Highfield Moss, Lowton

A little known site in the north west is Highfield Moss at Lowton, just behind the Travellers Rest pub, and frustratingly 200 yards outside St Helens! It's only a small site, but has some excellent mosssland, with the star attraction being the nationally scarce Marsh Gentian, of which I found about 35 flower heads. In previous years I have counted up to 115, but it seems to be declining at the site.
But it's not just about gentians, and there are lots of other interesting plants, such as the fly eating Round-leaved Sundew, Western Gorse, Goldenrod, Devil's-bit Scabious, Cross-leaved Heath and lots more, as well as a couple of nice looking dragonfly pools.

Marsh Gentian (left) and Round-leaved Sundew (right).

Emerald Damselfly. A largish damselfly, which tends to sit with it's wings spread rather than along the body, which accounts for it's other name, Common Spreadwing. Notice also its eyes, which are seperated, unlike most dragonflies where the eyes touch.

A gem of a site! On the right, Goldenrod.

Western Gorse (left), flowers between July and October. All of the commoner gorse was in seed and is a much bigger plant. This was the only plant in flower, and it was in full flower! On the right is Cross-leaved Heath.