Muckle Moss

Muckle Moss

Site of Special Scientific Interest
Location within Northumberland
Location	Northumberland
Grid reference	NY799668
Coordinates	54.995370°N 2.3157048°W / 54.995370; -2.3157048
Area	368.2 acres (1.490 km^2; 0.5753 sq mi)
Notification	1984

Muckle Moss is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)^[1][2] and a National Nature Reserve^[3] located near Bardon Mill in Northumberland, England. Muckle Moss is a mire over deep peat, and its boundaries include Blackdyke Plantation.

Muckle Moss SSSI was previously notified as part of Roman Wall SSSI.^[1]

Details

The central area of the protected area is dominated by the mosses Sphagnum magellanicum, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum recurvum and Sphagnum cuspidatum. Rare moss species recorded here include Sphagum riparium, Sphagnum balticum and Sphagnum dusenii. Heather and cross-leaved heath are present on ridges.^[1]

Insect species recorded at this protected area include large heath butterfly and green hairstreek butterfly.^[1]

This peatland previously supported a plantation and the peatland was historically modified by draining.^[4]

Land ownership

Muckle Moss SSSI is situated within the Crow Hall Farm estate.^[5]

References

1. "SSSI detail". designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk. Retrieved 2024-11-22.
2. "Protected Planet | Muckle Moss". Protected Planet. Retrieved 2024-11-22.
3. "Designated Sites View". designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk. Retrieved 2024-11-22.
4. Pearson, M. C. (1960). "Muckle Moss, Northumberland: I. Historical". Journal of Ecology. 48 (3): 647–666. doi:10.2307/2257340. ISSN 0022-0477.
5. Robinson, Abi (2023-08-18). "Northumberland livestock farm with significant natural capital comes to market". GSC Grays. Retrieved 2024-11-22.