During a recent workshop for those folk interested in bryophytes we took the opportunity to do some recording from an area that had no previous records. This involved a scramble up a ravine – looking into every nook and cranny on the way for lurking mosses and liverworts. Once again I got to see many new species and my knowledge has mushroomed. Hopefully, my feet will not mushroom since I decided to keep my shoes and socks dry and wade bare foot in places. It was most refreshing wading thigh deep in plunge pools.
The photograph (courtesy of Sallie Jack) shows some of us at the bottom of this lovely waterfall. Further up the ravine we had the option of returning the way we had come or scrambling out and upwards. I chose the latter option and reflected that I am not just improving my identification skills but my nerve at dealing with perilous slopes is also becoming stronger. My love of natural history also benefits my fitness levels – which certainly beats attending a gym on a regular basis.
We saw some marvellous bryophytes such as Orthothecium rufescens which is quite a chunky moss tinged with pink. Bryum alpinum was present in beautiful wine-red cushions and then there were the miniscule species of liverwort such as Cololejeunea calcarea which were a bright yellow-green quietly sprawling about the rock and other bryophytes.
What I love about my placement is not just the opportunity to develop my expertise in bryophyte identification but also the chance encounters with other wildlife in the Scottish countryside. Being able to feel the soft fronds of beech fern or observe the bright orange glow of Bog Beacons amongst the gungy pools of Sphagna were a delight. Seeing an Argent and Sable moth for the first time in my life was a real thrill. (Photograph courtesy of Sallie Jack).
Mossing is fun all round – I thoroughly recommend it.