Cumbria Wildlife Trust has safeguarded the long-term future of a wildlife haven at Orton Moss, near Carlisle. The purchase of the additional piece of land at Orton Moss has increased the Trust's stake in this SSSI and will help the preservation of this important mossland and all its associated flora and fauna.

This new parcel of land is mainly wet birch woodland with small pockets of open areas, where cotton grass can be found. Trees run along an old boundary track and footpath, and keen eyes will be able to spot red squirrels, as well as roe deer and a range of woodland birds.

The moss was originally a valley mire or peat bog. However, owing to historic drainage and peat extraction, the site is now important for its well-established range of semi-natural communities; it is predominantly woodland, which is great for the red squirrel, but areas of species-rich grassland as well as remnants of fen, bog and heath all add to the variety of this landscape.

Morag Angus, Northern Reserves Officer, said, 'This is a fantastic acquisition for Cumbria Wildlife Trust, ensuring another parcel of this very important mossland can be managed in the interests of wildlife. When you walk along the footpath, which used to be an old track way, it is like going back in time. It is a very quiet tranquil area and, if you like tromping through wet woodland, it is a shear delight. Red squirrels are often seen, woodland birds sing overhead and roe deer can be seen sprinting off when disturbed.'