This pool is home to bog species such as sphagnum moss and cotton grass. Damsel and dragonflies dart over the water, completing their lifecycle and defending their territories. Birds and mammals also drink here, can you see any prints in the mud?
A native carnivorous plant, they catch small insects on the sticky substance produced on their end of their leaves. The nutrients gained from the insects helps them to thrive in nutrient-poor peat environments such as bogs.
Golden Bog-moss
This stunning moss forms golden carpets that you can observe in areas of deep wet peat such as the edges of this pond. On closer inspection the leaves on its branches are very neat looking.
Cows-horn bog-moss
A distinctive species of sphagnum moss, named for its curly branches. Peat forming mosses such as these are important for carbon sequestration.
Purple pitcher plant
You may be able to spot this giant non-native carnivorous plant. Native to North America, this plant traps insects in pools of water hidden inside its modified leaves.
Bog asphodel
Bog asphodel bring a brilliant splash of colour to our bogs. Their orange pollen is collected by the bees, which you might spot in their pollen sacs. After flowering, the seed heads turn orange, continuing their display.
Bog myrtle
The distinctive-smelling bog myrtle has been used to produce everything from beer to soap! Chemicals it produces have also been investigated for their weed-killing properties.
Small red damselfly pair
This scarce dragonfly is at home in the bog pond, identifiable by its red eyes, legs and spots on its wing.
Pair of silver studded blue butterflies
A male (blue) and female (brown) silver studded blue butterfly. They are perched on cross-leaved heath, one of the foodplants of their caterpillar stage.
Lesser willow-sawfly
These are the larvae of the lesser willow-sawfly, and are extremely efficient at defoliating willow trees as seen by their teamwork here! This can look destructive but the tree will recover, and can help control the growth of willows, allowing light into the pond - benefitting other species.