“The reed orchid, the helleborine orchid, the bee orchid, the sweet-scented night orchid, the bee orchid…”, Lucien Klomp has only just begun his enumeration of the orchid species that can be found in Zwanenwater. The forester of Natuurmonumenten gives a tour of Natural North Holland in the orchid paradise of our province. 2023 is the fiftieth year that Natuurmonumenten manages this wet nature reserve near Callantsoog. It has since become a tourist attraction.
A few people are standing along the path, looking at the ground. The lenses of their cameras are also aimed at the grass in front of them. “I think it’s one, I’m sure.” Forest ranger Lucien confirms: “That is indeed a bee orchid, you saw that correctly.” The tripod is moved for a while to be able to take an even better photo.
“Look, that’s what we came for, we are nature lovers with a special place in our hearts for the orchid.” The accent reveals that they have had a long car journey from the south to be here in Zwanenwater.
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It was still quite a search for the bee orchid, but fortunately they are right next to the path. “You see more and more bee orchids in the Netherlands, but they are still quite rare.” You can’t say that about the reed orchid.
Knol: “The reed orchid is the quickest satisfied of all orchids. Poor soil that is a bit wet, not too mowing and there is a good chance that you will even get it in your garden.” The evidence is admirable by the thousands. Large pieces of Swan water turn pink from this large orchid.
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The fragrant night orchid is much more subtle in appearance. She looks a bit pale compared to her more colorful relatives. “But once you’ve seen them, you’ll find them in more and more places,” says Lucien happily. “It’s really beautiful now, one variety after another is blooming. Some like wet fields, others prefer drier feet.”
Soon Lucien hopes to be able to officially add a new orchid species to the list. “Last year someone very likely saw dogweed somewhere. Now we have to wait and see if it comes up again near that spot so we can confirm that.” It would be a new pearl to the jewel that is Swan Water.