Portmoak Moss
Portmoak Moss is a Dragonfly Hotspot, established in 2014. It is owned by the Woodland Trust and has recently undergone peatland restoration work which will hopefully improve the habitat for Dragonflies in the future.
Opening times, entry costs, facilities and directions
Things to see
Portmoak Moss is one of the few surviving raised bogs (areas of deep, wet peat) in central Scotland. Since 2002, a habitat restoration project has been underway to restore the core of the peat dome to a functional raised bog by removing tree cover and damming ditches across 12ha of the site. Sphagnum species are now showing a strong recovery. Dragonflies breed in the blocked drainage runnels and hunt across the heather moorland of the Moss.
Top species
A moorland specialist.
Flight period is June to November.
Large with paired spots down the body.
Image by Dave Smallshire
Seasonal Highlights
The best time to see the greatest number of dragonflies is on a sunny day throughout July and August, but early-emerging damselflies can be spotted from late April onwards. The Common Hawkers can be seen mating and then ovipositing in the drainage runnels throughout August.
Contact Information
Woodland Trust ScotlandSouth Inch Business Centre
Perth
Perthshire
PH2 8BW
T: 0173 863 5544
Species Information
Click on the species image for further information, such as flight times and identification.