The non-bryological highlight of the day.
Sunday 4 September 2016
Twitchable Pylaisia
Just in case anyone feels like getting their eye in for Pylaisia, there's an easily visited colony at Clearwell Caves in the Forest of Dean. A youngish Ash just up from the play area supports extensive patches of this uncommon (but increasing) moss, with copious sporophytes at the moment. I'd recommend the caves too, not least because of the abundant moss around the underground lights (Eucladium, Gyroweisia and Rhynchostegiella noted, but there could well be others).
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Very nice Sam - one definitely worth calling in on next time I'm in the area. Did you have any luck finding wild boar? Hope you received my reply.
ReplyDeleteI didn't receive your reply, for some reason (my mobile is hopeless) but luckily we drove past a boar in Parkend and were able to turn the car round for stunning roadside views!
ReplyDeleteWell that certainly trumps my grass snake on Pengwern Common!
ReplyDeleteHey, glad you had such views. They're wonderful animals which clearly impact on woodland ecology and I'm sure there's a good debate to be had on positive and negative effects.
ReplyDeleteThere has been some debate about impacts on Wood White butterfly - not sure if any conclusion was reached.
ReplyDeleteI encountered a number of wild boar sounders in the Weinerwald several years ago where many individuals, particularly the big, fearless males, have become habituated. In the absence of natural predators, and even with culling, populations become large and have significant effects on the ecology of woodland and other habitats (including gardens) nearby. As with all introductions, there's a thin line between novelty and nightmare. The good news is that they don't seem to be eating Pylaisia.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Sam.