Lady's Slipper Orchid

Last year Kanyl and I managed to find and see these beautiful flowers on the Gait Barrow National nature Reserve.  As Clickychick wasn't with us we decided to make a trip this year.  We were a little late as spring has been so busy this year.

We approached from a different direction so there was a certain amount of "exploration required.  Eventually I located the two groups which are known about.  There are others hidden on the reserve I believe.  This plant is so rare that these are a reintroduction, the wild population is reduced to single plant at a guarded and secret location in Yorkshire.

One of these plants has been stolen during a recent winter.  There are some strange people in the world.

After Gait Barrow we had lunch at Leighton Moss RSPB reserve, where thankfully the major focus appear to still be birds.  Our major sighting for the afternoon was the hunting Marsh Harrier.