Description:

Cors Bodrog has been selected for its biological interest as an example of mesotrophic mire. This site lies in an alluvium filled basin overlying mica schists, metamorphic rocks of the mora complex.

Purple moor-grass Molinia caerulea mire is the principal vegetation type within Cors Bodwrog: typical associates of which include cross-leaved heath Erica tetralix, bog asphodel Nartheciun ossifragurm, tormentil Potentilla erecta and bog-myrtle Myrica gale. In places, particularly the edge of the site this community grades into fen meadow dominated by Yorkshire-fog Holcus lanatus, creeping bent Agrostis stolonifera and rush species Juncus spp. Black bog-rush Schoenus nigricans, occurs as scattered clumps within the Molinia mire and as a local dominant within the less acidic communities present. Blunt-flowered rush Juncus subnodulosus and great fen-sedge Cladium mariscus, further indicators of local base enrichment, have been recorded. The old peat cuttings ditchlines and wet hollows support the main stands of mesotrophic vegetation variously dominated by bottle sedge Carex rostrata, slender sedge Carex lasiocarpa, common cottongrass Eriophortm angustifolium, marsh cinquefoil Potentilla palustris, bogbean Menyanthes trifoliata, greater tussock-sedge Carex paniculata and the nationally scarce lesser tussock-sedge Carex diandra. The moss cover is variable within this community and includes Calliergon giganteum and the bog mosses Sphagnum subniters and Sphagnum contortum. A number of uncommon plants are recorded including greater spearwort Ranunculus lingua and lesser bulrush Typha angustifolia.

Common reed Phragmites australis and reed canary-grass Phalaris arundinacea are scattered through the site and form single species stands. Areas of willow Salix spp, alder Alnus glutinosa and gorse Ulex europaeus scrub are also widespread. Eight species of Odonata have been recorded including the nationally scarce variable damselfly Coenagrion pulchellum and the scarce blue-tailed damselfly Ischnura pumilio. The breeding bird community which is of local importance includes teal, reed warbler, grasshopper warbler and curlew.