Spiky Sun-Bleached Palisade

 Fencepost of the Week #242

 

 

Forest Mix Post

 Fencepost of the Week #241

 

Lots of good things growing all mixed in with each other on this shady forest post.

Report on the Lichen, Flora and Vegetation of Lowland Areas of the Cowal Peninsula

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Report on the Lichen, Flora and Vegetation of Lowland Areas of the Cowal Peninsula
21-30 June 1977

by
F Rose & P W James


Nature Conservancy Council
August 1981


LC
581
ROS

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This report is an official document prepared under contract between the Nature Conservancy Council and the author. The views expressed are the author's and not necessarily those of the Nature Conservancy Council. The report should not be quoted without the permission of the author and NCC.

The Nature Conservancy Council is the government body which promotes nature conservation in Great Britain. It gives advice on nature conservation to government and all those whose activities affect our wildlife and wild places. It also selects, establishes and manages a series of National Nature Reserves. This work is based on detailed ecological research and survey. NCC's Great Britain Headquarters are at 19/20 Belgrave Square, London SWIX 8PY.

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Foreword

A survey of the lichen and bryophyte flora of this area was carried out by FR and PWJ with the assistance of Mr D Ovstedal from Norway, Dr Pauline Topham of Dundee and Mr EC Wallace (bryophytes) from 21-30 June 1977. Attention was concentrated on woodland sites, but maritime shore rocks, inland rock outcrops at low altitudes, and such artificial habitats as churchyards and walls were also studied. In total, 40 separate sites were surveyed, including some outside the Cowal peninsula itself, on the shores of Loch Lomond to the east of Cowal, north of Loch Fyne near Inverary and on the island of Bute. The small island of Inchmarnock was also surveyed by means of a small boat navigated by Mr P Wormell.

As a result of this and previous surveys, by far the greater part of mainland lowland Argyllshire has now been surveyed, at least in terms of a representative series of woodland sites.


1.2. The Cowal peninsula: Structure and Geology

Cowal, the region between Loch Fyne and Loch Long, is a highly dissected peninsula. "Fjords" or sea-lochs (Loch Goil, Holy Loch, Loch Striven, Loch Riddon) created by valley glaciers penetrate deeply into the terrain. Higher ground occupies the spurs of land between these. In the west and south the hills only reach 1400-1600 feet, but in the north-east the terrain is more mountainous, culminating in Ben More (Bheinn Mhor) (2433 ft), Beinn Bheula (2557 ft) and Beinn Dorich (2774 ft). The geology is complex and little purpose would be served by a description of it here, but pre-Cambrian Metamorphic rocks form the bulk of Cowal, overlaid on lower ground by glacial till which produces a little agricultural land in some of the valleys and in the south west. The soils in the woodlands are very varied; some areas have very acidic soils, as in Coille Mheadhonach in Glen Finart, Hells Glen and along parts of the sides of Glen Goil, but in many places basic metamorphic rocks, sometimes with igneous intrusions, give rise to more fertile soils with richer ground floras, as near Toll nan Muc south of Carrick Castle, along the shores of Loch Fyne, in Glendaruel and in Kilbride Bay.

The northern part of the island of Bute is composed of similar ancient metamorphic rocks to those of Cowal and the South Wood of Lemihuline is on acid rocks of this type. Southern Bute and the small island of Inchmarnock, however, are south of the Highland line and are lowland terrain on Devonian rocks of more basic nature and hence more fertile.


1.3. The Woodlands of Cowal

At one time all of the ground in Cowal except that of the highest hills and plateaux must have been forested with deciduous woodland; there is no evidence that Pinus forest has occurred there in historic time. By the

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late 18th century, most of this woodland seems to have been either cleared or replanted with oak and other trees, or destroyed by grezing, but much more or less modified primary woodland remained on glen sides, along the coastal belt and adjacent steeper slopes and in some river ravines. During the last 50 years or so, a great part of this woodland that remained has been replanted or in some cases interplanted with commercial conifer plantations which have also extended greatly over former open moorland areas. The changes of this type have been perhaps more severe in Cowal, especially in its south-east part (along Loch Long, the east side of Loch Goil, Glen Finart, Loch Eck, Strath Echaig and Glen Fyne) than elsewhere in the South West Highlands and such changes are still continuing on the south west coast of Cowal, where interesting oakwoods are being replaced with conifers at the present time by under-planting. Nevertheless, numerous interesting fragments of older mixed oakwoods remain, particularly around Loch Riddon, on the sides of Loch Goil, in Glendaruel and on the Loch Fyne coast of Cowal. Some of these are relatively undamaged and unmodified examples of what we believe to be the primary woodland cover of the area and are rich in lichens, bryophytes and sometimes also vasculer plant species. The important sites are stressed below in this report, with recommendations on their conservation rating.

In these old woodlands Quercus petrea is the principal dominant, but Betula, Sorbus aucuparia, Fraxinus and, more rarely, Ilex, occur in some quantity, while some extensive areas of old Corylus woodland occur in such areas as Glendaruel and Salix carr is also en important feature at the head of Loch Riddon, Hell's Glen and elsewhere. One interesting oakwood was surveyed on North Bute (South Wood of Lemihuline) and on Inchmarnock an interesting oak-hazel wood was studied.

The most interesting woodlands of all, however, that were surveyed during this excursion were those of Glen Shira, north east of Inverary on the north west side of Loch Fyne; here ancient parkland and valley mixed oak forest areas were found to exist that we regard as of international importance, both ecologically and lichenologically.


1.4. The lichen flora and vegetation: general comments

The Cowal woodlands, by virtue of the relatively southern position of the area in the Scottish Highlands, have a good representation of southern species that become rarer further north in west Scotland such as Parmelia capereta and P. subrudecta and in this respect are closer to those of Kintyre and Galloway than those of Westerness or Wester Ross. Euoceanic elements are excellently represented, in particular such species as Pseudocyphellaria crocata, P. thouersii, P. norvegica, Cetrelia cetrarioides, Parmelia laevigata, P. endochlora, P. sinuosa, P. taylorensis, Menegazzia terebrata, Thelotrema subtile and T. monosporum (Glen Shira). More extreme southern elements such as Rinodina roboris and Wadeana dendrographa that do have a few localities further north on the west coast were not, however, observed.
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Perhaps the most striking feature of the eastern parts of Cowal (Loch Goil, Loch Long shores, Glen Finart and Loch Eck areas especially) is, however, the strongly calcifuge nature of much of the corticolous lichen vegetation, even at low levels and in relatively sheltered sites. Lowland woods close to or even adjoining the fjord or loch shores have as their main communities either the predominantly foliose association of the Parmelietum laevigatae (see James, Hawksworth & Rose 1977) or crustose communities on mossy bark of Micarea spp. These communities, which are known to be very calcifuge (Permelietum laevigatae always found so far on bark of pH from 3.5-4.7) seem largely to replace the more usual lowland oakvood conmunities in W. Scotland of the Lobarion, which is rare in these areas and seems confined to apparently relic populations on a few ancient Quercus and Fraxinus. Westward, on the west and south west sides of Cowal and on the shores of Loch Fyne, the Lobarion (or else communities with Parmelia caperata, P. revoluta and P. perlata in more open sites) replaces the Parmelielum laevigatae in the lower parts of the woods and the latter association is there confined, as is normal, to the more upland, exposed woodland areas.

