Rhododendron clearance pioneer bryophytes

Today I stopped to take a very quick look at an area on the valley sides of Cwmdulais (SN618035), which were cleared of dense stands of Rhododendron ponticum four years ago. Vascular plants seem very slow in recolonising and the ground was found to be largely dominated by bryophytes, with the most abundant species being Ceratodon purpureus and Polytrichum juniperinum, with frequent Atrichum undulatum, Bryum capillare, Campylopus introflexus, Cephaloziella divaricata, Dicranella heteromalla, Pogonatum aloides and Polytrichastrum formosum. No surprises, but a good indication of the pioneer bryophyte assemblage which develops following ‘Rhody’ clearance on open hillsides. For reference the adjacent vegetation on non-affected slopes is principally Bracken-dominated, though there are some signs of this slowly re-establishing in cleared areas.

Polytrichum juniperinum

Ceratodon purpureus & Dicranella heteromalla

Interestingly Yellowhammers still occupy the Rhody areas, both cleared and dense stands, and we saw 7+ nearby in Sandra's aunties garden.

Pont-lliw breakers yard

Part of yesterday was spent in the lorry breakers yard in Pont-lliw doing a walkover inspection to check for signs of Otters and bats! This gave me the opportunity to do some less rushed bryo-recording than of late and I managed to log 66 taxa at the site. 17 were new to SN60A taking its total to 113. There was nothing to get particularly excited about, the most prominent species being both Barbula convoluta vars, Didymodon fallax and Cratoneuron filicinum. The slightly more interesting records included:  

Two small patches of Climacium dendroides in the yard area and Amblystegium serpens found this engine block to it's liking:

Cryphaea heteromalla was growing luxuriantly on some concrete pipe sections:

Leptodictyum riparium was growing well and fruiting on old tyres in a ditch:

However, this Archidium-sized moss defeated me and I wonder if anyone has any suggestions? It was growing on almost clay-like duff. I’m suspecting it’s young growth of something familiar, but I can’t place it. The strong nerve extends to just below the leaf tip.