Oulton Moss

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 54.8510, -3.1646

Open in the interactive map →

Also within

Cumbria County

Condition (Natural England)

Unfavourable Declining (7) Unfavourable No Change (2)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
NY250513 — Unfavourable Declining 2.09 2012-03-30
NY251512 — Unfavourable Declining 2.98 2011-09-21
NY251514 — Unfavourable Declining 1.39 2012-03-30
NY252514 — Unfavourable Declining 4.23 2011-09-21
NY253512 — Unfavourable Declining 2.34 2011-09-21
NY253513 — Unfavourable Declining 2.21 2011-09-21
NY254511 — Unfavourable No Change 3.43 2011-09-21
NY254513 — Unfavourable Declining 2.97 2011-09-21
NY255513 — Unfavourable No Change 2.83 2012-03-30

Climate exposure

This is about exposure to a nationwide pressure this habitat type carries — not a verdict on this site's own management.

Peatland

Peat habitats store centuries of carbon and depend on a stable, waterlogged water table. Warmer, drier summers dry out peat, making it far more vulnerable to wildfire and to carbon release — a pressure that can undo years of restoration work regardless of how well the site is otherwise managed.

Habitats

Blanket bog

Geology & landscape

Rock Type: Glacial Till

Landscape processes: Glacial, Peatland / Mire

Description

Description Oulton Moss lies 12 kilometres south west of Carlisle and three kilometres north of Wigton. It lies in a basin over boulder clay, at an altitude of only 12 metres OD. Stratigraphical evidence shows that this basin once contained a lake, probably formed by melting ice during the glacial period about 10,000 B C. Over a period of several thousand years the lake gradually filled with silt and organic matter and a floating mat of vegetation, including bog mosses Sphagnum spp., developed around the edge. As the margins filled with the remains of this community the centre of the raft became continuous and a substantial thickness of peat was formed. Although the surface of the moss has been cut over for peat and modified in recent years by burning, Oulton Moss is still one of the best examples of this type of bog in North Cumbria. Heather Calluna vulgaris and cross leaved heath Erica tetralix are the dominant plant species, together with deer grass Trichophorum cespitosum and common and hare’s tail cotton grasses Eriophorum angustifolium and Eriophorum vaginatum. Amongst this community may be found various bog mosses including Sphagnum compactum, S. molle and S. tenellum. Bog myrtle Myrica gale occurs frequently beside old peat cuttings and other less common species include bog rosemary Andromeda polifolia and oblong leaved sundew Drosera intermedia in some of the wetter areas. The eastern part of the site is wooded, dominated by mature pine Pinus sylvestris and oak Quercus petraea, with birch Betula pubescens and some alder Alnus glutinosa, aspen Populus tremula and willows Salix species. Pine and birch are encroaching onto the main area of the moss and pose a considerable threat to its interest. Other Information The boundary has been modified by partial deletion during this revision.

Species mentioned

English name
search for this in other sites		 Latin name
search with Google		 IUCN / Red List Type Family
oblong-leaved sundew Drosera intermedia LC herb droceraceae
compact bog moss Sphagnum compactum LC moss sphagnales
bog moss Sphagnum spp. Not listed in GB list moss sphagnales
common cottongrass Eriophorum angustifolium NT sedge cyperaceae
hare's-tail cottongrass Eriophorum vaginatum LC sedge cyperaceae
deergrass, deer sedge Trichophorum cespitosum LC sedge cyperaceae
bog rosemary Andromeda polifolia LC shrub ericaceae
bell heather or ling Calluna vulgaris NT shrub dwarf ericaceae
cross leaved heath Erica tetralix NT shrub dwarf ericaceae
bog myrtle Myrica gale NT shrub dwarf salicaceae
alder Alnus glutinosa LC tree salicaceae
downy birch Betula pubescens LC tree betulaceae
Scot's pine Pinus sylvestris LC tree pinaceae
aspen Populus tremula LC tree salicaceae
sessile or durmast oak Quercus petraea LC tree fagaceae

Insects to look out for

These moths, butterflies and beetles are known to feed on plants recorded at this site, and carry a notable UK conservation status — but a host-plant being present doesn't mean the insect has actually been recorded here. Treat this as "worth watching for," not a confirmed sighting.