We suspect (though we are not yet in a position to prove this hypothesis) that this is an as yet unrecorded air pollution effect. It does not seem to be the usual SO2 pollution effect; Lecanora conizaeoides was not recorded at all in Cowal (though it was on Inchmarnock and (very interestingly) in Glen Shira near Inverary, and Usnea spp. are far commoner and more luxuriant than in any previously studied areas with significant SO2 levels. We suspect that the pollution factor is H2SO4 brought down in the rain which acidifies the bark without being specifically toxic to lichens in general, unlike the HSO3 or SO3 ions. Nearer to the Clydeside industrial region, normal SO2 effects can be seen (abundance of Lecanora conizaeoides, loss of diversity in the lichen flora, abundance of particularly Hypogynnia physodes). These effects are seen from west of Dumbarton to Helensburgh and in the Greenock-Dunoon area. We suspect that further west, in eastern Cowal, any SO2 carried by easterly winds has by then been oxidised to H2SO4 and that in the high rainfall of the eastern Cowal area, abnormally acid rain is causing these modifications of the lichen vegetation described above. West of the central Cowal hills, by Loch Fyne etc, it seems that the terrain is too far from Clydeside for such effects to operate and the normal Lobarion communities occur there, generally on oaks in low-level woodlands. Rather similar lichen vegetation patterns can be seen in western Lakeland (e.g. in the wood by Innerdale); here it is significant, perhaps, that there are old records (19th century) of Lobarion species, but none seem to exist there now. In that area the acid rain may be induced by long-range H2SO4 pollution from industrial Lancashire or perhaps from Workington and Barrow. In south west Cowal (Loch Riddon, Glenan Bay areas) and in west Cowal (Glendarel, Strathlachlan etc) normal "old forest" communities of the Lobarion type usually characteristic of more base-rich bark (pH5.0-6.0) prevail in the lowland woodlands.

One very interesting feature seen on the Loch Fyne shores of Cowal is the presence of saxicolous communities on sheltered west or south-west facing shore rocks above high tide level which are composed of a mixture of normally corticolous Lobarion elements (including many species of Collema, Leptogium, Pannaria, Parmeliella end Sticta mixed with, more nomally submaritime saxicolous species such as various species of Lecidea, Lecanora, Verrucaria, Arthonia phaeobaea, Porocyphus coccodes etc. In some places the Lobarion elements

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extend on to trees bordering the shore, in others the old trees have been felled and these species are, locally, exclusively saxicolous. A similar phenomenon occurs at Dirk Hatteraick's Cave on the coast of Galloway and to a lesser degree further north on the Westerness and Sutherland coastal rocks in sheltered sites.

Cowal proved notable for the frequency of such newly noted species as Haematomma caesium, Micarea phycnidiophora, Leptogiun britannicun, for the occurrence on coastal rocks of rarities such as Porocyphus kenmorensis, P. coccodes and Placynthiun flabellosum.

A number of unknown species were collected that remain to be identified or even described new to science.

The lichen flora of Glen Shira is discussed below in the sites description section, as is that of Inchmarnock.


2. THE DESCRIPTION OF SITES STUDIED

Sites on Loch Lomond are described first, then those of Cowal itself, then those of north west Loch Fyne and finally, those in Bute and Inchmarnock. They are numbered in order of chronological sequence of survey. In addition, the sites have been given an extra code number relating them to the broader study of lichen habitats in the Scottish Highlands as a whole which is in three parts:

1. A code letter indicating the habitat, e.g. D = deciduous woodland
habitat, Sx = primarily saxicolous habitat.
2. A code letter for the old County - e.g. D = Dumbarton, A = Argyll,
B = Bute.
3. A number in the whole Scottish Highland series.
For each site, a grid reference relating to the centre of the site is given, either 4 or 6 figure.

A 1-4 star system of conservation importance rating is given for each site.
**** = International importance
 *** = National importance
  ** = Regional importance
   * = Local importance

Each site is briefly described, with notes on its species or ecological features of interest. Where relevant, the total number of lichens recorded in the site is quoted and also its RIEC figure (Revised Index of Ecological Continuity, see Rose 1976). Lichen record cards are included for each site
and where data are available, bryophyte and vascular-plant cards also. Copies of record cards are held at the South West Regional office of the Nature Conservancy Council, The Castle, Loch Lomond Park, Balloch G83 8LX.

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On some cards, host tree species or other substrates are indicated by a coding symbol as follows:

Ac = Acer campestre
A = Alnus
B = Betula
Cast = Castanea
Fg = Fagus
Fx = Fraxinus
I = Ilex
Q = Quercus

Sal = Salix
Sor = Sorbus
Syc = Acer pseudoplatanus
Til = Tilia
U = Ulmus
Red dot = old forest indicator species used in RIEC calculation

Lig = decorticated wood
Sx  = saxicolous (on rock)
T = terricolous (on soil)


a. Loch Lomond area


a.1. DD73 - Rossdhu House Park. 23/35-89 and to S & E. ** at least

Further work in 1978 by Dr OL Gilbert, Mr BJC Coppins and myself has now revealed that this site is of major importance, at least at Regional level - possibly national. 170 lichen epiphyte taxa have now been recorded in the Park, mainly on the old Quercus, Fraxinus and Ulnus in the parkland and wood-pasture south west of the house about 359892 and the RIEC value is 100. Species of interest include Bacidia arceutina, Catillaria pulverea. C. sphaeroides, Arthonia exilis, Bacidea absistens, Caloplaca ulcerosa, Chaenotheca brunneola, C. hispidula, Coniocybe furfuracea, Cyphelium sessile, Haemetomma caesium, Lecidea templetonii, L. cinnabarina, Parmeliella jamesii, Cetrelia cetrarioides, Parmelia crinita, Lobaria pulmonaria, L. amplissima, L. scrobiculata, Pachyphiale cornea, Peltigera hymenina, P. membranacea, Physcia endophoenicea, Porina affinis, Rinodina conradii, R. efflorescens, Sticta fuliginosa, S. limbata and Thelopsis rubella. It is clearly one of the best lowland-parkland type habitats for epiphytic lichens in central Scotland.


a.2. DD74 - Stuckgowan, south of Tarbet. 27/32-03 **

This site consists of oakwoods with some old Fraxinus, Ilex and Betula on steep slopes west of Loch Lomond. A number of interesting old forest species occur here - perhaps their nearest approach to Glasgow, including Lobarion elements on old Fraxinus, Euoceanic species such as Menagazzia terebrata, Parmelia laevigata, P. sinuosa, P. taylorensis and Cetrelia cetrarioides. 75 taxa were recorded and the RIEC is 60, a moderately high figure suggestive of a fair degree of forest environmental continuity through time.

