About the reserve

A precious peat bog

Peat has formed over thousands of years from the remains of the humble bog plant Sphagnum moss.

These remains, halted from decaying fully due to waterlogging and acidity, have eventually built to form a dome of peat that’s higher than the surrounding land.

Drainage and tree planting in the 1950s–60s meant much of the wetland wildlife was lost, but these species are now returning following the Trust’s ambitious 15-year restoration of the site. 

What makes Foulshaw Moss so special? 

Lowland raised mires like Foulshaw Moss are one of Western Europe’s rarest and most threatened habitats.

Around 94% of this unique habitat has been destroyed or damaged in the UK, so these remaining areas are incredibly important for a range of wildlife.

Water-loving Sphagnum mosses, carnivorous sundews, cranberry and bog-rosemary are just some of the plants that thrive here, creating a living carpet of colour that’s interspersed with the soft white heads of cottongrass in early summer.

These mossy hummocks and pools provide essential nesting and feeding ground  for wetland birds such as moorhen, snipe and the elusive water rail, whilst birds of prey including hobby, sparrowhawk, buzzard and peregrine take advantage of the abundance of prey.

Foulshaw Moss is an incredibly peaceful nature reserve that offers something special for all wildlife enthusiasts.

Although the landscape is challenging, boardwalk makes visiting easy-going, with routes leading through peaty pools or out onto the open moss where many different butterflies, moths and insects are found.

Wildlife highlights

• A pair of ospreys breed here in the summer – enjoy the sight of these majestic birds of prey from the viewing platform as they soar above the moss
• An abundance of dragonflies and damselflies, including the rare white-faced darter and emperor dragonfly, can be seen around the many pools
• Listen for the secretive water rail or head onto the boardwalk to spot tree pipit, stonechat, snipe and teal
• Look for the nationally scarce argent & sable moth which flies during the day 
• Spring – Green hairstreak butterflies fly in May, tree pipits and stonechats display over the bog, warblers and cuckoos sing in the woodland, ospreys return from Africa.
• Summer- Huge numbers of dragonflies including the rare white-faced darter dragonfly, large heath butterflies, lizards, adders & nesting ospreys.
• Autumn- Heather flowering purple, migrating birds include ospreys passing through in September, red deer rutting.
• Winter – Both marsh harrier and hen harrier visit the site, large numbers of snipe and teal arrive, and red deer can be seen from the raised platform.

Habitat restoration   

In partnership with Natural England, the Trust has been carrying out significant habitat restoration works which aim to raise water levels and secure the long term future of Foulshaw Moss.

Conifer trees have been removed from around the edges as they have served to dry the peat and excavators have blocked drains and created small low bunds that retain water on the bog.   

Following the completion of restoration works, improvements to parking and access will be made, with new walkways and signage planned. 

Slowly we are seeing the characteristic bog vegetation of Sphagnum moss, cotton grass, cranberry and bog rosemary reclaiming the site.

White-faced darter reintroduction

The white-faced darter is a specialist dragonfly only found in acidic pools on lowland peat bogs.

During the late twentieth century huge swathes of habitat were lost and the white-faced darter was reduced to just two known sites in Cumbria.

In 2010 a joint project with the British Dragonfly Society enabled larvae to be taken from the remaining site and reintroduced to pools at Foulshaw Moss, where they had lived prior to drainage of the bog for forestry in the 1950s.

A total of 55 adult dragonflies were recorded emerging from the introduction pools in 2011. By 2016 numbers were close to 2,000, which is a fantastic success for this rare dragonfly.

Recent history

Foulshaw Moss was purchased in 1998 with help from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Since then, a number of additional areas have been acquired.