Abbots Moss

Abbots Moss comprises part of the SSSI that encompasses a complex of basin mires surrounded by associated wet and dry heathland. The mires support several species of sphagnum moss, sundew, cotton grass and cranberry.

Location
The reserve lies within Delamere Forest to the east of the A49 and to the south of the Whitegate Way, comprising two bogs Shemmy Moss and South Moss. The reserve occupies 12 acres (4.8ha), 3 acres (1.2ha) of which is heathland.

Access
Due to the treacherous and delicate nature of the habitat access is restricted. Permits are required, obtainable from Cheshire Wildlife Trust; these are only issued to people undertaking bonafide research projects. Visits by groups of Trust members and others can be arranged, to be led by experienced guides. Otherwise the moss can be viewed from the forest track.

Status
The site is leased from the Forestry Commission and forms part of the Abbots Moss and Newchurch Common SSSI.

Topography
It is assumed that the bog basins were formed after the last glaciation, initially forming two shallow lakes which developed into a 'schwingmmor' or floating bog. Pollen analysis of the deepest peat layers from borings indicate a starting date approximately 7000 BC.

Vegetation
The surrounding land mainly features coniferous woodland for a considerable period prior to 1946. After 1946 this was felled and replanted with Scots pine and Corsican pine in 1961.
The reserve comprises a large area of acid bog with a smaller area of dry heath. Various transitional habitats are also present.
The bogs are in an advanced state of 'Schwingmoor' development and have a maximum known depth of some 7 metres. A Schwingmoor being a floating peat bog fromed by the colonisation of open water by vegetation spreading over the surface from the edges.
At Abbots Moss the vegetation cover is almost complete, with only a few surface pools. The floating carpet of vegetation is dominated by Spagnum Mosses which create the main mass and support other species e.g. cotton grass Eriophorum angustifolium, bog rosemary Andromeda polifolia, harestail cotton grass E. vaginatum, cranberry Vaccinium oxycoccus, sundew Drosera rotundifolia, crossleaved heath Erica tetralix and crowberry Empetrum nigrum. There is some colonisation by Scots pine and birch but these only manage to grow a few feet before they are killed by waterlogging of the roots. The pools contain lesser bladderwort Utricularia minor and Sphagnum papillosum. On South Moss there is an area showing signs of nutrient enrichment, perhaps from a spring, indicated by soft rush Juncus effusus, and Reedmace Typha latifolia. The heath area, lying between the two bogs, has been partly invaded by birch and pine though it still retains a fair quantity of ling Calluna vulgaris. It supports a number of birds and invertebrates, and together with the transitional areas between heath and bog and pine forest, provides a valuable feature of the reserve.

Fauna
The bogs are fairly rich in spiders, some 148 species being recorded, along with 8 species of harvestmen. The green hairstreak butterfly can frequently be seen here and also the rare white-faced darter dragonfly. Woodcock, tree pipit and redstart are found here, whilst crossbills and sparrowhawks are occasionally seen.