The high rainfall and oceanic climate probably account for the presence of Hymenophyllum tunbrigense and Dryopteris aemula: They are ferns of euoceanic distribution that occur here on shaded, rocky banks with several oceanic bryophytes.

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b. Cowal - Loch Goil area


3. DA75 - Woodland on west side of Loch Goil, Cowal, between Douglas Pier and Cuil Muich. 26/19-96-98 *

There is a long stretch of mixed deciduous woodland along the west shore of Loch Goil and on the slopes above. It contains, however, few trees of any size and appears (except for a few fragments in ravines) to be largely secondary growth woodland. There is a good range of lichen species present; interesting euoceanic species of very restricted distribution (e.g. Thelotrema subtile - Arthothelium ilicinun) and wider distribution (e.g. Parmelia Laevigata, P. sinuosa, P. taylorensis, Menegazzia terebrata) occur, sometimes in quantity, and the total epiphyte flora comprises 105 taxa. However, the RIEC figure of 60 is low for an old woodland site in SW Scotland. Not only are many "old woodland" species apparently absent, but several that occur (eg. the Lobaria spp.) are very rere and confined to one or two aged, senescent or even dead trees near the loch shore, outside the woodlands proper. Clearly, there has been much disturbance here in the past, though the area has so far escaped conifer planting. The abundance of the calcifuge euoceanic species of the Parmelietum laevigatae seems to us to be an example or the posslible H2SO4-rich rain pollution effect mentioned in the introduction. Neverltheless, the site is quite a rich one, with some very interesting species such as Haematomma caesium and Micarea spp present.

The ground flora over much of the terrain is very calcifuge, but rich flushes with a good range of vascular plants and bryophytes occur in a ravine at the north end of the site. This is the most important part of the area (195985 and below).

The RIEC of the woodland area sensu stricto (excluding isolated roadside trees to the south) is only 45.


4. DA76 - Toll nan Muc - west side of Loch Goil, south of Carrick. 26/20-90. *

This site is an area of old deciduous woodland on steep rocky slopes with some cliffs above the shore. The list includes lichens on the shore rocks. The rocks in the wood are highly basic in places, with a number of calcicole bryophytes such as Neckera crispa and Ctenidiun molluscum; some interesting oceanic bryophytes (e.g. Adelanthus decipiens, Dicranum scottianum) and ferns (e.g. Dryopteris amule, both HymenophyLlum spp.) occur, too.

A total of 144 lichen taxa were recorded, but anly 60 of these were epiphytes; the majority of these were either calcifuge oceanic species of the Parmelietum laevigate or smooth-bark species on Corylus. There are very few old forest lichens, the RIEC is only 25 and species of Lobaria, Pannaria and Permeliella are quite lacking.

Although the wood is of much interest for its crustose saxicolous species, including some yet undescribed, it must be regarded as largely secondary growth. The ground flora of the basic area of the wood is quite rich for the area, with such plants as Asperula odorata, Sanicula and Mercurialis perennis and some interesting Carex-rich flushes occur in a more open area to the south east.

In summary, this is a valuable area ecologically and floristically at regional level, though of a lower grade lichenologically.

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5. DA77 - Wood south of beech, east side of Loch Goil. 26/20-96 **

This is an area of birch-alder-oak forest on the steep rocky slopes of the east shore of Loch Goil.
The wood itself (or the parts of it surveyed) is composed mostly of rather young trees and has a limited epiphyte flora of only 34 species containing few old forest species (RIEC value = 10) with no Lobaria, Pannaria, Parmeliella or Sticta species, but it does contain some interesting crustose Micarea species and at least two unidentified crustose lichens. The calcifuge Parmelietum laevigatae association is, however, well developed on the oaks. Of most interest, however, are the saxicolous lichen communities on the sheltered, very basic rocks of the shoreline. Of extreme interest here are Porocyphus kenmorensis in its second British locality and Placynthium flabellosum; also Leptogium cyanescens and Pannaria microphylla occur here. There is a good calcifuge bryophyte flora on the rocks in the wood, though nothing outstanding is present.

The saxicolous lichen Placopsis gelida, usually found in subalpine situations or higher still, occurs on the shore rocks.


6. DA78 - South West of north of Loch Goil Head - roadside trees. 27/18-00

Old roadside Fraxinus south west of the village and old Quercus in roadside woodland to the north were surveyed. Here relatively well-developed Lobarion communities were recorded, the only sites near Loch Goil where such communities now seem to occur, possibly 1) because older generation trees still survive here and 2) because the sites are more sheltered from the acid rainfall pollution which, we suspect, affects much of south east Cowal. A total of 44 epiphytic lichens and 7 bryophytes were seen on 3 Fraxinus and 1 old Quercus.


7. DA 79 - Hells' Glen Woodlands north of Loch Goil. 27/19-05 ***

This area of ancient, locally boggy, oak-birch-sallow woodland in a ravine is of major importance. It has a very calcifuge flora of lichens, bryophytes and vascular plants, but with an RIEC of 65 and a total of 100 epiphytic lichens it would appear to be relict primary woodland. Lobarion is well developed on some of the larger oaks in the ravine, but the prevailing epiphytic community is the Parmelietun laevigatae in a rich and diverse form. There is a most interesting comunity present on mossy Quercus boles in the valley, also on Salix, comprising Heteroderma obscurata (seen fertile here for the first time this century in the British Isles), Sticta limbata, Lobaria scrobiculata and Cetrelia cetrarioides etc. Parmelia endochlora, P. sinuosa and Sphaerophorus melanocarpus are rare oceanic species occurring here, while also of interest are Massalongia carnosa on moss over rocks, Lopadium pezizoideum, Parmeliella jamesii, Haematomma caesium and several interesting members of the Caliciales. The rare euoceanic Thelotrema subtile is present on Corylus. Parts of the wood to the west are on basic rock and have a richer ground flora.

