Paul's Blog - All comments and views are my own,

I thought I had better at least try and identify the three Lichens I photographed in the last Blog, well I've established something... its not easy trying to remember detail. First a little about lichens. Lichens are unique in being composed of two organisms, algae and fungi which forms a close symbiotic association, symbiosis is a prolonged permanent contact between dissimilar organisms. In the case of lichen both the algae and fungi coexist in a state of controlled parasitism, one does not deprive the other of nutrients....nature is a clever master. Without reposting the photographs, the first shows a Yellow lichen and a Grey lichen, the Yellow one is a Xanthoria sp, probably X Parietina. And that's all you're getting for now, I'll pass to an expert!

I'm always impressed at the vast array of wildlife we have on our doorstep, although most people only see the "big stuff". One of the comments I hear, especially if talking to someone who is not behaving responsibly on the nature reserve, is "its just barren land, there's nothing here", after an intake of breath I try and explain why the site(s) is so important, hopefully something big will appear to show them there is life out there!. At this time of year it would appear that its "just barren land..." but when you look closer.... All I need to do now is identify them...............