Good Morning! We'll have two posts today from 2 different groups.
This morning it's from the Cumbria Lichen and Bryophyte group! (Scientific name for each image is captioned on each individual photo)
Cumbria Lichen and Bryophyte group had three well attended meetings in the first quarter of 2020 (Great Mell Fell, Low Wood, Tom Gill), before official activities were brought to a halt by coronavirus. While following government restrictions, some of us managed some small informal bryophyte outings: Holme Wood, Milkingstead Wood, Warnscale Bottom, Wounddale, Haweswater and Mardale Waters, Rainsbarrow Wood, Wallowbarrow Gorge, Johnny’s Wood. Overall, in bryophytes, we recorded about 250 species in VC 69 and 375 in VC70, including some uncommon species we were pleased to see, and one vice-county first (Plagiothecium cavifolium).
Most exciting finds: Anastrepta orcadensis, Anoectangium aestivum, Anthelia julacea, Bazzania tricrenata, Campylopus setifolius, Dicranum scottianum, Hageniella micans, Harpanthus scutatus, Herbertus aduncus, Hygrohypnum subeugyrium, Lepidozia pearsonii, Metzgeria leptoneura, Plagiothecium cavifolium.
Informal lichen-hunting visits were made to Holme Wood, (impressive Bryoria fuscescens colonies were found), and Grange Scar (Solorina saccata was amongst the limestone species recorded). Group members have been involved in the Lobaria pulmonaria translocations in Borrowdale and near Haweswater, as well as pursuing their own local recording. In total, 4,006 Cumbrian lichen records were added to the British Lichen Society database in 2020 by 11 recorders. Highlights included new sites for Pyrenula hibernica (“blackberries in custard”) in Borrowdale; the re-finding of Pectenia cyanoloma near Rosthwaite; and new records of the montane species Cetraria islandica and Ochrolechia frigida on the far eastern fells.
The group’s first AGM (held by Zoom) had 26 attendees: we look forward to a full program of trips once Covid regulations are eased.