The bryophyte flora is rich in oceanic species; Jamesoniella autunnalis on Quercus is particularly interesting. Cladonia luteoalba on rock is also of interest. This wood is certainly an outstending site within Scotland and of national importance.

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8. Sx A.79 - Carrick Castle ruins and surrounding trees. 26/193945

The ruins of the castle provided quite a rich habitat for saxicolous lichens of dry limestone in an area without natural rocks of this type. Surrounding trees added several species.

Many calcifuge saxicolous lichens were also recorded and several normally corticolous species of Collema and Leptogium occurred on the limestone.


13 & 14. DA84 & 85 - Coille Mheadhonach. 26/17-89 to 26/17-90 **

This woodland at the lower end of Glen Finart is mainly dominated by oaks of no great size, though there are larger ones to the south east. It is in a high rainfall area and much of the northern part has a very dense Rhododendron understorey which shades the trunks heavily. A number of planted conifers occur, especially Abies pectinata among the oaks and the wood has clearly been subjected in parts to management in the past, though it appears more "natural" to the south, where it has some large Fraxinus and much Corylus and along the Finart River where old Fraxinus and Alnus are of interest. The Lobarion is largely absent in this wood, perhaps partly due to intense shade but also probably due to acid rainfall and to some past disturbance. A reduced Lobarion (with Loberia scrobiculata, Pannaria pityrea and Sticta spp etc) does, however, occur on Fraxinus by the river. The Parmelietum lavigetae is richly developed in better-lit situations, including fertile Sphaerophorus melanocarpus on dead Abies and the wood is remarkable for the presence of an abundance of Micarea species on shaded mossy Quercus boles; 8 species of this genus occur (of which two are unpub1ished) and 4 appear to be hitherto unKnown. Parmelia endochlora, Thelopsis rubella and Mycoblastus affinis are also very interesting.

The bryophyte flora is rich in oceanic species, including the rare and only recently published Plagiochila atlantica on shaded rocks. There are areas of heath and valley bog and much rock in the upper parts.

The wood has been listed on two cards (13 and 14) as it lies in two grid squares, but composite lichen and bryophyte cards are also included. The RIEC is 65, there are 94 epiphytes recorded and a total of 137 lichens in all habitats in the woodland as a whole. The bryophyte card covers the woodland along the shore south of Ardentiny, but the only additional species here were Lepidozia pinnata and Climacium dendroides.


15. DA86 - Shore Woods from south of Ardentinny to Gairletter Point on west shore of Loch Long. 26/19-84 *

Most of the slopes to the shores of loch Long are now conifer plantations, but between A.880 and the Loch shore there are interesting relics of oak woodland, rich in bryophytes (especially Lepidozia pinnata), ferns such as Hymenophyllum tunbrigense and a few "old woodland" lichens. The shore rocks themselves, however, are more interesting, with Pannaria microphylla, Placynthium nigrum, Leptogium sinuatum, L. cyanescens, L. britannicum, Arthonia phaeobaea, Bacidia scopulicola, Parmelia britannica and Verrucaria praetermissa. The RIEC is 40 and 122 lichens were recorded in toto.

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Other sites were studied on the sides of Loch Eck, but most were found to be either entirely converted to conifers or so heavily interplanted as to be of little interest. One area of older oakwood was, however, studied briefly south of Invernoaden (26/12-97) and here the Parmelietum laevigate was found to be the dominating lichen community.

We looked at the Holy Loch and Glenkin areas for undisturbed deciduous woodland relics, but found none of any importance at all; Holy Loch is rather suburbanised and Glenkin is almost entirely conifer plantations. We found only two old oaks there on which were 14 corticolous lichens including Parmeliella jamesii and Cetrelia, but they are of little importance now. An unknown sterile crust from here and a plant with delimited yellow-orange soralia related to Lecidea uliginosa may, however, prove to be of interest.


16. DA87 - Woodland in Glen Massan. 26/12 & 13-85 **

Glen Massan, unlike most of the surrounding district, still contains a narrow belt of interesting old deciduous woodland along the River Massan from about 1 km below Stonefield to the gates of Ben More Park. Good Lobarion occurs on large Fraxinus and Quercus here and there is a total of 81 epiphytic lichens; the total lichen flora comprises 138 recorded taxa, the RIEC is 60. This site is worth conserving at regional level, as it is the only area of lichen-rich, apparently primary woodland we could find in this part of Cowal. Rocks and walls are included in the list. Massalongia carnosa is of interest.


17• DA88 - Strachur village area, by Loch Fyne, especially about Creggans. 27/08-01 to 02

A list was made of roadside walls, shore boulders and old trees about Strachur, but nothing very striking was recorded.


21. DA92 - Wood at Leitir a' Chuilinn, north of Strachur. 27/09-03 *

Some moderately interesting relic oak-birch-rowan woodland was surveyed here (21a) and also the shore rocks (21b). A list of 61 epiphytic lichens was made; the RIEC is 40. Nothing very remarkable was noted, however.


22. DA93 - Wood at Garbhallt, Strathlachlan. 26/022959 **

This is an interesting oceanic oakwood with Salix carr and a little valley. Good Lobarion and Parmelietum laevigatae occur, also Usneion and Graphidion. The most interesting species here are Enterographa hutchinsiae on oak roots, Parmelia arnoldii, Lecidea berengeriana and Mycoblastus fucatus, plus 3 unknown species.　Epiphytes 88, RIEC - 65, total lichens 125.


23. DA94 - Coast at Tobar an Fhion, Lachlan Bay, on south east side of Loch Fyne. 26/00-94　**

The interest here centres on the rich communities of the sheltered, rather basic shoreline rocks, rather than on the fringe of remaining

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deciduous woodland itself, though the mature oaks and ash trees are quite rich. On the rocks there is a well-developed Lobarion, including 3 sресіes of Lobaria, 3 of Sticta, Pseudocyphellaria thouarsii, Parmeliella plumbea, Nephroma laevigatum, 5 species of Leptogium and 4 of Collema, together with the usual species of coastal rocks and some rarer ones such as Arthonia phaeobaea.

The shore habitat here resembles that of site 33 (Kilbride Bay) but is not quise so rich.


27. SxA98 - Rocks at Binnein Mor above west side of Loch Riddon. 16/99-76

This list was made on siliceous rocks in open rocky moorland west of Loch Riddon, just as a sample of the calcifuge saxicolous lichen communities in this part of Cowal.


