Kirkconnell Flow National Nature Reserve
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Kirkconnell Flow National Nature Reserve represents one of the most threatened habitats in the world. The sodden surface of the bog is a palette of green, purple and red shades of Sphagnum mosses and wet-loving plants, giving a sense of a remote wilderness among the busy surrounding fields. Colourful butterflies flit over the moss, whilst adders and lizards bask in the sunlight. This huge expanse of peat is still being restored to ensure the special animals and plants dependant on raised bog can thrive here.

Notable animal species: Adder, Large Heath Butterfly, Bilberry Pug Moth, Procas granilicollis (weevil), Hen Harrier, Nightjar.

Notable Plant Species: Austins’s Bog-moss, Golden Bog Moss, Round-leaved Sundew, Cross-leaved Heath, Ling, Hare’s-tail Cottongrass, Crowberry, Cranberry, Bog Rosemary.

Best in: In spring watch out for telltale movements in the grass and heather that signals an Adder or Common Lizard, or see them basking in the sunlight in the early morning. However summer is probably the best time to visit, Common Cotton Grass creates a sea of white across the bog spotted with the delicate bell-shaped pink flowers of the Bog Rosemary. Butterflies like the colourful Peacock and Green Hairstreak flutter in sunny sheltered glades, and colourful dragonflies and damselflies fly low over bog pools. Also keep an eye (and ear) out for Nightjar which may be making their way back to Kirkconnell Flow after a long absence.

Location:

Kirkconnell Flow NNR is 4 km south of Dumfries, near the mouth of the river Nith on the A710.
Post Code: DG2 8HE
Latitude: 55.013561°
Longitude: -3.623145°

How to get there:

By road: To reach the Reserve, take the A710 New Abbey road out of Dumfries. Passing the entrance to Mabie Forest which lies on a sharp left hand bend, take the next turning left between two white pillars. This is Kirkconnell Avenue. The Reserve entrance is 200 m on the left.

By public transport: The nearest bus stop is at Kirkconnell Avenue road end (200m from the entrance) on the Dumfries - New Abbey route. The nearest station is in Dumfries (5 miles) on the Kilmarnock - Carlisle line

By bike: The Milton to Annan section of NCN Route 7 (Glasgow - Carlisle) passes through Dumfries. Turn off the route at the intersection with the A710 New Abbey Road and follow this past the turn off to Mabie Forest, taking the next turning left between two white pillars. This is Kirkconnell Avenue. The Reserve entrance is 200 m on the left.