SpeciesStatusVia host-plant
Oak lutestring
Cymatophorina diluta		 Endangered Quercus petraea
Dark bordered beauty
Epione vespertaria		 Endangered Populus tremula
Shoulder-striped clover
Heliothis maritima		 Endangered Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix
Scarce vapourer
Orgyia recens		 Endangered Alnus glutinosa, Betula spp., Quercus spp.
The sprawler
Asteroscopus sphinx		 Vulnerable Betula spp., Populus spp., Quercus spp.
Broom moth
Ceramica pisi		 Vulnerable Betula spp., Calluna vulgaris, Myrica gale, Pinus spp.
Scarce chocolate-tip
Clostera anachoreta		 Vulnerable Populus spp., Populus tremula
Large heath
Coenonympha tullia		 Vulnerable Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum
Beetle
Cryptocephalus biguttatus		 Vulnerable Erica tetralix
Mottled umber
Erannis defoliaria		 Vulnerable Betula spp., Populus tremula, Quercus spp.
Satyr pug
Eupithecia satyrata		 Vulnerable Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Myrica gale
True lover's knot
Lycophotia porphyrea		 Vulnerable Calluna vulgaris
The lackey
Malacosoma neustria		 Vulnerable Quercus spp.
Pale brindled
Phigalia pilosaria		 Vulnerable Alnus glutinosa, Betula pubescens, Populus spp., Quercus spp.
Silver studded blue
Plebejus argus		 Vulnerable Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix
Early moth
Theria primaria		 Vulnerable Quercus spp.
Pale eggar
Trichiura crataegi		 Vulnerable Betula spp., Calluna vulgaris, Populus spp., Quercus spp.
Oak hook-tip
Watsonalla binaria		 Vulnerable Quercus petraea
No common name
Zeugophora turneri		 Vulnerable Populus tremula
Flounced chestnut
Agrochola helvola		 Near Threatened Betula spp., Calluna vulgaris, Quercus spp.
Purple emperor
Apatura iris		 Near Threatened Populus tremula
Garden tiger
Arctia caja		 Near Threatened Pinus sylvestris
Minor shoulder-knot
Brachylomia viminalis		 Near Threatened Populus tremula
The sallow
Cirrhia icteritia		 Near Threatened Populus spp.
Rosy marsh moth
Coenophila subrosea		 Near Threatened Andromeda polifolia, Eriophorum spp., Myrica gale
Dingy mocha
Cyclophora pendularia		 Near Threatened Alnus glutinosa
Pine-tree lappet
Dendrolimus pini		 Near Threatened Pinus sylvestris
Grey scalloped
Dyscia fagaria		 Near Threatened Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix
Kentish glory
Endromis versicolora		 Near Threatened Alnus glutinosa, Betula pubescens
Large thorn
Ennomos autumnaria		 Near Threatened Alnus glutinosa, Betula spp., Populus spp., Quercus spp.
September thorn
Ennomos erosaria		 Near Threatened Betula spp., Quercus spp.
Autumnal rustic
Eugnorisma glareosa		 Near Threatened Betula spp., Calluna vulgaris
Grey pug
Eupithecia subfuscata		 Near Threatened Populus tremula
Double dart
Graphiphora augur		 Near Threatened Betula spp., Quercus spp.
Weaver's wave
Idaea contiguaria		 Near Threatened Calluna vulgaris
Clay fan-foot
Paracolax tristalis		 Near Threatened Quercus spp.
Frosted green
Polyploca ridens		 Near Threatened Quercus petraea
White prominent
Leucodonta bicoloria		 Regionally Extinct Betula spp.

Host-plant data: Cook et al. (2025), Traits data for the butterflies and macro-moths of Great Britain and Ireland, 2024, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology / Butterfly Conservation; and Padovani et al. (2020), Database of Insects and their Food Plants (DBIF), UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (both Open Government Licence). Contains data supplied by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.

Plant communities

M15 — Blanket bog, Raised bog, Upland wet heath

Scirpus cespitosus-Erica tetralix wet heath

Matches 7 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Myrica gale, Sphagnum compactum, Trichophorum cespitosum

Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Myrica gale, Vaccinium myrtillus, Carex binervis, Carex demissa, Carex dioica, Carex echinata, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Carex pilulifera, Carex pulicaris, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Schoenus nigricans, Trichophorum cespitosum, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus articulatus, Juncus bulbosus, Juncus conglomeratus, Juncus effusus, Juncus squarrosus, Luzula multiflora, Huperzia selago, Selaginella selaginoides, Aulacomnium palustre, Breutelia chrysocoma, Pohlia nutans, Campylopus atrovirens, Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranum scoparium, Leucobryum glaucum, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Hypnum jutlandicum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Scorpidium revolvens, Scorpidium scorpioides, Polytrichum commune, Sphagnum auriculatum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum compactum, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum subnitens, Sphagnum tenellum, Calypogeia fissa, Calypogeia muelleriana, Diplophyllum albicans, Lophozia ventricosa, Ordontoschisma sphagni, Pleurozia purpurea, Aneura pinguis, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia chlorophaea, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia uncialis, Succisa pratensis, Drosera anglica, Drosera rotundifolia, Hypericum pulchrum, Triglochin palustre, Pinguicula vulgaris, Menyanthes trifoliata, Narthecium ossifragum, Dactylorhiza maculata, Euphrasia officinalis, Pedicularis palustris, Pedicularis sylvatica, Polygala serpyllifolia, Trientalis europaea, Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Viola palustris, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Festuca vivipara, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Blechnum spicant, Pteridium aquilinum