28. DA99 - Woods at Lochhead, head of Loch Riddon. 26/00-80 **

Steep rocky oak-birch wood, with Salix carr below and some Alnus and Ilex comprises this site, together with shore-side rocks by tidal Loch Riddon. A fair range of species occurs on both rocks and trees. The main community on trees and rocks in woodland is the Parmelietun laevigatae, including its humid variants on Salix in carr with the rare Heterodermia obscurata, Parmelia endochlora and P. sinuosa, also the Lecanora jamesii and Catillaria pulverea community. Several interesting Micarea species are present.


29. DA100 - Clachan of Glendaruel, by Glendaruel Hotel. 16/99-84 - Trees

This habitat comprises mature Fraxinus trees in and about Glendaruel. Corticolous species characteristic of mature trees in open, somewhat nutrient-enriched environments in south west Scotland are well developed here, but there are no outstanding features.

37. Sx.A108 - Clachan of Glendaruel - Churchyard and walls. 16/99-84

This habitat comprises saxicolous substrates in the same areas as No. 29. Physcia teretiuscula and P. wainioi are of some interest.


30. DA101 - Wood of South Kilbride, more Glendaruel. 26/02-90

This area of mixed deciduous woodland has been disturbed by much planting in the past and is not of any great importance lichenologically in a western Scottish context except for the presence of one unkown crustose species on Quercus that may be new.


31. DA102 - Wood on west side of River Ruel, opposite Conchra, Glendaruel. 26/02-89 **

This old woodland on a slope facing south east is much more important than site 30, although only a few hundred metres to the south. There is a large area of ancient Corylus woodland below with some of the largest Corylus we have ever seen; this is a very rich area. Elsewhere in the wood there are large trees of Quercus and Frexinus, Betula, Sorbus etc.

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Lobaria species are uncommon, but Pannaria pityrea and several Permeliella species (including the new species P. testacea and P. jamesii) occur. Leptogium brebissonii is a very important species here; Pachyphiale cornea, rare in Cowal, occurs here, as do a number of interesting species of Micarea. It is rich in smooth-bark species. Altogether, it is a very interesting wood at Regional level.


32. DA 103 - Woodland in Glendaruel Forest, north of Conchra and the school. 26/02-89 **

This woodland of Quercus, Corylus and Fraxinus is quite dense with not many large trees, but proved to be of importance for smooth bark species of the Graphidion in particular. Leonactis homalotropum, Thelotrema subtile, Microthelia micula and Bombyliospora pachycarpa are all rare species of great interest present and the Loberion is well-developed locally. Not much time was spent here and only 69 epiphytic lichens were recorded, but an RIEC of 50 was attained.


33. DA104 - Kilbride Bay, woods and shore rocks north and south of Craig Lodge, south of Kames. 16/96-67 to 66 ***

This site, though small, is perhaps of national importance for lichens. It is an interesting area of oak woodland, but the main interest is in the tree-sheltered basic rocks of the shore where very rich lichen communities occur with strong Lobarion elements mixed with basic rock species and maritime saxicolous species. A very wide range of interesting species occur here, both on trees and rocks. Some of the more interesting are Caloplaca arnoldii (far north for this largely southern species), Leoanactis homalotropum (endemic to British Isles), Haematomma caesium, Dirina stenhammarii, Catillaria biformigera, Pachyphiale cornea, Selenopsora vulturiensis, S. holophaea, Sticta dufourii, Pseudocyphellaria thouarsii, P. norvegica and Lobaria amplissima. It is possibly of national status.

(An area of Sallow carr to the north (site 33a) opposite Coille na Sithe was surveyed but did not prove very interesting. The bryophyte card 33A was made in this carr and the adjoining oakwood, Coille na Sithe). total lichen flora of site 33 comprises 238 taxa (125 of these normally epiphytic) - RIEC = 90.


34. DA105 - Oakwoods south of Craig an Fhithich, north west of Kames. 16/95-73 *

This oakwood on rocky, extremely acid terrain did not prove very rich lichenologically, though bryophytically rich. The Parmelietum laevigatae is the principal community present on oak and birch trees and on mossy rocks; there is no Lobarion present. Menegazzia terebrata was common and Sphaerophorus melanocarpus was fertile on mossy rocks. A mature planted beech grove to the west had the more lowland Parmelietum revolutae and areas of birch-sallow carr added diversity, but the site is not outstanding for lichens. Hymenophyllum wilsoni and Dryopteris aemula occurred among the ferns and the bryophyte flora is quite rich, with Lepidozia pinnata and Dicranum scottianum 1ocally abundant. Dicranum montanum (rare in west Scotland) occurs here.

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35. DA106. - Lub na Faochaige, Glenan Bay, W. of Kames. 16/92-70 **

 This area of woodland incorporates coastal rocks and also a tree-shaded former sea cliff line a little way in from the present shore. To the north west there is more oak woodland with a lichen and bryophyte-rich ravine. It is an interesting and diverse area with a rich flora, but not as good as site 33; a number of expected species are missing. This may in part be due to the fact that parts of the woodland have been destroyed and replanted with conifers, leading no doubt to drying out. Other still intact parts are underplanted with young conifers, even in the ravine to the north west. We consider that this site is worth conservation and some of these young trees under the hardwood canopy (which are unlikely to flourish anyway) should be taken out; it would still be easy to do this and they could be sold as Christmas trees if required.

The oak-sheltered cliffs are the most interesting part with a good range of Lobarion and other phytosociological elements, but the lack of very basic rock may well limit the variety of rarer species. Ochrolechia inversa on rock was perhaps the most interesting lichen seen here; we saw this oceanic species only in one other place (site 39 DA110) in Cowal. All the British species of Parmeliella occur, also Leptorhaphis ischnobela and several as yet unnamed species of interest. The bryophyte flora is good but not outstanding in rare species. Lepidozia pinnata, however, is locally abundant in the ravine to the west and Dicranum scottianum occurs too.


36. DA107 - Loch Riddon Shore Woods, Craig Cottage to Shellfield. 26/00-78 to 79 ***

This is a very rich area and if taken in conjunction with sites 28 and 37 is, perhaps, of national status for lichens and bryophytes. These shore oakwoods bordering Loch Riddon are of great importance.

Rich Lobarion occurs on rocks and to a lesser extent on the trees. Interesting and rich Parmelietum laevigatae communities (with Parmelia endochlora, P. sinuosa, Catillaria pulverea etc) occur on Betula in boggy woodland, and Bacidia scopulicola, Catillaria biformigera and Leptogium britannicun are of interest on the rocks, together with Solenopsora holoplaea and S. vulturiensis. Hymenophyllum tunbrigense is locally abundant in this sheltered site.

More work is needed on the bryophytes. Adelanthus decipiens is locally common and most of the more usual oceanic calcifuge species are present, but a longer survey would surely reveal more than 56 species.

