Smardale orchids

Midsummer is the time for the Smardale circular walk: last week was fine weather so we tootled off with some friends staying at the Hall, a holiday let. Plenty of butterfly orchids in the Smardale Wood, but no wintergreens seen this year. As always, a visit to Waitby/Greenriggs nature reserve is a must, and is joined up to Smardale by continuing on the disused railway line westwards., see Blog “Smardale and Waitby reduced walk” of 21/6/19. A couple leaving the reserve said there were no fly orchids to be seen, but they are there, within 30 yards of the entrance, on the south bank. They are marked with white tags but are quite small. All told 64 different flower species seen on the round. Some orchids shown below. (Left click to expand)