hare's-tail cottongrass "E. vaginatum". Bog mosses are more scarce, but "Sphagnum cuspidatum", "S. recurvum", "S. tenellum", "S. fimbriatum" and "S. subnitens" occur in patches. As the peat has become drier, areas have been taken over by purple moor grass "Molinia caerulea" and by downy birch "Betula pubescens". The moss also supports several bird species, and is particularly important for wintering raptors such as the hen harrier "Circus cyaneus cyaneus", the short-eared owl "Asio flammeus" and the merlin "Falco columbarius", along with breeding species such as the curlew "Numenius arquata" and the long-eared owl "Asio otus". There is a large heronry in Botany Bay Wood, the largest area of woodland in Greater Manchester.