As an antidote to the dark days of winter, here's a reminder of what summer has to offer at the Reserve. The photos below were taken back in June.
The Common Spotted Orchid is a perennial that thrives in the undisturbed grass amongst the heathland at the top of Worvas Hill (behind the monument). It has scented flowers that attract, and are pollinated by, day flying moths.
The Southern (or Leopard) Marsh Orchid needs a wetter environment and grows further down Worvas Hill towards the old reservoir.
Both of these orchids are part of the Dactylorhiza family, which translates to 'finger-like roots'.
They are not very picky when it comes to reproduction and hybridise easily amongst themselves making them sometimes difficult to identify specifically!