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Islanders are being invited to dive into a "riot of colour" with the "supermodels" of the flower world next weekend, as thousands of wild orchids enter full bloom in St. Ouen.
Le Noir Pré's orchid meadows will be open to the public on 19 May as part of the National Trust's third environmental festival, #LoveNature.
Three species of orchids can be found growing in the area: the Southern Marsh Orchid, Jersey Orchid and the Spotted Orchid. From May through June, National Trust representatives have said that the meadows will be a "riot of colour", as the flowerspikes of the orchids unfurl their exotic petals.
Pictured: Three species of orchids can be found in Le Noir Pré: the Southern Marsh Orchid, Jersey Orchid and the Spotted Orchid.
Orchid counts take place every two years and since 1995 numbers have increased from 1,500 to over 90,000.
As well as orchids, there are 80 other flowering plants in the meadows and a wide diversity of insects, mammals and birds.
Local botanist Tina Hull will be giving a talk on 19 May at 15:00 to discuss what some describe as the "supermodels of the flower world." Ms Hull, who will also host a floral meander on 16 May, will explain how to identify the different species as well as the tricks they have developed to ensure their pollination and propagation.
The opening of the Orchid Fields is just one of many events the National Trust is putting on as part of #LoveNature.
Pictured: National Park champion Mike Stentiford MBE will discuss La Mielle de Morville.
Wildlife is at the heart of the festival and participants will get to enjoy a dawn chorus walk (18 May) and see Skylarks and Sand Martins with Neil Singleton and Alli Caldeira from 'Jersey Birding Tours' (17 May), learn about bird ringing with Cris Sellares from 'Birds on the Edge', and find out about 'capturing’ wildlife with renowned photographer Romano da Costa (19 May).
Nature enthusiasts can join the Trust’s Lands Team on a series of behind the scenes trails, and enjoy a nostalgic toddle around La Mielle de Morville with National Park champion Mike Stentiford MBE (16 May).
Kazz Padidar will also be foraging along the coast and inland for the more adventurous on Wednesday.
Pictured: Children will get to discover wildlife on bug safaris and rock pool rambles.
Dave Goulson, a British biologist, conservationist and author of five books - including ‘A Sting in the Tale’ and ‘A Buzz in the Meadow’ - will be giving a talk about ‘Gardening to Save the Planet’ on 17 May at the Members' Room of the Royal Jersey Showground.
Younger environmentalists will get to discover wildlife on bug safaris and rock pool rambles, create organic works of art and get up close and personal with birds of prey.
They can also learn about pollinators and understand how to encourage them into their garden. Families can explore the bay on a self-guided trail ending with a free ice cream on completion.
The Jersey Bat Group will be staging a ‘Hugh the Bat’ talk at the Wetland Centre, and those wishing to see the elusive creatures can test out bat detectors near the pond on 18 May.
Pictured: Plastic Free Jersey will organise a Beach Clean Bingo and micro-plastic hunt at the White House.
Anti-litterers will get to enjoy a session of 'Beach Clean Bingo' and a micro-plastic hunt at the White House with Plastic Free Jersey at 14:00 on 18 May.
Other activities include a cinema experience at Frances Le Sueur Centre, with Wes Anderson’s quirky comedy ‘Moonrise Kingdom’ on show.
Read the full programme by clicking here.
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