173 lichens were recorded in this quite limited area. 96 of these are normally epiphytic, though many of these are saxicolous here. The RIEC value is 75.

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38. DA109 - Auchenbreck Wood, Head of Loch Riddon. 26/01-81 (with Site 36) ***

This low-lying woodland is dominated in parts by Quercus petraea, in parts by extensive areas of Corylus with old Frexinus and with areas of Salix and Betula carr with some Alnus. Only the part north of the Auchenbreck Burn was studied; much more work is required to survey the more central and southern parts of this extensive wood. Much of the oakwood appears to be secondary regrowth but there are some old trees. Pseudocyphellaria crocata, very rare in Cowal, occurs here and a very wide range of species of the Lobarion, Graphidion and the Parmelietum laevigatae are present. Important species include Arthothelium ilicinum, Lecanactis homalotropum, Thelotrema subtile, Haematomma caesium and Pachyphiale cornea. 92 epiphytic lichens were recorded (there are probably many more than this) and the RIEC value is 70. The wood is not bryologically very rich due to lack of rock.


39. DA110 - Woods on Loch Riddon east shore opposite to Craig Lodge, south of Salthouse Point. 26/01-81.

This woodland looked interesting on the map but in fact proved to be largely secondary and very damaged. Some old Quercus remain along the shore road (with old Betula). Inland Alnus is dominent on the lower slopes, but a wide swathe has been cut through here, parallel with the road, to take a line of electricity power cables. Quercus-Betula woodland occurs above this but it appeared rather young and was not studied. The site is now of little importance, though Ochrolechia inversa was found and also Arthopyrenia cinereopruinosa. 74 epiphytes were recorded and the RIEC value is 55. The total lichen flora recorded for the site was 135 but nearly half of these are on rather open coastal rocks.


40. DA111 - Ravine woodland north east of Glachavoil, north of Kyles of Bute. 26/02-75 and 76. *

This ravine was only studied rather briefly on our way to catch the ferry at Dunoon. It is likely to be of considerable interest higher up the stream. We only penetrated for about 400 metres or so. Quercus petraea coppice occurs on the steep sides, with larger oaks further up. The valley floor has much Corylus and a few Fraxinus. Only the valley floor and roadside walls were surveyed. Arthopyrenia cinereopruinosa present here suggests a promising habitat further up. 67 epiphytes (total lichens 118) were actually recorded and the RIEC value as far as work goes is only 45 but is probably higher in reality.


SITES IN COWAL NOT SURVEYED

While the majority of the significant areas of old deciduous woodland in Cowel are thought to have been at least visited, if not all surveyed with equal thoroughness, some areas remain uncovered. These fall mainly into two regions:

1. Oakwoods along the east shore of Loch Fyne on the west coast of Cowal from south of Lachlan Bay, Black Harbour;

2. In the area from Loch Striven to Ardyne Point and Dunoon.

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In region 1, woods along the A886 from Lachlan Bay to Otter Ferry were assessed from the car in passing by. Nearly all of the woods shown as deciduous woodlend on the 1" OS map are in fact now either converted partly or wholly to conifer plantations, but this does not mean that nothing of interest remains here. However, there are unlikely to be any areas of size large enough left to justify major conservation action except perhaps at 964900 and at 948874, where the habitats look rather more promising. To the south, the Ballimore estate (though much is replanted) may contain areas of interest near the shore at 923833, but time did not permit us to study this. The Kilfinan Burn (94-97-) may well be of interest and importance and possibly the wood west of Fearnoch at 923797. There are also woods about Black Harbour (910725 and 914735) and north of Ardmarnock House that might require study. Before anyone attempts to spend time on surveying these, however, it is essential that the Forestry Commission is consulted, as they will be able to give vital information on the present state of these areas. The FC controls most of the woodlands in Cowal and is in a better position than anyone else to supply such information.

In region 2, there is a little deciduous woodland still at the head of Loch Striven, but it did not appear of great importance when we drove past. Further round the Ardyne peninsula there seem to be only fragments of deciduous woodland and the Dunoon area is largely suburbanised or coniferised, as is the Holy Loch area.


THE LICHEN FLORA OF COWAL

A total of 428 lichen taxa (species, subspecies and varieties) were recorded in Cowal during the excursion. In addition a further 24 taxa were recorded in Glen Shira but not in Cowal, a further 11 in Inchmarnock (with a drier climate end more southerly flora) and a further 2 by Loch Lomond. Thus, a total of 465 taxa were recorded on the excursion.

Of the taxa recorded for Cowal, 5 have names but are not yet described in print. While at least 22 taxa are quite undescribed, some have been collected before, but many are quite new. This reveals the situation in British lichenology; though much work has been done, particularly in the last 12 years, on survey there are clearly many critical species still to find and describe.

The already described species of nost interest in Cowel include Arthonia phaeobaea, Bacidia scopulicola, fertile Heteroderma obscarata, Bombyliospora pachycarpa (unrecorded in GB for about 100 years but now tuming up in several places), Bacidia beckhausii, Caloplaca arnoldii, Cladonia luteoalba, Lecanactis homalotropum (endemic to British Isles and local), Haematomma caesium ined, Catillaria biformigera, Microthelia micula, Leptogium britannicum, L. brebissonii, L. plicatile, Lopadium pezizoideum, Massalongia carnosa, an interesting range of Micarea spp., Mycoblastus affinis, M. fucatus, Ochrolechia inversa, Thelotrema subtile, Parmelia endochlora, Parmeliella testacea, Placynthum flabellosum, Porocyphus coccodes, P. kenmorensis, Parmelia arnoldii, Pseudocyphellaria crocata, P. norvegica, P. thouarsii, Solenopsora holophaea, S. vulturiensis, Thelopsis rubella and Xylographa vitiligo.

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CENTRAL REGION NORTH WEST OF LOCH FINE, OUTSIDE COWAL


Glen Shira - see sites 10 (DA81), 11 (DA82), 18 (SXA89), 19 (DA90) and 20 (DA91), also composite card for epiphytes of Glen Shire (10, 11, 19 and 20 composite) all in 27/1-1-. ****

Glen Shira was the most important discovery of the whole excursion. In its length it runs from ancient open lowland parkland with many ancient Fraxinus and other old trees to hilly ancient closed woodlands, partly with Ulmus and Fraxinus etc, to what appears to be little-disturbed primary mixed oak forest in the upper part of the Glen. Above the present tree line there are outcrops of mica schist of outstanding richness in rare or undescribed saxicolous species.

