Sightings/Visits
The Cumbrian Wildlife Trust actively manages Foulshaw Moss, a precious peat bog, to support wildlife. Positioned at the foot of the South Lake District between Levens and Grange-over-sands, the reserve provides visitors with the chance to observe nesting ospreys and a variety of flora and fauna, including large numbers of damsel and dragonflies like the rare white-faced darter.
Birds
Foulshaw Moss offers a diverse array of bird species, in addition to the Ospreys. These include Stonechat, Cuckoo, Buzzard, Chiffchaff, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Moorhen, Water Rail, Hobby, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine Falcon, Tree Pipit, Teal, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Brambling, Redpoll, Tree Sparrow, Snipe, and Reed Bunting. Moreover, there are two feeding stations where you can spot most of the British finch species, such as Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Siskin, and, with luck, Bullfinch or Brambling.
Mammals
Red Deer
Moths, Butterflies and other Insects
Green Hairstreak, Common Hawker, Blue-Tailed Damselfly, Broad-Bodied Chaser, Emerald Damselfly, Common Darter, Large Heath, Argent and Sable
Reptiles and Amphibians
The reserve is bustling with common lizards. During warm days, you’ll often find these cold-blooded reptiles basking in the sun by the dozen. Whenever my family visits the reserve, we make it a point to see how many we can spot. Our highest count so far has been 147 during one circuit of the boardwalk. Additionally, you can encounter adders, slow worms, and common toads at the reserve.
Flora
Alder Buckthorn, Creeping Jenny, Cross-leaved Heath, Sphagnum Moss, Round-leaved sundew, Common cotton-grass