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:
- Keskadale bryophyte trip report 16 August 2025
Three bryologists joined the lichen party for the scenic walk from Little Town to Keskadale Farm. It was nice to be shown Ricasolia (Lobaria) virens and other big lichens on an ash pollard, but there were clearly numerous other interesting things to distract the lichenologists, so we left them to it and made our way… Read more: Keskadale bryophyte trip report 16 August 2025 - Hardknott bryophyte trip report 26 April 2025
April’s trip took us to Hardknott Forest, where members cheerily met along the banks of the River Duddon after winding trips over various mountain passes. The aim of the day was to explore Great Wood and the variety of surrounding habitats around the river. We were lucky enough to be joined by team members Jess,… Read more: Hardknott bryophyte trip report 26 April 2025 - Keskadale lichen report 16 August 2025
Over the years, we have developed a seasonal regime for our outings: woodlands in the winter and more open country in the summer. There was understandable discussion when Keskadale became the location for our August trip: would head-high bracken, voracious biting insects and spiky, malevolent gorse impede our access? And then there was the steepness… Read more: Keskadale lichen report 16 August 2025 - Kirkstone Trip Report 18 July 2025For our return visit to Kirkstone Pass, visiting expert Neil did say that some dampness would be nice and we were able to oblige with an hour or two of rain late morning after a cool start, with some late sunshine to start to dry us off. Standing in the beck to keep wet while… Read more: Kirkstone Trip Report 18 July 2025
- Dufton lichen report 15 June 2025
As part of the North Pennine ore fields, the geology of the western slopes of Dufton Fell is interesting – mineral-rich veins intruded into sedimentary layers (limestone, sandstone, shale, coal), all exposed in an upland valley. The Whin Sill (quartz-dolerite) is nearby and a few boulders of that were seen. Mining for lead started in… Read more: Dufton lichen report 15 June 2025