If one takes the corticolous and lignicolous (epiphytic) lichen flora of Glen Shira as a whole, it comprises (in the area of approximately 2 sq. km. surveyed) 193 taxa, a figure equalled or exceeded by only 3 other known sites of comparable size in western Europe, namely Glasdrum NNR in Argyllshire (208 taxa), Melbury Park in Dorset (208 taxa) and Boconnoc Park in Cornwall (188 taxa). The total lichen flora of the valley so far recorded comprises 288 taxa.

The RIEC value for the woodlands as a whole is 130; nearly all the species characteristic of ancient forests in Britain (except for a few species that do not extend northwards into Scotland) occur here. It is a site of major international importance on lichenological grounds alone.

The sections of the valley will now be considered in sequence from the lowest to the highest part.


10. DA81 - The old parkland north east of Inverary. 27/12-11- and to south.

This comprises an avenue of ancient Castanea and Tilia close to the main road A83, with "continental" lignicolous species such as Calicium sp and Chaenotheca brunneola and (of major interest) the open Fraxinus pasture-woodland c. 2 km　north of the road on slopes east of Dubh Loch. This clearly ancient parkland has a character structurally more typical of such southern English parks as those at Eridge, Parham, Melbury etc.

It is of quite outstanding and unique richness both in diversity and biomass of epiphytes and gives an idea of the richness (even greater than today) that some of the ancient south east English parklands must have possessed c. 100-150 years ago. Here are present outstandingly rich Lobarion communities on nearly every tree, some few species of enriched bark and also a number of oceanic species. The area is exceptionally rich in corticolous lichens with blue-green algal phycobionts; 4 species of Collema, 4 of Leptogium, 3 of Pannaria and 4 of Parmeliella are present, indicating bark of high pH (probably 5.5-6.5) and no evidence of significant air pollution.

The total epiphytic lichen flora comprises 135 taxa and the RIEC is 90, but many other species now correlated with old forests, and that are not used in the RIEC compilation, occur such as Bombyliospora pachycarpa, Haematomma caesium, Pannaria sampaiana and Arthothelium ilicinum on smooth bark. Lobaria amplissima


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in particular is magnificently developed on Fraxinus and richly fertile. Parmeliella plumbea is common and Polychidium muscicola, Menegazzia terebrata, Strangospora ochrophora, Collema nigrescens and Catillaria grossa are among much else of importance here, with the euoceanic Pseudocyphellaria thouarsii and Thelotrema subtile. The bryophytes on the old trees also provide a quite rich assemblage of species characteristic of this habitat. Finally, the endemic Lecanactis homalotropa (confined to west Scotland and west Ireland) occurs and some as yet undetermined species.


11. DA82 - Kilblaan Ravine, Glen Shira. 27/12 to 13/13

This steep-sided ravine contains interesting Corylus woodland with smooth-bark Graphidion communities and some oceanic species (eg. Thelotrema subtile), while on mature Acer campestre there is Lobarion. A large, presumably planted Carpinus at the entrance has fertile Parmelia laevigate on it. The rocky sides of the ravine are rich in basicolous bryophytes such as Orthothecium rufescens in abundance, Eucladium verticellatum and Gymnostomum species.


20. DA91 - Woodland west of Elrig Beag, Glen Shira. 27/13-14

Old Ulmus-Fraxinus-Quercus high forest on the north slopes of Glen Shira was studied here. Well developed Lobarion was recorded. Bombyliospora pachycarpa, Parmeliella jamesii and P. testacea ined were also noted and a Caloplaca was collected on an old sycamore below the woodland that is a new species to science (C. ulcerosa).

Not much time was spent here, but the area is clearly rich and may well be in part primary woodland, though there has clearly been past management and some replanting along the lower edge at least of the wood. The total number of epiphytes recorded - 72 - could no doubt be considerably increased. The RIEC is already 75, however, which suggests a continuity of forest environment here for a long period.

Some saxicolous species were recorded on rocks and on a wall nearby.


19. DA90 - Upper Glen Shira - old mixed oakwoods in the glen above Drimlee. 27/14-16

Some time was spent in this area, but the woodlands are extensive and could do with one or two days more survey. It is one of the most remarkable areas of ancient forest that we have seen in Scotland, with a corticolous lichen flora of 156 taxa recorded so far. Nearly all the "old forest" species that one can find in Scotland are present and the RIEC value is 110. There are only very few sites as rich as this in Britain and if one includes the rest of Glen Shira, one has a site of clear international importance.

The forest, on slopes on either side of the gorge of the River Shira, is a mixed oak forest, with Quercus, Alnus, Corylus, Fraxinus, Sorbus aucuparia, Salix atrocinerea, Ulmus, Betula pubescens and a little Ilex. The ground flora is rich in the gorge, more calcifuge on the upper slopes, but good brown soils prevail and there are extensive Alnus-Salix flushes on the middle slopes that are of great interest. A wide range of interesting oceanic and other bryophytes are present.

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Among the more interesting lichens present are Heterodermia obscurata (now very local in Britain) , Arthopyrenia cinereopruinosa, Arthothelium Ilicinum, Bacidia beckhausii, Bombyliospora pachycarpa (very rare, especially in Scotland), Caloplaca aurantiaca, Catillaria pulverea, C. sphaeroides, Cladonia bellidiflora (epiphytic on Alnus - normally terricolous), Graphara ruiziana (very rare so far north, a euoceanic species), Haematomma caesium, Lecanora jamesii, Leptogium burgessii, Massalongia carnosa, Microglaena muscorum, Microthelia micula, Thelotrema subtile, Pannaria sampaiana, Parmelia endochlora, Parmeliella jamesii (fertile), P. testacea, Pilophorus distans, Pseudocyphellaria crocata, P. thouarsii, P. norvegica (highly oceanic species almost confined to the Scottish hills in Britain), Sticta dufourii, Phyllopsora rosei, Thelotrema monosporum (third British locality, on Corylus and several undescribed species on Micrarea.

This, and the parkland lower down Glen Shira would, if effectively conserved, provide both a superb "genetic bank" of British corticolous lichen taxa and also an excellent range of ecological habitats only to be paralleled in a very few other sites, if indeed at all. Lichens, both corticolous and saxicolous, grow here in fine abundance as well as variety and a wide range of associations occur in different environmental situations, including Lobarion in various forms, Parmelietum Laevigatae, Graphidion communities and those of decorticate wood.


18. SXA89 - Glen Shira above the present tree line, SE of Rob Roy's House. 27/15 and 16-16

Along the side branch of Glen Shira in which the Brannie Burn flows, there are extensive roadside outcrops of calcareous mica-schist and many erratic boulders. Here a most interesting and important saxicolous lichen flora occurs, including Staurothele succedens, Polyblastia henscheliana, P. theloides, Gyalidia fritzei, Arthopyrenia caesia （= Xanthopyronia tichothecioides?) and other rare species. Rich Cladonietum occurs in heathland.

