The first Fen Orchid, which was in bloom and seed, was discovered by Tristan Moss at the beginning of July while he was out and about with other BSBI members.
Five more Fen Orchid plants were later discovered by other society members.
The orchid, known as the “crown jewel” of sand dunes, hasn’t been spotted there since 2003, despite years of searching.
Years of conservation management work amongst many organisations led to the recent discoveries.
As part of the UK-wide MOD Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) Condition Improvement Project, Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) ecologists have been collaborating with QinetiQ to conduct a systematic programme of conservation management work at Pendine for almost 20 years.
The management of the 82,000 ha of SSSI on the Defense estate is supported by this initiative.
In 2005, “scrapes,” or excavations, were conducted to remove nutrient-rich debris from a number of dune slacks as the first step in restoring the Fen Orchid.
The dune slacks, which are low-lying regions of the dune system that provide as habitat for rare and specialised species, are periodically flooded as a result of this process, which also serves to maintain a high water table and prevents the growth of excessive vegetation.
More meticulously planned restoration work has recently been finished, including clearing out vegetation and re-blocking a sizable canal to aid the sand dunes’ hydrology.
Natural Resources Wales’ Sands of LIFE (SoLIFE) project has been in charge of maintaining scrub removal since 2019 in order to remove re-grown invasive plants and manage scrub along the area’s perimeter so that the dune slacks can continue to be accessible.
Tristan Moss, an 11-year-old who rediscovered the orchid, said:
I’ve attended BSBI meetings in Wales since I was a young child, and this year was the finest ever because to the discovery of the fen orchid.
Senior Ecologist Oliver Howells from the Defense Infrastructure Organization said:
The culmination of years of work by DIO and QinetiQ in collaboration with tenants, Natural Resources Wales, and the Sands of LIFE project is the recovery of this iconic species.
It’s an actual success tale and a fantastic illustration of the sustained effort required to promote nature recovery at this and other significant wildlife places.
Sands of LIFE Project and Monitoring Officer Laura Bowen stated:
The outcomes of the scrub clearance effort that was finished at Pendine have us incredibly happy.
Specialized, low-growing dune plants will be outcompeted by scrub and rank vegetation.
A variety of plant species, including the Fen Orchid, can thrive as a result of this finished work.
To focus on important areas for restoration, SoLIFE collaborated closely with site managers QinetiQ, DIO ecologists, and Ruth Harding, Senior Environment Officer for Carmarthenshire at Natural Resources Wales.
We also want to congratulate our contractors AJ Butler Contracting, who operate carefully and with great consideration for delicate settings, and BSBI, who carried out crucial monitoring surveys and made this amazing discovery.
According to Jane Mercer, managing director of QinetiQ’s long-term partnership agreement:
To safeguard the flora and animals on our sites, we make sure that we collaborate efficiently with partners including DIO, Natural Resources Wales, the Environment Agency, and other organisations that look after the UK’s wildlife.
We shall take action to protect the survival of the Fen Orchid at Pendine since we are thrilled that it has been rediscovered there.
The administration and long-term care of the many sites that QinetiQ is in charge of with nature designations is something we take very seriously.
We also make sure that our operational impact is as small as possible.
We are honoured to be a part of the team responsible for protecting and sustaining the wildlife in the UK.
Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI) members Richard and Kath Pryce stated:
During the yearly Carmarthenshire recording week, sixteen members of the BSBI were present at Pendine.
Tristan Moss, who is eleven years old, discovered the first Fen Orchid again when it was in flower and seed.
The group then discovered a further five plants, four of which were dormant and one of which was in blossom and seed.
Other unusual species, such as the Fragrant Orchid (Gymnadenia densiflora), Dotted Sedge (Carex punctata), and Adder’s-tongue Fern, were noted during the day (Ophioglossum vulgatum).
The environment at Pendine will continue to be improved as part of ongoing management in an effort to attract more Fen Orchids there in the future.
We appreciate the Pendine Establishment workers allowing us entry to the party.