Does anyone know who is responsible for putting up the protective cages around the Lizard Orchids? Got this message today from friend: "I called in at the site for Lizard and Bee orchids this am. There are about 6 lizards on opposite side of road to the main plant. All in bud but one or two look like they’ve been trod on. The bees are in flower but still a number in bud and again one or two trodden on. Someone has stacked the orchids yet still county council seem to insist on mowing the verges. They are a bloody nuisance and cannot understand why they have to this."
I have checked the site this morning - and can confirm that the verges near the orchids have not been mown, and that the County Council is well aware of the site. There is some trampling and some bee orchids have been trodden on. The Lizard orchid is fine. There is some damage to the verge generally, by parking and trampling. This may be from visitors to the orchid site - I would urge anyone to park some way off and walk, if they want to see them, as I did today. The cages have been put up by an unknown person to help protect them, and not by the County Council.
Sue Timms, Team Manager (Ecology) - Leicestershire County Council