Woodcock Bee-orchid in La Selva County

This Sunday, April 26th, we conducted field investigations in the Garrotxa and La Selva counties. During this exploration, we documented the presence of specimens of Ophrys scolopax, commonly known as the Woodcock Bee-orchid, which were still in good condition.

The observation date, in late April, aligns with the primary flowering period of this terrestrial orchid, which typically extends from mid-March to late April or even June. The specimens observed in La Selva displayed their distinctive trilobed, velvety, and convex labellum, featuring the characteristic blue or violet *speculum* mark in the shape of an "H" or "X". Their overall appearance indicated an active bloom, with the elongated lateral petals mimicking insect wings, a key adaptation for its pollination through pseudocopulation.

This Mediterranean species typically thrives in luminous habitats such as meadows, *garrigues*, or open woodlands with calcareous substrates, conditions consistent with the environment of the discovery. Documenting these local populations helps to expand knowledge about the distribution of this orchid in the Girona region.