BBS Summer Meeting 2017: Applecross, Scotland

MeetingReport

soon disrupted by the ravenous midges. During the week we had possibly a record number (26) of attendees for a summer meeting in Scotland, most of whom stayed the whole week: David Bell, Neil Bell, Tom Blockeel, Agneta Burton, David Chamberlain, David BBS Summer meeting 2017: Genney, Rory Hodd, Nick Hodgetts, Aline Horwath, Liz Kungu, Mark Lawley, David Week 2 Long, Phil Lusby, Peter Martin, Sean O’Leary, Stan Phillips, Mark Pool, Chris Preston, Gordon Rothero, Jeff Scott, Julie Smith and Matt Applecross, Scotland 22 July - 28 July Stribley. We especially welcomed four overseas participants, Isuru Kuriyawasam from Sri Lanka, David Long reports on last year’s Summer Meeting on the Applecross Peninsula Thomas Kiebacher from Switzerland, Michael Lüth from Germany and Senta Stix from Austria. Most of the Applecross peninsula is a large estate of 26,000 hectares run by a charity, the Applecross Trust. The estate is managed for a range of activities including conservation and

catered in the annexe and main building and for he Applecross Peninsula (v.-c. 105) is rFig. 1. Morning view of Skye from Bealach na Ba. M. Lüth. sFig. 2. Bryologists at Hartfield House: 1, Phil Lusby; 2, Mark evening meals the top destination soon became roughly triangular in shape and lies on Pool; 3, Isuru Kuriyawasam; 4, Jeff Scott; 5, Chris Preston; the excellent Walled Garden Restaurant in the 6, Liz Kungu; 7, Aline Horwath; 8, Gordon Rothero; 9, the coast of Wester Ross opposite the coastal woodlands including Atlantic Hazel with grounds of Applecross House, though on some David Long; 10, Neil Bell; 11, David Chamberlain; 12, Sean Tislands of Raasay and Skye. One of its many their oceanic bryophytes, and several ravines, days a number of people self-catered and others O’Leary; 13, Matt Stribley; 14, Senta Stix; 15, David Bell; charms is its relative isolation from the rest of the only two of which had been surveyed in detail 16, Thomas Kiebacher; 17, Peter Martin; 18, Tom Blockeel; made the longer walk to the Applecross Inn to Highlands, due to the need to cross one of the (for their hydro-electric potential). Probably 19, Mark Lawley; 20, Agneta Burton; 21, Stan Phillips; eat outdoors while enjoying the splendid views, highest road passes in Scotland, the Bealach na the icing on the cake would be the spectacular 22, Rory Hodd; 23, Michael Lüth. Not included: David though it has to be said that those pleasures were Genney, Nick Hodgetts, Julie Smith. Photo: M. Lüth. Ba (Pass of the Cattle) which rises to over 2000 mountains and big corries, most easily accessed feet in a series of very steep hairpin bends – a from the Bealach na Ba and also by a longer walk breathtaking journey from Kishorn, and from into Coire na Poite to see the special oceanic- the pass revealing a magnificent panorama of montane liverworts. the peninsula and views to the Inner Hebrides. Another attraction of Applecross for a Until a new coast road was opened in 1975 field meeting is the large hostel, Hartfield from Torridon to the north, the pass was the House, offering reasonably priced shared only way in to Applecross, which still retains its accommodation in the annexe building and aura of secrecy and isolation, though the road is more comfortable rooms in the main house. It now creaking under the strains of tourist traffic. was good to have everyone staying in one place. Previously only partly surveyed for bryophytes, We also had the use of the spacious ‘studio’ and never visited by the BBS, the peninsula building where microscopes and books were offered much scope for this meeting, with set up for lab sessions. For breakfasts we self-

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FieldBryology No117 | May17 17 MeetingReport

