The Cumbria Lichen and Bryophyte group is a self-study group for everyone interested in learning, recording, conserving or simply enjoying Cumbria’s lichens and bryophytes (regardless of experience) .
Please join us on a field trip and share your experiences with us on the Cumbria Lichens and Cumbria Bryophytes Facebook groups.
Here are our most recent blog posts:
- Troutdale bryophyte trip report 14 January 2026
Eight bryologists convened at the Bowder Stone car park, Borrowdale, on a cold mid-January day for the first meeting of 2026. A short walk warmed us up and brought us to the head of Troutdale, a small side valley with dramatic cliffs and densely wooded slopes. Whilst in 2023 CLBG visited Ashness Wood and Moss… Read more: Troutdale bryophyte trip report 14 January 2026 - Troutdale lichen trip report 14 January 2026
Troutdale is a small valley on the east side of Borrowdale immediately south of Lodore Falls. It is part of Lodore-Troutdale SSSI but not part of the Borrowdale Woods NNR. Oak woodland on the valley sides has developed on block scree and crags of Borrowdale Volcanic rock, and includes humid north facing slopes as well… Read more: Troutdale lichen trip report 14 January 2026 - Thirlmere lichen trip report 7 December 2025
After weeks of rain, all the lichens were soaking but we had a couple of dry hours at Thirlmere north of Launchy Gill before it got wet again. Our route passed through areas where the conifers had been felled and cleared. Quite a few of the remaining trees were blown over and the ground was… Read more: Thirlmere lichen trip report 7 December 2025 - Glencoyne Wood lichen trip report 14 November 2025
We met in a layby just north of Glenridding, and stepped into winter. Brrr! It was windy too. But a quick stroll along the road warmed us a little and then we were into the wood and the wind was forgotten. The bryo folk sped off upslope, leaving just us three lichenologists zig-zagging slowly uphill.… Read more: Glencoyne Wood lichen trip report 14 November 2025 - Borrowdale lichen trip report 19 October 2025
I know of three Cumbrian Borrowdales. The first, that we have visited repeatedly over the years, is justifiably famous for its lichens (as well as things like rain, tea bread, Yews and Gates). As for the second… well I’d never spent much time looking at its lichens, and neither had anyone else. So, on a… Read more: Borrowdale lichen trip report 19 October 2025