Not much time was available to work this area and it is suspected that interesting floras may occur on mica-schist on such hills as Beinn Buidhe and Clachan Hill which form the high ground above. There is much more work to be done throughout Glen Shira, including the woods on the west side of the glen west of Kilblaan. We were only able to spend one and a half days there, but one of us (FR) spent half a day there in September 1978 west of Drinlee (site 21), thereby increasing the total species list.


9. DA8O - Oak woodland on north shore of Loch Fyne between Drishaig-Dundarave Castle (also west to Strone Point). 27/15-10- **

Extensive oakwoods occur for about 3 miles along this part of the shore of Loch Fyne. Parts are clearly either secondary regrowth or old plantations, but other parts, especially east of Strone Point, are more ancient woodland. On card No 9 both sites are listed together, but species only recorded east of Strone Point have a double circle round the "C" for "corticolous species" added.

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The RIEC for the whole area is only 40, however, and only 54 epiphytes out of a total lichen count of 89 were recorded. The area, however, was only studied rather briefly at two points; further work might well increase these figures. This area seems to be beyond the range of significant acid rain pollution of the type discussed earlier. See also card No. 12 (DA83) for the list made east of Strone Point.


D. Inchmarnock and Bute

As Mr Peter Wormell of the Nature Conservancy Council (who was with us throughout the excursion) had the NCC boat with him, we were able to visit Inchmarnock and Bute.


24 and 25. DB95 & DB96 - Inchmarnock ** is an interesting and varied island with rocky shores, old grassland, scrub, basic flushes near the cliffs, old oak-hazel-sallow woodland, heath and farmland. The woodland in the south east is quite rich in lichens with a species-poor Lobarion present and an attenuated Parmelia laevigata-Sphaerophorus globosus association. Further south east there are mossy boulders and cliffs in woodland with Dryopteris aemula, Lepidozia pinnata and Hymenophyllun wilsoni; Salix carr is also of interest here. Around the farm there are very "southern" species present on walls that are near their northern limit - Buellia canescens and Physcia tribacia. Another southern species, rare in Scotland, is present on Corylus - Enterographa crassa. 197 lichens of which 77 are epiphytes were recorded; there are probably more. The RIEC value for the woodland is 45, which is quite high for such a small woodland. 89 bryophytes were recorded; there must be many more here. The mosses Tortella inclinata (new to Scotland) and Bryum alpinum are very interesting. A recently described species of Cladonia (C. fragilissima) was found to be abundant in two coastal sites.


26. DB97 - South Wood of Lemihuline on west coast of Northern Bute 26/00-69- *

This oak wood of oceanic type proved quite interesting, with 77 epiphytes and an RIEC of 55. It is probably primary woodland, though with few large trees, and is on rocky terrain with a deep stream ravine and a calcifuge ground flora. Both the Lobarion and the Parmelietum laevigatae are well developed. The shore rocks have a good range of The usual maritime species but nothing very exceptional is present.

Time did not allow us to visit the other old woodland in northern Bute at Balnakailly, but this is likely to be as good, if not better, as it is on a more sheltered north-east facing slope.


SUMMARY - CONSERVATION PROPOSALS

The Glen Shira complex is, in our view, of international status for its lichen vegetation alone, though of great importance for its general structure too. (Sites 10, 11, 18, 19 and 20 - 4 stars).

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Hells Glen (site 7) is of possible national status on lichenological grounds;
so is the series of woods, taken together, around the head of Loch Riddon (Sites 28, 33, 36 and 38) on lichenological, bryophytic and ecological grounds.
Site 1 (Rossdu House Park) is also of possible national importance for lichens.
Kilbride Bay (site 33) is also of possible national status for its remarkable shoreline lichen communities. These are given 3 stars.

Stuckgowan (site 2), North shore Loch Fyne (site 9), Coille Mheadhonach (sites 13 & 14) Loch Goil Woods south of beach (site 5), Glen Massan (site 16), Inchmarnock (sites 24 and 25), Strathlachlan (Tobar an Fhion and Garbhalt areas) (sites 22 and 23), Glendaruel Woods (sites 31 and 32) and Glenan Bay (site 35) all have importance lichenologically at the regional level (2 stars).

The other sites are of lesser importance: 3, 4, 15, 21, 26, 34 and 40 all have some degree of interest (1 star).

Sites 6, 8, 17, 27, 29, 30, 37 and 39 are not of any real importance.




P W JAMES
F ROSE
February 1978
Corrections and additions added February 1980. and June 1981.

Liverpool - Francis

 Fencepost of the Week #240

Googling 'Liverpool', 'Francis' and 'fencepost' gave good results - these look like No.4 type Francis Morton & Co. patent straining pillars. Noted as being sold particularly to railway companies - and these ones are on a railway embankment just outside of Oban.

 

This blog has a nice write up on them.

 

  

Awaiting

 Fencepost of the Week #239

Frosted moss awaiting sunrise while the little rowan tree is holding out for spring.

Liverworts on Special

 Fencepost of the Week #238

This rather recumbent fencepost has a special on liverworts right now.

Dark Green Finger of Post

 Fencepost of the Week #237

A tenacious little relict finger of fencepost, doggedly holding to its purpose.

Sphaerophorus

 Fencepost of the Week #236

A splendidly shaggy fencepost capped with Spaherophorus globosus - which is a lichen I don't often see on fenceposts.

Mystery Webs

 

You may find substantial, dense webs on fungi in autumn. These look quite like the tent-webs of some moth and sawfly larvae, but differ in occurring later in the year; enclosing a fungus instead of a food-plant; not being full of specks of caterpillar dung; you also rarely see any living (or dead) creatures, eggs or pupae in them.

The cleanness of the webs and the way they are restricted to a particular fungus might make you think you are looking at a grey, fuzzy mould.

To find out what was making these, I took a piece home and kept it in a vivarium. Checking on the vivarium in the middle of the night I spotted a small mealworm-like creature moving through the web, leaving a slime trail behind it. I caught it and put it in an empty enclosure where it soon started fervently weaving by bobbing its head back and forth at an impressive rate, extruding silk from spinnerets on its snout. In the morning, the new enclosure was full of webs, and the larva resting in the middle.

I believe these larvae are fungus gnats of the family Mycetophilidae - a large family of small, rather plain flies with thousands of described species, most of which lay their eggs on fungi. I haven't found much witten about the function of the webs: maintaining a humid atmosphere; excluding other small creatures; catching spores for consumption have all been mooted. The larvae also seem to be able to move smoothly and rapidly through their silk network.

Cup-lined Fissures

 Fencepost of the Week #235