Action Plan: Blanket Bog

Blanket bog is a globally restricted peatland habitat confined to cool, wet climates. It is, however, one of the most extensive semi-natural habitats in the UK and ranges from Devon in the south to Shetland in the north. Although most widespread in the wetter west and north, blanket bog also occurs in eastern upland areas. The very slow rate of plant material decomposition under wet conditions allows the accumulation of blanket bog peat.

Blanket bog is of particular importance as nesting habitat for dunlin and golden plover. It is also an important element of the habitat of a range of other upland birds, particularly merlin, hen harrier and short eared owl. The immature flowers of cottongrass on blanket bogs are an important food source for hen black grouse when they are attaining suitable condition for egg laying in early spring.

Over 70% of known English colonies of the large heath butterfly occur on blanket and raised bogs in Northumberland, the larvae feeding on hare’s tail cotton grass and the adults on the nectar of cross-leaved heath. Blanket bogs in Northumberland support several rare and scarce species such as bog-rosemary, bog-sedge, great sundew and bog bilberry.