IT’S not just bluebells that create wonderful natural sights in the countryside.
Ashridge Estate ranger Lawrence Trowbridge says that the chalk grasslands of the Pitstone Hills and Ivinghoe Beacon are perfect breeding ground for a variety of wild orchids, which are in bloom now.
“We have the common spotted orchid, fragrant orchid, bee orchid, frog orchid, pyramidal orchid and twayblade orchid. They are rare because the chalk grassland is an incredibly rich habitat that’s very much endangered.”