M18 — Blanket bog, Raised bog

Erica tetralix-Sphagnum papillosum raised and blanket mire

Matches 7 species from the description above: Andromeda polifolia, Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Myrica gale, Trichophorum cespitosum

Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Myrica gale, Andromeda polifolia, Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium oxycoccos, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Rhynchospora alba, Trichophorum cespitosum, Juncus squarrosus, Aulacomnium palustre, Pohlia nutans, Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranum scoparium, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Hypnum jutlandicum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum strictum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum cuspidatum, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum fuscum, Sphagnum magellanicum, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum pulchrum, Sphagnum subnitens, Sphagnum tenellum, Calypogeia muelleriana, Cephalozia bicuspidata, Cephalozia connivens, Cladopodiella fluitans, Kurzia pauciflora, Lophozia ventricosa, Mylia anomala, Ordontoschisma sphagni, Hypogymnia physodes, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia gracilis, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia uncialis, Drosera anglica, Drosera rotundifolia, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Narthecium ossifragum, Rubus chamaemorus, Deschampsia flexuosa, Molinia caerulea

M2 — Blanket bog, Raised bog, Valley mire

Sphagnum cuspidatum/recurvum bog pool community

Matches 7 species from the description above: Andromeda polifolia, Calluna vulgaris, Drosera intermedia, Erica tetralix, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Myrica gale

Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Myrica gale, Andromeda polifolia, Vaccinium oxycoccos, Carex canescens, Carex magellanica, Carex rostrata, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Rhynchospora alba, Aulacomnium palustre, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum strictum, Sphagnum cuspidatum, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum magellanicum, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum pulchrum, Sphagnum tenellum, Cephalozia connivens, Cephalozia lunulifolia, Gymnocolea inflata, Mylia anomala, Ordontoschisma sphagni, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia uncialis, Drosera anglica, Drosera intermedia, Drosera rotundifolia, Menyanthes trifoliata, Narthecium ossifragum, Agrostis canina, Deschampsia flexuosa, Molinia caerulea

M17 — Blanket bog

Scirpus cespitosus-Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire

Matches 6 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Myrica gale, Trichophorum cespitosum

Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Myrica gale, Vaccinium myrtillus, Carex demissa, Carex echinata, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Rhynchospora alba, Schoenus nigricans, Trichophorum cespitosum, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus squarrosus, Luzula multiflora, Huperzia selago, Aulacomnium palustre, Breutelia chrysocoma, Pohlia nutans, Campylopus atrovirens, Campylopus flexuosus, Campylopus setifolius, Campylopus shawii, Dicranum scoparium, Leucobryum glaucum, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Hypnum jutlandicum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum strictum, Sphagnum auriculatum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum cuspidatum, Sphagnum imbricatum, Sphagnum magellanicum, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum strictum, Sphagnum subnitens, Sphagnum tenellum, Calypogeia fissa, Diplophyllum albicans, Kurzia pauciflora, Lophozia ventricosa, Mylia anomala, Mylia taylorii, Ordontoschisma sphagni, Pleurozia purpurea, Ptilidium ciliare, Scapania gracilis, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia uncialis, Cornicularia aculeata, Drosera anglica, Drosera rotundifolia, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Pinguicula vulgaris, Narthecium ossifragum, Pedicularis sylvatica, Polygala serpyllifolia, Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Agrostis canina, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta

M19 — Blanket bog, Raised bog

Calluna vulgaris-Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire

Matches 6 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Sphagnum compactum, Trichophorum cespitosum

