On Monday 25th July 2022, Member of Parliament for Clwyd South, Simon Baynes MP, visited Fenn’s, Whixall & Bettisfield Mosses National Nature Reserve, which sits on the Wales/England border with the canal running through it.
Natural Resources Wales and Natural England have been restoring the bog since 1991 by preserving the past, conserving rare bog wildlife and safeguarding against future climate change.
During the visit, Mr Baynes met with Robert Duff (Project Manager – Marches Mosses BogLIFE Project) and Peter Bowyer (Senior Reserve Manager) to discuss the importance of the National Nature Reserve and the biodiversity at the reserve. The reserve has 21 species of bog moss, as well as other bog plants and invertebrates which are thriving, including the raft spider and 30 species of dragonfly and damselfly. There are over 700 different species of moth, 32 species of butterflies and, with the restoration of water levels, the birdlife of the mosses has also been changing with over 180 species recorded. Adders and lizards have continued to thrive too.
Mr Baynes praised the restoration work at Fenn’s, Whixall & Bettisfield Mosses and thanked the teams for their hard work in improving the reserve and ensuring biodiversity is able to thrive, particularly as a result of climate change. He was also very impressed by the imaginative way in which the Nature Reserve is encouraging people to visit, particularly with the viewing platform from which a full panorama of the reserve can be viewed.
Robert Duff said:
“It was a pleasure to welcome Mr Baynes to the nature reserve and to show him the work we are undertaking as part of the BogLIFE project to restore our hugely important peatland habitat.”
Simon Baynes MP said:
“It was great to visit the Fenn’s, Whixall & Bettisfield Mosses National Nature Reserve that sits on the border between Wales and England. It was interesting to learn about the history of the bogs and about the damage that had previously been caused by drainage for peat cutting, agriculture and forestry at the mosses. I was extremely impressed to find out about the restoration that has taken place since 1991 to ensure that different plants and wildlife are able to flourish and would like to thank everyone involved for their hard work in making this happen. I would strongly recommend visiting the Nature Reserve as it is a remarkable and fascinating place.”
