New Species - Parmotrema perlatum

Another Lichen species confirmed after I checked the underside of the lobes to see the tan colour at the edges and also applied some bleach to the medulla check for colour change of which there was none. Prior to those tests it could have been from the Hypotrachyna genus but that would be black underneath to the edges of the lobes and would turn fleetingly red with bleach. Phew - this Lichen stuff is getting difficult.

Short hibernation?

Or possibly hibernation interrupted. I was surprised that the Lesser Horseshoe Bat that frequents our shed was still apparently active in late November but then it disappeared in the last week of that month so I assumed it had gone off to find a hibernation spot. I was even more surprised to find it back on February 9th. It may be that it is hibernating somewhere deeper into the shed and has just reacted to some unseasonably warm weather this winter. It has rather interrupted my plan to clean out the shed. Photo is an old one as I don't want to disturb it unduly.

New Species - Candelariella concolor

Another yellowish Lichen which has been confirmed is Candelariella concolor which has been found largely in the South and West but is increasing its range as SO2 pollution declines. It was on Hawthorn.

New Species - Xanthoria parietina (Common Orange Lichen)

I am now ploughing my way through lichen samples on a collection of Hawthorn, Ash and Apple twigs and discovering a whole bunch of new species with the help of the Dobson lichen id book, but some still need confirmation. This is one I am confident of and there is plenty of it around. It is a Foliose lichen with little 'jam tart' like fruits.

Flock of Redwings

I have seen Redwings here before but this morning there was a whole flock in the East Field - around 30 I would say. Also foraging with them a group of Chaffinches - the same lot I guess that are usually on the feeder.

Pond #3 - under construction

The first pond was not designed as well as it could have been so is a bit unsightly and inefficient (although the wildlife don't seem to mind that much). However the many sharp hooved and clawed animals visiting have torn the strong lining and so the pond no longer holds the water it did originally. I am constructing another pond in the same field and again converting an area damaged by construction of a Quad Bike feature by the previous owners. This time I am using Bentonite to create an impermeable membrane although the expert doing the bulk of the work is strongly suggesting that a stone layer sealed by a form of concrete is a must. The photo shows the pond in construction. Pond #2 is a small rigid lined pond intercepting our spring that flows when it rains. I think it is mainly favoured by flies rather than any higher form of aquatic animal.

New Species - Phaeographis smithii

My Lichen course on Saturday produced some new species for The Beeches based on the Hawthorn twigs I took along. Perhaps the pick of them (based on the interest of the tutor) is Phaeographis smithii. There is a similar species and once my Lichen guide arrives I'll hopefully be able to tell the difference myself.