation project at Hawbridge, some 12 years ago.
“For the last few years, the grassy mound has been mown, usually around this time of year, but last year we left it a bit later and lo and behold the orchids appeared.”
“Suitable sites for orchids are vanishing fast but they have been popping up on road verges and worked out limestone quarries.
“The pyramidal orchid was a total surprise but after talking to volunteers who do a butterfly survey apparently they regularly spot orchids in flower along the woodland paths which is fantastic news.”
The Stoulton Community Woodland can be accessed from the small car park off the B4084 at Hawbridge.
Visitors can explore a network of paths around the maturing woodland with views over the surrounding countryside as far as the Malvern’s.