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FieldBryology No117 | May17 17 r Fig. 3. Carnach Hazel Wood. D. Long. rFig. 4. Julie Smith and Aline Horwath by Allt Coire na public access and manages a network of public though some fine cushions ofAntitrichia Hygrohypnum subeugyrium. This was found Poite. S. Phillips. sFig. 5. Anastrophyllum donnianum in footpaths. Informative leaflets on walks and curtipendula and Loeskeobryum brevirostre were again in three more places later in the week and Coire na Poite. R. Hodd. trails, geology, wildlife etc. are available locally. notable, especially for those unfamiliar with was identified by Thomas Kiebacher. Although In the north of the estate are several large native the West Highlands. Other species included never officially added to the British checklist, it woodland restoration projects. The estate was Harpanthus scutatus found by Mark Lawley, had in fact been recorded from Sunart in vc 97 very welcoming and gave us unrestricted access Plagiochila spinulosa and P. bifaria. Tom Blockeel by the American bryologist David Jamieson in throughout, a considerable bonus for the looked carefully at the genus Ulota in the light his monographic doctoral thesis in 1976. A full organiser! of recent taxonomic revision, and concluded account of this moss in Britain will be published that apart from the common U. bruchii, *Ulota in Journal of Bryology. The moss is distinctive in * Signifies new record for Wester Ross vc 105. intermedia (which he found here) was the most its neat blackish patches on rocks in and beside frequent member of the Ulota crispa aggregate streams. In the Allt Beag valley Ulota intermedia was again seen and Campylopus subulatus was Saturday 22 July. Arrival in Applecross. *Pseudephemerum nitidum and Participants gradually arrived in Applecross *Fossombronia pusilla were both found by Liz found on a track by Nick Hodgetts, along with during the afternoon and early evening, many on damp disturbed soil. We took lunch by the Archidium alternifolium, Pohlia bulbifera and crossing the Bealach na Ba for the first time, restored Hebridean barns beside the woodland. Trichodon cylindricus. Matt added *Cololejeunea though the two with the longest journey, from The afternoon set the pattern for the rest minutissima as a new vice-county record, Devon and Cornwall, had to do this in the dark of the week, with division of recording effort growing on Ulex stems. On the way back an area as they suffered a breakdown on the way but into smaller groups, one led by David Long of bog contributed many novelties to the card, thankfully arrived late at night safe and sound. and the other by Gordon Rothero, though at such as Cephalozia pleniceps, Sphagnum affine times these groups subdivided further. David’s and Scorpidium cossonii. But a double treat was enjoyed in the Walled Garden itself - *Riccia Sunday 23 July. The Applecross area group followed the Applecross River upstream After long journeys a car-free day seemed from the Bay through the estate policies, then glauca, R. sorocarpa and *R. subbifurca found appropriate, and for the morning excursion we up the south bank of the Allt Beag before together on disturbed soil behind the garden wall stayed as one group with a leisurely walk round diverting back via the old kennels to the Walled by Chris and Matt, then some unprogrammed Applecross Bay to the village where we gave Garden. A nice stand of Anthoceros punctatus refreshments in the restaurant. Carnach Hazelwood just behind the campsite near the river was much admired, while David Gordon’s group explored the more promising- a thorough examination. Because of too much Chamberlain first collected what turned out looking valley (but with no prospect of disturbance by Red Deer the flora was limited, to be one of the best discoveries of the week, refreshments), the Allt Mor above Hartfield

18 FieldBryology No119 | May18 FieldBryology No119 | May18 19 r Fig. 3. Carnach Hazel Wood. D. Long. rFig. 4. Julie Smith and Aline Horwath by Allt Coire na public access and manages a network of public though some fine cushions ofAntitrichia Hygrohypnum subeugyrium. This was found Poite. S. Phillips. sFig. 5. Anastrophyllum donnianum in footpaths. Informative leaflets on walks and curtipendula and Loeskeobryum brevirostre were again in three more places later in the week and Coire na Poite. R. Hodd. trails, geology, wildlife etc. are available locally. notable, especially for those unfamiliar with was identified by Thomas Kiebacher. Although In the north of the estate are several large native the West Highlands. Other species included never officially added to the British checklist, it woodland restoration projects. The estate was Harpanthus scutatus found by Mark Lawley, had in fact been recorded from Sunart in vc 97 very welcoming and gave us unrestricted access Plagiochila spinulosa and P. bifaria. Tom Blockeel by the American bryologist David Jamieson in throughout, a considerable bonus for the looked carefully at the genus Ulota in the light his monographic doctoral thesis in 1976. A full organiser! of recent taxonomic revision, and concluded account of this moss in Britain will be published that apart from the common U. bruchii, *Ulota in Journal of Bryology. The moss is distinctive in * Signifies new record for Wester Ross vc 105. intermedia (which he found here) was the most its neat blackish patches on rocks in and beside frequent member of the Ulota crispa aggregate streams. In the Allt Beag valley Ulota intermedia was again seen and Campylopus subulatus was Saturday 22 July. Arrival in Applecross. *Pseudephemerum nitidum and Participants gradually arrived in Applecross *Fossombronia pusilla were both found by Liz found on a track by Nick Hodgetts, along with during the afternoon and early evening, many on damp disturbed soil. We took lunch by the Archidium alternifolium, Pohlia bulbifera and crossing the Bealach na Ba for the first time, restored Hebridean barns beside the woodland. Trichodon cylindricus. Matt added *Cololejeunea though the two with the longest journey, from The afternoon set the pattern for the rest minutissima as a new vice-county record, Devon and Cornwall, had to do this in the dark of the week, with division of recording effort growing on Ulex stems. On the way back an area as they suffered a breakdown on the way but into smaller groups, one led by David Long of bog contributed many novelties to the card, thankfully arrived late at night safe and sound. and the other by Gordon Rothero, though at such as Cephalozia pleniceps, Sphagnum affine times these groups subdivided further. David’s and Scorpidium cossonii. But a double treat was enjoyed in the Walled Garden itself - *Riccia Sunday 23 July. The Applecross area group followed the Applecross River upstream After long journeys a car-free day seemed from the Bay through the estate policies, then glauca, R. sorocarpa and *R. subbifurca found appropriate, and for the morning excursion we up the south bank of the Allt Beag before together on disturbed soil behind the garden wall stayed as one group with a leisurely walk round diverting back via the old kennels to the Walled by Chris and Matt, then some unprogrammed Applecross Bay to the village where we gave Garden. A nice stand of Anthoceros punctatus refreshments in the restaurant. Carnach Hazelwood just behind the campsite near the river was much admired, while David Gordon’s group explored the more promising- a thorough examination. Because of too much Chamberlain first collected what turned out looking valley (but with no prospect of disturbance by Red Deer the flora was limited, to be one of the best discoveries of the week, refreshments), the Allt Mor above Hartfield

