Did Temperate Rainforest once extend to the slopes of Ingleborough?  Climate conditions indicate that it could have done. In fragments of ancient woodland on the Ingleborough National Nature Reserve, due to the damp mild conditions, fascinating epiphytes can be observed – those are mosses, lichens and liverworts which are often overlooked.  Though smaller and more subtle than their Celtic cousins, these species are still interesting and beautiful, and walk leader Judith Allinson will bring hand lenses so that we can observe them more closely. 

Learn about the Wood Pasture that would have characterised this region 5000 years ago, and what Wild Ingleborough is doing to restore biodiversity to the landscape.

This event is organised by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust - there will be a small charge of about £8 - More details and to book click here.   The event time  (6:15-8:45pm)  is arranged so that people who wish can come by train to Ribblehead Station can do so.  

Sorby Natural History Society (Sheffield)

Lichen Meeting to Winnats Pass, Castleton, Hope Valley, Derbyshire

contact: Steve Price, email: lichenrecords@sorby.org.uk

On this meeting we will spend time looking at the lichens of the outcrops and boulders in the upper parts of this spectacular gorge in the reef limestones.

Meet at 10.30am at grid ref. SK127829 in the lay-by parking areas on the road between the top of Winnats Pass and the road to Blue John Mine. On the OS maps this is the road shown as being to the east of ‘Windy Knoll’. Note: please do park only in the marked areas and DO NOT PARK on the verge behind the double yellow lines – parking fine tickets seem to be regularly issued for this.

BLS Members, of any level of experience, are most welcome. Bring a hand lens, note book and field guides. The plan is for a full-day meeting so do bring along a drink and lunch.

NOTE: Change of meeting place

Sorby Natural History Society (Sheffield) - Lichen Meeting to Bonsal Mines

contact: Steve Price, email: lichenrecords@sorby.org.uk

The meeting place for the 5 Sept Sorby Lichen Meeting to Bonsall Mines has changed. 

Please meet at grid ref SK254583 on Blakemere Lane immediately to the west of Bonsall Moor Lane. Blakemere Lane is an unmade road with wide pull off areas near to the junction. Meet at 11.00am. 

This is 2.5 km north west of the hamlet of Slaley. Bonsall Moor Lane and Blakemere Lane are both named as such on the 1:25k OS map. 

Steve Price will be at the original meeting point in the Via Gellia at 10.30 in case anyone arrives there and I will then drive up to Blakemere Lane for 11.00. 

The reason for the change is that on today's recce visit the very steep path through the woodland was wet and very slippery. Steve is unwilling to lead a group on that path. There is a high risk that someone will hurt themselves. 

It is further to walk from the new meeting point however the walk is all on the level.

With only a handful of records the lead rakes and spoil heaps of this disused lead mine area have been very much under studied.

Parking near the site is extremely limited so it means us parking in the Via Gellia and walking up through the daleside woodlands. This will require extreme discipline otherwise we will never make it through the woods to reach to the mine site!

Meet at 10.30am at grid ref. SK269566 in the layby on the A5012, the Via Gellia. This is about 3.5km from Cromford. Travelling from that direction the layby is on the left hand-side shortly after the ‘Tufa House’ which is on the right. Coming from the Grangemill direction it is on the right hand-side about 1km after the right turn to Middleton.

As always beginners are most welcome as are Members wishing to study areas of interest other than lichens. Bring a hand lens, note book and field guides. The plan is for a full-day meeting so do bring along a drink and lunch.

Sorby Natural History Society (Sheffield)

Lichen Meeting to Pilsbury Castle Hills, Upper Dove Valley

Tuesday 25 July 2023 (note the change of date from 4 July as originally notified)

Leader: Steve Price, email: lichenrecords@sorby.org.uk

The limestone outcrops on the valley side above Pilsbury Castle promise to give us a rich set of lichens in this under-recorded area.

Meet at 10.30am at grid ref. SK125644 on the minor road to Pilsbury Lodge. It is a narrow road used by farm traffic so please park well onto the road verge. Note, at the time of writing the unmade road up the valley-side from Pilsbury village is closed to traffic. The site is about 6 miles south-east from the outskirts of Buxton.

