Rusland Moss National Nature Reserve is a 22 hectare reserve at the head of the Rusland Valley and is the northern part of one of the few remaining raised mires - or peat bogs - in the country.
Though it has suffered past damage from drainage and peat-cutting, the reserve retains peat forming vegetation and has some surrounding fen.
Sphagnum (bog) mosses dominate the uncut areas of the Moss, with purple moorgrass in the cut areas and fen and carr woodland at the edges. Past drainage has enabled trees and rhododendron to colonise the Moss and they are currently being removed from the mire expanse to allow the peat-forming vegetation to recover.
Rare invertebrates found at the site include the large heath butterfly and money spider.
Please note that there are no public rights of way across the reserve and tree stumps, flooded ditches and wet footpaths can make this site hazardous to visit.