18 FieldBryology No119 | May18 FieldBryology No119 | May18 19 BBS Summer Meeting 2017 - Applecross Peninsula

House, which included quite extensive native in a wonderful amphitheatre of crags below the woodland yielding a good list of noteworthy summit of Beinn Bhan. Some of us had visited bryophytes. Michael Lüth found Bryum in 1988 and knew what to expect - a bryological riparium in rock crevices by the burn, while feast, and perhaps even some additional rFig. 6 Radula aquilegia in Coire na Poite. S. Phillips. a fine representation of oceanic liverworts records. Of greatest interest was a wealth of included Anastrepta orcadensis, Aphanolejeunea large liverworts - those extra to yesterday’s were microscopica, Bazzania tricrenata, Colura Anastrophyllum donnianum, Bazzania pearsonii, calyptrifolia, Drepanolejeunea hamatifolia, Mastigophora woodsii, Plagiochila carringtonii, Frullania teneriffae, Herbertus hutchinsiae, Scapania nimbosa, S. ornithopodioides and the Mylia taylorii and Pleurozia purpurea. The not-so-large Sphenolobopsis pearsonii. Rory was mosses Dicranum scottianum, Ulota hutchinsiae, bowled over by the quantity of S. nimbosa in Sphagnum contortum, S. teres and S. warnstorfii the coire, much more than he had ever seen added to an excellent species list. By the end of elsewhere. Racomitrium macounii was abundant the week most of these specialities had been seen by the waterfalls on the way up. Lophozia repeatedly and became familiar to all. wenzelii was found by Mark Lawley by one of the lochans, Bryum muehlenbeckii was found Monday 24 July. High ground - the Beinn by Rory on a large rock by the outflow, and Bhan range the oceanic-montane mosses Arctoa fulvella, Yesterday’s good weather was set to continue so Dicranodontium asperulum and D. uncinatum, a mountain day was opportune, and Gordon’s Herziogiella striatella, Isopterygiopsis muelleriana large group set off north from Drochaid Mor and I. pulchella, Paraleptodontium recurvifolium, along a stalker’s path, following the Allt Coire Oxystegus hibernicus were all impressive in the na Poite up to the lower Lochan Coire na Poite coire. Molendoa warburgii was duly refound, as then to the upper ones of the same name, set were the flush species Scapania uliginosa and the

sFig. 10. Coire na Chaorachain from above. M. Lüth.

r(Left) Fig. 7. Scapania nimbosa. M. Lüth. r(right) Fig. 8. Plagiochila carringtonii. M. Lüth. sFig. 9. Bazzania pearsonii with Pleurozia. M. Lüth.

20 FieldBryology No119 | May18 FieldBryology No119No119 || May18May18 21 BBS Summer Meeting 2017 - Applecross Peninsula

sFig. 10. Coire na Chaorachain from above. M. Lüth.

r(Left) Fig. 7. Scapania nimbosa. M. Lüth. r(right) Fig. 8. Plagiochila carringtonii. M. Lüth. sFig. 9. Bazzania pearsonii with Pleurozia. M. Lüth.

