Nature Trail - Board 14

From here you can look out across the Moss Wood Nature Reserve. Make sure to keep quiet to avoid disturbing the wildlife! There are all kinds of creatures you can see around here. Some of them call Moss Wood home, while others are just passing through.

Cormorant

The cormorant is a large, dark waterbird with a long neck and a hooked beak. Look for them perched on rocks or branches with wings outstretched, drying their feathers after a dive. These skilled fishers are often seen in coastal areas like Morecambe Bay, but also frequent inland rivers and lakes across Lancashire, and they can often be seen around the ponds here at Moss Wood.

• Impressive Hunter: Cormorants dive deep to catch fish, a sight to behold!
• Changing Views: Once disliked for their impact on fish stocks, cormorants are now better understood as part of the natural ecosystem.
• Look and Listen: Spot their glossy black plumage and listen for their distinctive grunting calls.

Natterjack Toad

The Natterjack Toad is a rare and special resident of Lancashire’s coastal sand dunes and inland waters. This small toad has a distinctive yellow stripe down its back and prefers the shallow, warm pools of its habitat for breeding. Listen for the male’s loud, nighttime calls during the spring. Sadly, Natterjack Toads are endangered due to habitat loss. Conservation efforts in areas around Lancashire are helping protect this unique amphibian and the delicate ecosystems it calls home. They are often spotted near the lakes at Moss Wood – so keep a close eye out and you might manage to find one of these warty, watery wonders!

Bulrush

Can you spot the tall stalks and fluffy brown “cigar” seed heads of Bulrushes (also called reedmace or Typha) around the ponds at Moss Wood? They are also found along Lancashire’s ponds, canals, and marshy areas. These wetland warriors offer more than scenic beauty:

• Wildlife Home: Insects buzz around the flowers, birds nest in the dense stems, and water creatures find shelter among their roots.
• Natural Filters: Bulrushes help clean water by absorbing pollutants.
• Sustainable Future: Researchers are exploring how the fluffy seed heads can be turned into insulating material for jackets – a warm and eco-friendly alternative!
• Lancashire Connection: Projects in Lancashire are exploring growing bulrushes on restored peatlands such as Winmarleigh and Cockerham Moss for a sustainable future.

Roe Deer

Keep your eyes peeled! The Roe Deer is Lancashire’s most common deer species. These shy, reddish-brown creatures are browsers, favouring the edges of woodlands, hedgerows, and meadows. You can often see them around the edge of Moss Wood – especially on this side of the park where there is a little more both woodland and open spaces for them to make use of.

Look for:

• A flash of white rump as they bound away.
• Males (bucks) with short, three-pointed antlers in spring and summer.
• Solitary animals in summer, forming small family groups in winter.

Roe deer are a vital part of Lancashire’s ecosystem. They help control plant growth and disperse seeds. Enjoy watching these graceful animals, but remember to keep your distance and be quiet so you don’t disturb them.