BBC Wildlife - UK 2020-07)

Clockwise from top left: Mark Hamblin/2020VISION/NPL; Wil Leurs/Alamy; Pearl Bucknall/Alamy; Mart

nS

epmann/Getty;

Peter

Entw

ste/FLPA;

Tom

Lang

ands/A

amy

Clockwise from top left:

peat bogs at dawn at

RSPB Forsinard Flows

in Scotland; a colourful

common hawker;

sphagnum bog moss

in Wales; the purple

blooms of common

butterwort; despite its

name, the large heath

butterfly can be found

in bog habitats; eye-

catching bog asphodel.

July 2020 BBC Wildlife 19

WILD JULY

is reminiscent of M C Escher’s repeated-

pattern prints.

The acidic, nutrient-poor conditions

mean biodiversity is relatively low, yet

this belies the habitat’s considerable

wildlife interest. Blanket bogs provide

hugely important breeding grounds

for a number of wading birds, such as

golden plover and greenshank, as well

as red-throated diver. Additionally, for

those with a penchant for insectivorous

plants, bogs are undoubtedly the national

headquarters for this specialised group:

sundews, butterworts and bladderworts

all thrive here. There are fascinating

insects, too – from common and azure

hawker dragonflies patrolling the pools,

to the large heath butterfly, which prefers

the swards of cotton-grass.