Today’s outing for the Strathclyde local group of the BLS was to a rather dreich Ardmore point near Cardross on the north side of the Firth of Clyde. A wee bit wet and the midges were out in force but some nice lichens and afterwards rhubarb tart and coffee at the nearby garden centre. #lichensgbi

I lead a lichen walk for local nature group this morning. I found Pannaria rubiginosa when I was doing my preparatory stroll around the route. First VC76 record since 1837. #lichensgbi

The Strathclyde Local Group of @britishlichensociety.org.uk went on a field trip to Knapps Loch near Kilmalcom. Lots of interesting micro-habitats that will make a return visit very likely. #lichengbi

Strathclyde BLS group went to Portencross in Ayrshire again. Lovely weather and a nice group of lichens found. I’ve not commented on lichen photos as I’ll be using them for my LABS group to identify tomorrow evening.

Bryoria fuscescens was a very pleasant surprise when I was recording in a monad a couple of miles from our house. #lichensgbi

Strathclyde Lichen Group headed a bit further north today to Glen Finglas and Little Druim wood. Nothing very exciting other than boulders near the visitor centre being covered in Placopsis gelida. Lovely C+ red reaction. #lichensgbi

One of the benefits of signing up for a Lichens for Absolute Beginners course with @britishlichensociety.org.uk is random photos of Ramalina fastigiata from friends and family. What more incentive is needed? #lichensgbi

BLS Strathclyde Lichen Group were at RSPB Lochwinnoch on Tuesday. I was on note taking duties so few photos. We will end up with over 60 species across 3 monads that are mostly water, reedbeds or “improved” grassland. Each monad now with 30 or more species recorded rather than none. #lichengbi

If you're interested in finding out more about lichens, do look at the British Lichen Society's (BLS) events page for walks, talks and more across the country over the next few months britishlichensociety.org.uk/the-society/...

Paisley Natural History Society lichen walk around part of Gleniffer Braes Country Park was held this morning. The group saw common crustose lichens on concrete and rocks, epiphytic foliose species and, of course, everyone’s favourite Cladonias and Peltigeras. #lichensgbi

First day out properly looking at lichens this year. Went to a nearby old quarry with lots of mossy trees and rock. Multiple layers to cope with cold but sun shone all day so lovely to be out. Details in alt text. #lichensgbi

Down in Dumfries and Galloway for birdwatching. At Ken Dee Marshes there was a ridiculously tame Robin, some very distant Greenland White-fronted Geese and a wall and post that made me glad I’d left the hand lens and chemicals at home. I would have lost hours…

I have some light reading to do over the next few weeks. A delivery worth waiting in for.

Dermatocarpon luridum from today’s Strathclyde Lichen Group outing at Balloch Castle. Not the best photo but I was leaning over a rock on my toes at full stretch trying not to get two bootfulls of cold Loch Lomond water.

I think these are Infundibulicybe geotropa - trooping funnel. However my fungi id relies on looking on the internet so I’m probably wrong. However they are huge (20cm dia) and if the temperature picks up will be gathered once “over” to search for beetles.

I've been preparing the lichen walk I do for the local natural history society. I couldn't find the tree that I knew had Coenogonium luteum but did manage to find some Normandina pulchella. After a few close encounters with brambles I did find the C. luteum. All 15 minutes walk from home.