Henry Martin, Angus Hogg, SWT
Dalmellington Moss is a Scottish
Wildlife Trust reserve comprising 28ha of raised bog lying to the west of the main A713
Ayr-Castle Douglas road about 1km on the Ayr side of Dalmellington. There is a long tradition
of public access but there are no formal pathways and the best birding is by scanning the Moss
from the small SWT car park (NS 466 065) 50m up the access road to the Chalmerston open cast
mine. A regular bus service Ayr-Dalmellington passes this entrance. 
Only rough tracks around the Moss.
The A713 needs care.
This is the only raised bog in the area with intact vegetation and one of the few examples of flood plain raised bog. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Among the birds possibly to be seen or heard are Whooper Swan, Hen Harrier, Snipe, Curlew, Whinchat, Grasshopper and Sedge Warbler, Willow Tit and Reed Bunting.
More information is available on the Scottish Wildlife Trust's web site.
Last updated: January 2003
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