RSPB Campfield Marsh

Campfield Marsh is found on the shores of one of the UK’s largest estuaries – the Solway Firth. A rich patchwork of habitats – saltmarsh, peatbogs, farmland and wet grassland – make up this wonderful wetland reserve. The site provides homes for an array of wildlife, including a variety of dragonflies in spring and summer. The site is open year round and free to access.

Campfield Marsh is launching as a Dragonfly Hotspot in 2025, in recognition of the nationally important wetland landscape and the opportunities for watching dragonflies. Keep an eye on our events page for details of the launch event in July.

Opening times, entry costs, facilities and directions

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The reserve is open 24hrs a day.

Site information

Campfield Marsh is an excellent regional site for Odonata and, due to the wide variety of habitats, has good numbers of nationally declining species. The large pond and avenue near the visitor centre have proved to be good for Emperor Dragonfly and Migrant Hawkers, recent arrivals in North Cumbria. The peatbog habitat is naturally the place to encounter the Common Hawker, Black Darter and Emerald Damselfly.

The reserve has signposted trails, including a 2.5 mile (4 km) loop which goes over the wide open landscape of the peatbog on a boardwalk which provides excellent dragonfly spotting opportunities.

Three hides and several viewing screens provide spectacular views across the varied habitats of the reserve.

The site has a car park, toilets and a visitor centre.

Get involved

Are you interested in volunteering at the reserve? There are regular work parties every Thursday morning where volunteers get stuck into a variety of tasks from clearing pools to planting seeds, to manage and improve habitat specifically for dragonflies. There will also be opportunities to get involved in dragonfly monitoring, which will include counting exuviae and surveying for adults.

To find out more about volunteering contact the team on:

Image: Black Darter by Iain Leach.