As always beginners are most welcome as are Members wishing to study areas of interest other than lichens. Bring a hand lens, note book and field guides. The plan is for a full-day meeting so do bring along a drink and lunch.

Sorby Natural History Society (Sheffield)

Lichen Meeting to Reeve Edge Quarries, Danebower

Saturday 17 June 2022

Leader: Steve Price, email: lichenrecords@sorby.org.uk

This upland area near the head of the River Dane was until the early 20^th century the site of coal mining and quarrying activity – the quarries being for the production of sandstone roofing slates. There has been very little recording activity here and the extensive spoil heaps and outcrops in heather / acid grassland surroundings together with the river (more like a brook at this point) promise a rewarding day for both lichens and invertebrates.

This meetig is joint with the Sorby Invertebrate Group.

Meet at 10.30am at the lay-by car park on the A54 Buxton to Congleton road – grid ref SK007698. This is about 4 miles south-west from the outskirts of Buxton.

As always beginners are most welcome as are Members wishing to study areas of interest other than lichens and invertebrates. Bring a hand lens, note book, field guides and usual field kit. This is an upland site and clothing adequate for wet and cold weather should be worn. The plan is for a full day meeting so do bring along a drink and lunch.

Sorby Natural History Society (Sheffield)

Meeting to Newstead Abbey, Nottinghamshire

Tuesday 9th May 2023

contact: Steve Price, email: lichenrecords@sorby.org.uk

Leaders: Craig Levy, Jim Flanagan

Last September's visit to the parkland and gardens of Newstead Abbey scarcely scratched the surface of the lichen interest and revealed potential for recording many more interesting invertebrates. This visit, joint with the Sorby Invertebrate Group, will enable us to visit areas not looked at last year and hopefully record many early season invertebrate species to add to the site list.

Nottingham City Council who own the Abbey and grounds are keen for us to record on the site and will offer free access for attendees whose names are provided beforehand. So if by 30 April attendees can let Steve Price know of their intention to attend free entry should be able to be organised. Otherwise the normal entry fee of £6.00 per car will apply or £2.00 per person if entering on foot.

Newstead Abbey is towards the south-east of the Sorby Recording area about 5km south of the outskirts of Mansfield. Meet at 10.30am at the main car park (grid ref. SK541540). The entrance gate to the property is on the A60 at Ravenshead (grid ref. SK556545).

As always beginners are most welcome as are Members wishing to study areas of interest other than lichens and invertebrates. The plan is for a full day meeting so do bring along a drink and lunch (as well as the obligatory hand-lens, note-book, pooter, pots and sweep-net!)

Bristol and Gloucestershire Lichen Group meeting to explore lichens at Troopers Hill, Bristol

The meetings normally begin at 11am and last until 4pm, but for more details contact David Hill on davidlichenhill@gmail.com

Details of the group can be found on the local group pages here:

https://britishlichensociety.org.uk/local-groups/bristol-gloucestershire

Bristol and Gloucestershire Lichen Group meeting to Frampton Cotterell Church

Location: GR ST667819 Post Code BS36 2AB, street parking is available close by

The meetings normally begin at 11am and last until 4pm, but for more details contact David Hill on davidlichenhill@gmail.com

Details of the group can be found on the local group pages here:

https://britishlichensociety.org.uk/local-groups/bristol-gloucestershire

Bristol and Gloucestershire Lichen Group meeting to explore Hen Wood, near Sapperton

The meetings normally begin at 11am and last until 4pm, but for more details contact David Hill on davidlichenhill@gmail.com

Details of the group can be found on the local group pages here:

https://britishlichensociety.org.uk/local-groups/bristol-gloucestershire

Bristol and Gloucestershire Lichen Group meeting at Severn Beach

The exact timings of the meeting will be dependent on the tides.

For more details of the meeting contact David Hill on davidlichenhill@gmail.com

Details of the group can be found on the local group pages here:

https://britishlichensociety.org.uk/local-groups/bristol-gloucestershire