20 FieldBryology No119 | May18 FieldBryology No119No119 || May18May18 21 rFig. 13. Rory Hodd getting close to Plagiobryum zieri Slochd na Beinne. S. Phillips. A smaller group led by David took advantage This specimen differs slightly from some other of the continuing good weather for another Scottish specimens and DNA sequencing is being rFig. 11. Searching for Sphagnum beothuk in the rain. S. Phillips. sFig 12. Sphagnum beothuk. D. Long mountain day in the Beinn Bhan range, this used at RBG Edinburgh to see if two taxa are elusive Moerckia hibernica found here in 2009 by time parking at Drochaid Coire nan Arr, then involved. Peter Martin had an excellent find of Maren Flagmeier. following the valley up to Loch Coire nan Arr, Dicranum flexicaule, later confirmed by Gordon. The smaller but equally enthusiastic group before heading up into Coire a’ Chaorachain, As we scrambled upwards, now-familiar oceanic took advantage of a much shorter walk from the to the lochan some of us had looked down on liverworts came into view at eye level, particularly car park at 630 m just north-west of the Bealach yesterday from above. In the lower part of the Bazzania pearsonii, Mastigophora woodsii and na Ba, following the track up to the summit of coire Sphagnum molle with its whitish tinged pink Plagiochila carringtonii. Metzgeria leptoneura was Sgurr a’ Chaorachain then traversing the plateau colour was much admired and photographed. a good find in a wet rock crevice, and the tiny to a small lochan (where a dip was enjoyed by We followed a lovely ravine up the slope with Glyphomitrium daviesii was both expected and one German and one Scottish bryologist) before lots of wet rocks and crevices. Michael found located tucked away in a rock crevice. dropping down into the upper part of Coire Bryum muehlenbeckii in a typical habitat in a In the upper coire we enjoyed lunch with a nan Arr. The rock terraces and boulders near crevice in rocks by the burn, and soon after Rory splendid panorama, then bryologists dispersed the track were surprisingly good, and we found and David found several cushions of what may in all directions to study the upper slopes. Rory many of the large oceanic liverworts seen by the be Bryum dixonii, but awaiting confirmation. found Orthotrichum cupulatum on rocks by the others in Coire na Poite, but with the addition s(Left) Fig. 14. Douinia ovata in Slochd na Beinne. R Hodd. s(Right) Fig. 15. Dicranodontium uncinatum and Herbertus of Haplomitrium hookeri and Moerckia blyttii hutchinsiae. S. Phillips. amongst boulders. Marsupella sphacelata and who opted for a lowland day exploring the rocky Lophozia opacifolia were conspicuous in a small coast and woodland around Toscaig. It turned runnel with Campylopus gracilis, Arctoa fulvella out to be hard work, with passage impeded and a little Hylocomiastrum umbratum found by by deer fences and other obstacles, but very Nick nearby and on the upper slopes of Coire respectable lists were nevertheless compiled, nan Arr Mastigophora woodsii and Herbertus including Schistidium maritimum, Dicranum hutchinsiae were very conspicuous. Finally, Nick scottianum, proving to be locally common added *Oxystegus daldinianus to the list for vc on coastal rocks, Racomitrium affine, and the 105 in a crevice on a dripping rock face. For liverworts Cephalozia catenulata, C. leucantha many in both groups, today was perhaps the and Cladopodiella fluitans in wetter habitats. outstanding highlight of the week. Bazzania tricrenata was found here at very low elevation. Nick found Harpanthus scutatus, and Tuesday 25 July. Toscaig coast and more high of course Tom more Ulota intermedia while Liz ground was thoroughly delighted to findHaplomitrium Due to vehicle woes, Gordon was excused for hookeri. In the car park by the pier Nick found the day, and Nick took over as leader of the 14 Campylopus subulatus again.

