Nearest town: Morecambe
Grid reference: SD 423603

Heysham Moss Nature Reserve consists of a variety of habitats including areas of woodland and scrub, wet grassland and most importantly the central area of raised bog.

The Reserve is the second best example of a cut-over raised bog in the county after Winmarleigh Moss. While the core area is relatively unmodified, the periphery has been affected by past peat cutting and drainage. The reserve is of considerable botanical interest with the central part of the bog still supporting a number of characteristic bog species, including Round Leaved Sundew, Bog Myrtle, Bog Rosemary, Bog Asphodel and the locally rare White Beaked Sedge. The site also holds a number of important mosses and liverworts, including twelve species of Sphagnum, or "bog moss" as they are more commonly known, which are essential to the functioning of an active raised bog. Several rare liverworts have also been recorded.

The reserve is of ornithological interest for both breeding and wintering birds. Breeding birds have included Lapwing, Shelduck, Grasshopper Warbler, Reedbunting, Skylark, Linnet and Grey Partridge. Wintering birds include Snipe, Jack Snipe, Woodcock and Teal as well as flocks of Redwing and Fieldfare.

Much of the recording is still in its early stages and we are continually adding new species to the reserve list.

Management
It is hoped to eventually restore the bog to a favourable conservation status through appropriate habitat and hydrological management. Current work is geared towards establishing a comprehensive ecological baseline data set as well as an understanding of the hydrology of the site.

For further information contact:

Reuben Neville
Heysham Reserves Manager

tel: 07979 652138
email: rneville@lancswt.org.uk

Click on the down arrow to jump to a different reserve:

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Location
From Morecambe, take the A589 south towards Heysham. About 500m after passing the shops at Strawberry Gardens turn left onto Heysham Mossgate Road. At the mini roundabout turn right down Meldon Road and continue for another 500m where you will see a footpath off to your right. Access onto the Moss is over the railway bridge and through the kissing gate 300m down track.

Cycle Route

Access
No permit is required but we ask dog walkers to keep dogs on lead to minimise disturbance to wildlife.

Status
The reserve is owned and managed by the Wildlife Trust. Most of the 21.34 hectare site is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) while the remainder is a Biological Heritage Site.

Heysham Moss Woods

Heysham Moss Boardwalk

Sphagnum Pulcrum