Orchids

First, some information about the caterpillar that was shown on yesterday's Blog. David, a volunteer, posted a comment that he had seen it before and thought that it was Svensson's Copper Underwing. 

Orchids are growing all over the reserve, many in places where they have not been seen before.  Volunteers who do the strimming of paths now have a map with all these areas marked, making strimming an interesting exercise!  Thank you for going around them all!

They are beautiful flowers and add a lovely splash of colour when they are in full bloom.  Unfortunately they do not come with a name tag and ID can be very difficult as they easily hybridise with each other.  Some books state that the pattern on the lower lobe of the flower can be used for ID.  However I do not think that the orchids have read these books!!!

This orchid is growing in an area where there are Northern Marsh and apparently once upon a time a Heath Spotted.  It does not appear to be either.

A possible Northern Marsh Orchid, but it does not look quite right for that species.

Definitely a Northern Marsh - well possibly?

Northern Marsh again? (When this photo was downloaded it could be seen that there is a spiders's web around some of the flowers and that some have been chewed.)

And this one has the looks of a Common Spotted Orchid, but it is far too early for this to be in flower.

And finally, growing where most of the orchids we call Northern Marsh are growing, was this small one.  Any ideas please?