Danes Moss Nature Reserve

Danes Moss Nature Reserve lies south of Macclesfield in Cheshire, covering 13.4 hectares of lowland raised bog. The site is managed by the Cheshire Wildlife Trust and holds Site of Special Scientific Interest status. Raised bogs like this are rare in lowland England, with peat layers reaching up to five metres deep. Seven types of Sphagnum moss grow here alongside locally uncommon plants. Round-leaved sundew and marsh cinquefoil are among the species found in the wet conditions. The reserve supports a variety of specialised wildlife. Eleven species of dragonflies and damselflies have been recorded, including Britain’s smallest dragonfly, the black darter. The four-spotted chaser also appears here during the summer months. Nineteen butterfly species fly over the bog, such as the green hairstreak. These insects depend on the open wetland and healthy peat layers. Visitors walk along boardwalks that cross the bog to protect the fragile surface. The paths allow close views of the mosses and insect activity without disturbance. Views stretch across the expanse of peatland and surrounding farmland. The reserve offers a quiet place to observe rare plants and flying insects in their natural setting.