Empetrum nigrum, Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Betula nana, Arctostaphylos alpinus, Vaccinium microcarpum, Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium oxycoccos, Vaccinium uliginosum, Carex bigelowii, Carex binervis, Carex nigra, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Trichophorum cespitosum, Juncus squarrosus, Luzula sylvatica, Huperzia selago, Aulacomnium palustre, Pohlia nutans, Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranum fuscescens, Dicranum majus, Dicranum scoparium, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Hypnum jutlandicum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum strictum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum compactum, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum fuscum, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum russowii, Sphagnum subnitens, Sphagnum tenellum, Barbilophozia floerkei, Calypogeia fissa, Calypogeia muelleriana, Calypogeia trichomanis, Cephalozia bicuspidata, Diplophyllum albicans, Kurzia pauciflora, Lophozia ventricosa, Mylia anomala, Mylia taylorii, Ordontoschisma sphagni, Ptilidium ciliare, Hypogymnia physodes, Cetraria islandica, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia bellidiflora, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia floerkeana, Cladonia gracilis, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia squamosa, Cladonia tenuis, Cladonia uncialis, Cornicularia aculeata, Cornus suecica, Drosera rotundifolia, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Pinguicula vulgaris, Narthecium ossifragum, Neottia cordata, Potentilla erecta, Rubus chamaemorus, Galium saxatile, Melanpyrum pratense, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca vivipara, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Blechnum spicant

M1 — Blanket bog, Raised bog

Sphagnum auriculatum bog pool community

Matches 5 species from the description above: Drosera intermedia, Erica tetralix, Eriophorum angustifolium, Myrica gale, Trichophorum cespitosum

Erica tetralix, Myrica gale, Carex limosa, Eriophorum angustifolium, Rhynchospora alba, Rhynchospora fusca, Trichophorum cespitosum, Eleocharis multicaulis, Juncus bulbosus, Sphagnum auriculatum, Sphagnum cuspidatum, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum magellanicum, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum pulchrum, Sphagnum subnitens, Cladopodiella fluitans, Gymnocolea inflata, Ordontoschisma sphagni, Drosera anglica, Drosera intermedia, Drosera rotundifolia, Utricularia intermedia, Utricularia minor, Menyanthes trifoliata, Narthecium ossifragum, Potamogeton polygonifolius, Scheuchzeria palustris, Molinia caerulea

M20 — Blanket bog, Raised bog, Valley mire

Eriophorum vaginatum blanket and raised mire

Matches 4 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Trichophorum cespitosum

Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Vaccinium myrtillus, Carex bigelowii, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Trichophorum cespitosum, Juncus squarrosus, Orthodontium lineare, Pohlia nutans, Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranum scoparium, Drepanocladus fluitans, Hypnum jutlandicum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Polytrichum commune, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum fuscum, Sphagnum papillosum, Barbilophozia floerkei, Calypogeia muelleriana, Calypogeia trichomanis, Cephalozia bicuspidata, Cephaloziella hampeana, Diplophyllum albicans, Gymnocolea inflata, Kurzia pauciflora, Lophozia ventricosa, Mylia taylorii, Ptilidium ciliare, Cetraria islandica, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia chlorophaea, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia floerkeana, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia squamosa, Cladonia uncialis, Cornicularia aculeata, Rubus chamaemorus, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina

M25 — Blanket bog, Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Lowland fen, Purple moor grass and rush pasture, Upland acid grassland

Molinia caerulea-Potentilla erecta mire

Matches 4 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Eriophorum angustifolium, Myrica gale

Salix cinerea, Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Myrica gale, Vaccinium oxycoccos, Ulex europaeus, Ulex gallii, Carex echinata, Carex flacca, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Eriophorum angustifolium, Schoenus nigricans, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus articulatus, Juncus effusus, Juncus subnodulosus, Luzula campestris, Luzula multiflora, Aulacomnium palustre, Pohlia nutans, Calliergon giganteum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Hypnum jutlandicum, Kindbergia praelonga, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Polytrichum commune, Sphagnum auriculatum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum subnitens, Calypogeia fissa, Cephalozia bicuspidata, Lophocolea bidentata, Lophozia ventricosa, Angelica sylvestris, Carum verticillatum, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Achillea ptarmica, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium palustre, Eupatorium cannabinum, Pulicaria dysenterica, Serratula tinctoria, Cardamine pratensis, Lobelia urens, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana officinalis, Equisetum palustre, Lotus pedunculatus, Hypericum pulchrum, Hypericum tetrapterum, Mentha aquatica, Scutellaria minor, Menyanthes trifoliata, Narthecium ossifragum, Epilobium palustre, Dactylorhiza maculata, Rumex acetosa, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus flammula, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla erecta, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium palustre, Viola palustris, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis curtisii, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Phragmites australis, Dryopteris carthusiana, Osmunda regalis

M3 — Blanket bog, Raised bog

Eriophorum angustifolium bog pool community

Matches 3 species from the description above: Erica tetralix, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum

Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Erica tetralix, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Campylopus brevipilus, Drepanocladus fluitans, Polytrichum commune, Sphagnum cuspidatum, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum papillosum, Gymnocolea inflata, Ordontoschisma sphagni, Drosera rotundifolia, Agrostis canina, Molinia caerulea