South Lakes - Orchids time

After the success at Ormsgill, we headed back east to explore the Latterbarrow NR near Foulshaw. As we walked through the entrance gate we were both amazed at the wildflower meadow in front of us. All colours of the rainbow flowers, with somewhere in there - Orchids.

We soon found some that were past their best in an area where there had been Fly Orchid seen but were difficult to identify.

Butterflies soon got out attention again with a couple of Northern Brown Argus close by, and, for once, Brimstone actually perched rather than the usual flying away.

As we completed a first lap of the meadow, we found our first of the specialist Orchids here - Greater Butterfly Orchid. Soon we had found nearly 2 dozen beautiful flowers.

A number of regular visitors were also present and one of them very kindly guided us to a couple of fresh Fly Orchid. Wonderfully delicate flowers...

After a couple of Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary had fluttered past, our final new Orchid was a single Green-winged Orchid near the entrance. Lovely.

South Lakes - Orchids and Butterflies (Ormsgill)

Yesterday, Simon and I headed to the South Lakes for a day of Orchids and Butterflies. First stop was the higher than expected Ormsgill Slag Banks in Barrow-in-Furness.

A quick climb to top revealed amazing views across Furness and to the hills of the Lakes. After a couple of Common Blues, the sought after Small Blue appeared, even smaller than the Silver-studded Blues we saw on Great Orme last year. A dark, purple/blue upper wing, and Holly Blue like underwing made for straightforward identification.

Other lepidoptera seen were a couple of Dingy Skipper, various White's and some interesting moths, with Burnet Companion and Cinnabar Moth standing out.

After we had seen well over 20 Small Blues, widespread across the banks, we then discovered several groups of Bee Orchids, as well as Northern Marsh Orchid. Beautiful in the morning sunshine...

Next stop, for more beautiful flowers was Latterbarrow NR.