Drumburgh Moss NNR

This National Nature Reserve is a site of international importance, dominated by an expanse of lowland raised mire, one of Western Europe's most threatened habitats. Sphagnum moss, sundew and other bog-loving plants thrive in the wetlands that make up much of the terrain. In spring you might be treated to breeding displays of curlew, skylark and reed buntings. Red grouse, redshank, snipe and grasshopper warbler also breed here. Autumn is a good time to spot short-eared owls quartering the moss. The nationally rare large heath butterfly is on the wing from June to August looking for cotton grass on which it lays its eggs. The pools near the nature reserve entrance are alive with dragonflies and damselflies during the summer months. In winter the nature reserve often hosts small numbers of geese from the huge flocks on the Solway. Summer is the time to find adders and common lizards basking. At all times of year you might catch a glimpse of the shy roe deer and hares or perhaps a fox.