Witherslack Mosses

{{Short description|Wetland in Cumbria, England}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}} {{Infobox protected area | name = Witherslack Mosses | alt_name = | iucn_category = V | image = | image_alt = | image_caption = | image_size = | map = England | map_alt = | map_caption = Map of [[England]] | map_width = | location = [[Cumbria]], [[England]] | nearest_city = | coordinates = {{coord|54.2362|N|2.8395|W|region:GB-CMA|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | coords_ref = <ref name="EEA" /> | area = {{Convert|486|ha|abbr=on}} | established = | visitation_num = | visitation_year = | governing_body = | url = }} '''Witherslack Mosses''' are a fragmented wetland west of the [[River Kent|Kent estuary]] in [[Cumbria]], [[England]], within the [[Lake District National Park]]. They consist of three [[raised bog]]s, the remnants of a formerly extensive, estuarine bog, which have been protected under the [[Habitats Directive]] as a [[Special Area of Conservation]].<ref name="EEA">{{cite web | url=http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites/UK0030302 | title=Witherslack Mosses (Site UK0030302) | publisher=[[European Environment Agency]] | accessdate=January 25, 2013}}</ref> *[[Foulshaw Moss]], with an area of 350 ha, the largest of the three.<ref name=CWT.Foulshaw>[http://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/reserves/foulshaw-moss Foulshaw Moss], Cumbria Wildlife Trust. Retrieved November 2013</ref> *[[Meathop Moss]], 82 ha,<ref name="CWT.Meathop">{{cite web | url=http://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/reserves/meathop-moss | title=Meathop Moss | publisher=Cumbria Wildlife Trust | accessdate=3 November 2013}}</ref> *[[Nichols Moss]], 12.5 ha<ref name="nwemail" />

The site was designated an SAC in 2005. The bogs were already individually protected as [[nature reserve]]s in the care of [[Cumbria Wildlife Trust]] and, under UK legislation, as [[Sites of Special Scientific Interest]].

==Restoration== All three bogs have retained some of the original dome structure, characteristic of raised bogs. However, each has been degraded by drainage and by peat-cutting around the edges. Restoration work has been carried out since the late 20th century. This has reversed [[afforestation]] and associated drainage work.<ref>Amodeo, Christian. [https://web.archive.org/web/20150924115413/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-124076552.html "Cumbria's largest peatbog restored].(Foulshaw Moss)(Brief Article)." [[Geographical (magazine)|Geographical]] (UK). Circle Publishing Ltd. 2004. Accessed via [[HighBeam Research]]. 27 Dec. 2012.</ref>

In 2022 land adjacent to Nicholls Moss was bought in order to extend the reserve.<ref name="nwemail">{{Cite news |last=Hodges |first=M |title=Help and support to local farmers who are looking to undertake environmental work comes as Cumbria Wildlife Trust given funds to widen peat restoration in the county |work=The Mail |url=https://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/19838958.help-support-local-farmers-looking-undertake-environmental-work-comes-cumbria-wildlife-trust-given-funds-widen-peat-restoration-county/}}</ref>

==Public access== Parking for Foulshaw Moss is just off the [[A590]] (westbound). [[File:Foulshaw Moss.jpg|thumbnail|Work to improve access to Foulshaw Moss]] Raised water levels, as a result of bog restoration work, adversely affected public access to Meathop Moss and Foulshaw Moss around 2012, and the [[boardwalk]]s had to be relaid.

==Fauna== The mosses are known for their invertebrates.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.english-nature.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1001143.pdf| title=Meathop Moss | publisher=[[English Nature]] | accessdate=3 January 2015}}</ref> The restoration of the wetland has seen species returning, notably: * [[White-faced Darter]]s (reintroduced from 2010).<ref name="Guardian">{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/jun/13/rare-dragonflies-hatch-reserve | title=Rare dragonflies hatch at reserve following reintroduction | work=[[The Guardian]] | year=2011 | accessdate=January 16, 2013}}</ref> * [[Osprey]]s (nested successfully at Foulshaw Moss in 2014).<ref name="WG">{{Cite web |last=Murphy |date=May 2014 |title=Ospreys seen at new site |url=http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/11197563.Ospreys_seen_at_new_site_in_South_Lakes/ |website=[[Westmorland Gazette]] |accessdate=6 July 2014}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

[[Category:Bogs of England]] [[Category:Nature reserves of the Cumbria Wildlife Trust]] [[Category:Special Areas of Conservation in Cumbria]]