Meathop Moss

Restoration Delivered

Restoration activities carried out by Cumbria Wildlife Trust and Natural England have included:

  • Removal of conifer trees from around the edges to prevent drying of the peat
  • Drain blocking using an excavator
  • Creation of small, low bunds to retain water on the bog

Rising water levels and access for work has meant the Cumbria Wildlife Trust has had to move sections of the boardwalk, and the original access route onto the bog is now unusable. Temporary access has therefore been installed, with plans to create and install new access routes, walkways and signage.

Site Activity

Management at Meathop Moss is aimed at retaining as much water as possible on the bog, to enable peat formation. This has involved removing trees and blocking drainage ditches. Cumbria Wildlife Trust has also purchased adjacent farmland and raised water levels there.

Biodiversity

Sphagnum mosses, cotton grass, bog rosemary, bog asphodel, cross-leaved heath and sundew are all found on Meathop Moss.

Come May and early June, green hairstreak butterflies and emperor moths can be seen. The uncommon large heath butterfly is also found late June to early August. Northern eggar moth is also active at this time. Other invertebrates include bog bush cricket and a variety of dragonflies and damselflies.

Snipe,stonechat and tree pipit are often seen. Red and roe deer, and adder are also present.

{"zoom":12,"lat":54.2362207,"lon":-2.8455283,"markers":{"0":{"lat":54.2362207,"lon":-2.8455283}}}

Project Name: Meathop Moss

Organisation / Lead partner: Cumbria Wildlife Trust

Location: Witherslack, Cumbria

Approximate area covered: 82 ha

Conservation Status: Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Nature Reserve (NR), National Park (NP)

Predominately: Lowland

Peat Habitats: Lowland raised bog

Project Type: Restoration, Management

Year Project Began: 1998

    Painting of a river in spate: Peter Graham 1866, 'A spate in the highlands'
    Call for proposals for Water Research Seminar SeriesThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme and the Environment Agency are delighted to announce a series of…
    'Work in progress' sign with a digger on it next to two photographs of children drawing on large sheets of paper
    The Power of the Peat Bogs! How pupils turned their environmental education into a song Primary school pupils who have engaged with a project to restore ancient peatland and traditional…
    SWPP award
    South West Peatland Partnership awarded gold by Global Good AwardsThe South West Peatland Partnership won a Gold award at the Global Good Awards for their work…
    Exterior view of Virtual Peatland Pavilion showing four large domes in a desert landscape
    Seeking content for the COP29 Virtual Peatland PavilionThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme and Global Peatlands Initiative are seeking new content for an…
    UK Peatland Strategy
    New report celebrates UK peatland restoration – but climate and nature targets still at riskAnalysis reveals 250,000 hectares of peatland restoration activity over 30 years – way short of the…
    Peatland at Inshriach, Allt a’ Mharcaidh
    Largest ever gathering of UK peatland experts to celebrate ‘Peatlands, People and Nature’ in the Cairngorms National ParkAviemore in the Cairngorms National Park is to play host to the UK’s largest gathering of peatland…
    Landscape of mountains and forest
    View the full programme for #PeatConf24 and book your tickets now!The full programme for the IUCN UK Peatland Programme 2024 conference ‘Peatlands, People and Nature…
    CivTech in white writing with blue background and outlines of scales, lightbulb and book
    CivTech challenge invites ideas for Peatland Code and Woodland Carbon CodeProposals are being invited for the Scottish Government's CivTech Challenge 10.6 to use technology…
    Talla Gameshope image
    Changes to UK Land Carbon Registry feesFrom 1 November 2024, the fees charged to issue and convert units on the UK Land Carbon Registry…
    Peatland with mountains on the background
    Scottish peatland recognised as globally important by UNESCO World Heritage Site designation The Flow Country in the north of Scotland, Europe's largest expanse of blanket bog, has been…
    Brown butterfly with black spots on pink bell shaped flower
    New species showcase - large heathOur latest species showcase introduces the large heath butterfly, its association with two iconic…
    Haresfoot cottongrass with blue sky in the background. Credit Laurie Campbell SNH
    New briefing addresses the peatlands and methane debateThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme has launched a new briefing “Peatlands and Methane” that summarises…