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:
- 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 - Glasson Moss bryophyte trip report 17 September 2025
Our September trip was to Glasson Moss with the aim of enjoying some sphagnum practice at one of the best examples of a lowland raised bog in Cumbria (and perhaps all of England!). Three group members (Josie, Ryan and Clare) were joined by the West Cumbria Rivers Trust (WCRT) and their cohort of new apprentices,… Read more: Glasson Moss bryophyte trip report 17 September 2025 - 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