Cardowan Moss

Cardowan Moss

 

Cardowan Moss is situated to the east of Hogganfield Park Local Nature Reserve, between Garthamlock and Stepps.

Status - City Wide SINC, Local Nature Reserve

Grid Reference NS 661674

Description


This 45 hectare site consists of a remnant raised bog bordered by wetland habitats, grassland, with establishing plantation woodland and areas of existing woodland/scrub. Cardowan drain runs through the site flowing west to east, supporting a population of the nationally declining water vole. Skylarks, wheatears and meadow pipits are among the many animals found on the raised bog. Both common frogs and common toads breed in the small areas of open water while the willow scrub provides habitat for reed buntings and other small birds. This diversity of wildlife and habitats present has led to this site becoming a Local Nature Reserve. There is plenty of scope to explore this site, as there is an extensive network of paths.

Habitat Types

  • Raised Bog
    A relic area of raised bog forms the main component of the SINC. The surface is quite dry due to past drainage and is dominated by purple moor-grass, with areas of heather. Wetter areas of the bog also include a range of bog-mosses, cotton-grasses, crossed-leaved heath, round-leaved sundew and blaeberry.

  • Wetlands
    The wetlands provide a mosaic of habitat from marshy grassland to open water.  Sneezewort, marsh woundwort and other attractive wetland plants add colour to the marshy areas, which are dominated by soft rush and bottle sedge.

  • Watercourse
    Cardowan Drain is managed to provide habitat for water voles. The banks support soft rush, branched bur-reed and the occasional wild angelica, which provides food and cover for the water voles and other small mammals.

  • Woodland
    Native broad-leaved woodland has been planted near existing scrub and is establishing well. This provides cover for roe deer and nesting sites for woodland birds. Grassland has been retained at path edges and glades are present in the woodland to provide sunny areas suitable for invertebrates such as peacock butterflies. The woodland is being managed for wildlife and aims to provide a variety of different habitats.

  • Grassland
    Areas of marshy grassland occur near the wetlands and neutral grassland occurs to the east of the site, adjacent to the former railway crossing the raised bog. The neutral grassland supports species such as common toadflax and common knapweed. There is a small area to the south with acid grassland species including wavy hair-grass and mat grass.

Animal Life

Snipe Meadow Pipit Small Copper
Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) numbers have declined due to the drainage of wet grasslands. They use their large bill to probe for invertebrates. The marsh at Cardowan Moss supports a number of snipe during winter and passage periods. Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis) commonly breeds in meadows, bogs and heaths. It feeds on insects among the ground vegetation.



 Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) lay their eggs on their caterpillar foodplants common sorrel, sheep's sorrel and docks.





Water Vole Roe Deer Toad
Water Vole (Arvicola terrestris) numbers have declined nationally in recent years, but a healthy population is supported at Cardowan Moss Woodland.




 Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) use the developing woodland and scrub for cover and resting up at night. They feed on the areas of grassland.




 Common Toad (Bufo bufo) use the areas of open water for breeding in Spring. They are distinguished from common frog by their drier, rougher skin and blunt nose. Toads also tend to crawl or walk compared to the faster jumping movement of the frog.

Plant Life

Heather Marsh Marigold Northern Marsh Orchid
Heather (Calluna vulgaris) grows on the deep peats of relic raised bogs. Individual plants live for about 25-30 years unless managed by grazing or cutting. Marsh-marigold (Catha palustris) is a common plant of wet areas, with a bright yellow flower. It is found growing along the Cardowan Drain and in the wetland. Northern-marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza purpurella) is bright purple in colour. At Cardowan Moss it can be found at the eastern edge of the bog.