The number of orchids at Kenfig National Nature Reserve has soared from 200 to more than 4,000 in the last five years.
Wardens and volunteers at the 1,300-acre reserve near Porthcawl said there were now so many that they were unable to count them all in a single day.
Speaking at a full Bridgend County Borough Council meeting on July 24, cabinet member for communities, Richard Young, said: “There were fears for the future of the super-rare Fen Orchid as recently as 2015 after its numbers dropped to fewer than 200.
“But thanks to a special landscape management scheme which involves cutting back grass and scraping the surface of dune slacks to encourage and stimulate growth, the Fen Orchids have now increased to more than 1,000.
“The site features as many as 15 different species and wardens estimate the total number of orchids is over 4,000.”
The different species include Twayblades, Autumn Lady’s Tresses and Bee Orchids while the reserve is also home to the UK’s entire population of the Fen Orchid.
The Fen Orchid attracts botanists from all over the world.
The local authority is currently preparing for the handover of the management of the site when the lease expires in 2020.
The plants and flowers that can be harmful:
Cllr Young said: “Together with Natural Resources Wales, we are supporting the Kenfig Corporation Trust as they seek to appoint a new organisation capable of continuing with this work.”
The nature reserve, which features a mix of coastal dune and wetland environments, is regarded as one of Europe’s best examples of a sand dune habitat.
