Their return follows a decade-long call to reduce mowing during May as part of the annual No Mow May campaign, which encourages people to let grass grow to support wildlife.
Geoff Settle, chair of the Warrington Nature Conservation Forum, said: “After 10 years of pleading with the council to end/reduce grass cutting during the month of May called by Plant life “NO MOW MAY” the mowing crew haven’t cut the along side the Birchwood Expressway.
“Guess what, the beautiful wild Bee Orchids are back in numbers.
“Yesterday Friday 29th May, I went for a run to the site and I was delighted to discover in the tall grass 97 spikes.
“They are difficult to spot at first, but once you get you eye in you will see tens of them.”
Following the success of a No Mow May, 97 bee-orchids are blooming alongside the Birchwood Expressway (Image: Warrington Nature Conservation Forum)
The Warrington Nature Conservation Forum have extended thanks to Kevin McCready’s mowing team for halting mowing during the No Mow month
Mr Settle said: “The teams took some convincing, but I hope if they visit the site and see the orchids they will understand why we are so passionate.”
He explained that not just orchids, but a variety of wildflowers and insects not visible from a mower have also benefited.
“It was a fantastic feeling to see them back after ten years of being mowed down.
“Whatever magic appears has happened again, the right natural environment has been created.”
The No Mow May campaign, run by charity Plantlife, encourages individuals, councils and organisations to leave lawns and grassy areas unmown throughout May.
This allows wildflowers to bloom, supporting pollinators and other wildlife.
Cheshire Wildlife Trust has also supported the campaign, urging people to leave a patch of their garden to grow wild and help improve biodiversity.