22 FieldBryology No119 | May18 FieldBryology No119 || May18May18 23 rFig. 13. Rory Hodd getting close to Plagiobryum zieri Slochd na Beinne. S. Phillips. A smaller group led by David took advantage This specimen differs slightly from some other of the continuing good weather for another Scottish specimens and DNA sequencing is being rFig. 11. Searching for Sphagnum beothuk in the rain. S. Phillips. sFig 12. Sphagnum beothuk. D. Long mountain day in the Beinn Bhan range, this used at RBG Edinburgh to see if two taxa are elusive Moerckia hibernica found here in 2009 by time parking at Drochaid Coire nan Arr, then involved. Peter Martin had an excellent find of Maren Flagmeier. following the valley up to Loch Coire nan Arr, Dicranum flexicaule, later confirmed by Gordon. The smaller but equally enthusiastic group before heading up into Coire a’ Chaorachain, As we scrambled upwards, now-familiar oceanic took advantage of a much shorter walk from the to the lochan some of us had looked down on liverworts came into view at eye level, particularly car park at 630 m just north-west of the Bealach yesterday from above. In the lower part of the Bazzania pearsonii, Mastigophora woodsii and na Ba, following the track up to the summit of coire Sphagnum molle with its whitish tinged pink Plagiochila carringtonii. Metzgeria leptoneura was Sgurr a’ Chaorachain then traversing the plateau colour was much admired and photographed. a good find in a wet rock crevice, and the tiny to a small lochan (where a dip was enjoyed by We followed a lovely ravine up the slope with Glyphomitrium daviesii was both expected and one German and one Scottish bryologist) before lots of wet rocks and crevices. Michael found located tucked away in a rock crevice. dropping down into the upper part of Coire Bryum muehlenbeckii in a typical habitat in a In the upper coire we enjoyed lunch with a nan Arr. The rock terraces and boulders near crevice in rocks by the burn, and soon after Rory splendid panorama, then bryologists dispersed the track were surprisingly good, and we found and David found several cushions of what may in all directions to study the upper slopes. Rory many of the large oceanic liverworts seen by the be Bryum dixonii, but awaiting confirmation. found Orthotrichum cupulatum on rocks by the others in Coire na Poite, but with the addition s(Left) Fig. 14. Douinia ovata in Slochd na Beinne. R Hodd. s(Right) Fig. 15. Dicranodontium uncinatum and Herbertus of Haplomitrium hookeri and Moerckia blyttii hutchinsiae. S. Phillips. amongst boulders. Marsupella sphacelata and who opted for a lowland day exploring the rocky Lophozia opacifolia were conspicuous in a small coast and woodland around Toscaig. It turned runnel with Campylopus gracilis, Arctoa fulvella out to be hard work, with passage impeded and a little Hylocomiastrum umbratum found by by deer fences and other obstacles, but very Nick nearby and on the upper slopes of Coire respectable lists were nevertheless compiled, nan Arr Mastigophora woodsii and Herbertus including Schistidium maritimum, Dicranum hutchinsiae were very conspicuous. Finally, Nick scottianum, proving to be locally common added *Oxystegus daldinianus to the list for vc on coastal rocks, Racomitrium affine, and the 105 in a crevice on a dripping rock face. For liverworts Cephalozia catenulata, C. leucantha many in both groups, today was perhaps the and Cladopodiella fluitans in wetter habitats. outstanding highlight of the week. Bazzania tricrenata was found here at very low elevation. Nick found Harpanthus scutatus, and Tuesday 25 July. Toscaig coast and more high of course Tom more Ulota intermedia while Liz ground was thoroughly delighted to findHaplomitrium Due to vehicle woes, Gordon was excused for hookeri. In the car park by the pier Nick found the day, and Nick took over as leader of the 14 Campylopus subulatus again.

22 FieldBryology No119 | May18 FieldBryology No119 || May18May18 23 rFig. 16. Searching for Bryum marratii at Meallabhan Bay. M. Lüth. rFig. 17. Bryum marratii. M. Lüth. lochan at 435 m, one of relatively few records of Trichostomum crispulum and Scapania aspera. the genus during the week (to the disappointment We then carried on a short distance up the track of some of the Orthotrichum enthusiasts). On to an area of wet heath by the river where the the higher slopes Scapania nimbosa and S. star attraction was Campylopus shawii, in some ornithopodioides were again conspicuous, and quantity, seen here earlier by Gordon, as well as Moerckia hibernica was expertly detected in C. brevipilus and some very handsome stands of a flush at 465 m by Aline after considerable fruiting Splachnum ampullaceum. On the way rFig. 18. Pete Martin and Sean O’Leary in Allt Tasabhaig ravine. G. Rothero. searching. Oxystegus daldinianus was found by back for an indoor lunch Preissia quadrata and Michael and Isopterygiopsis muelleriana by Rory. *Marchantia polymorpha subsp. polymorpha were including one from Applecross collected near aquilegia. Unfortunately, yesterday’s wet weather picked up on a wet conglomerate outcrop by the Loch an Eilean in 1952. After much searching had caused the river to rise considerably, making the bedraggled group finally struck gold and access very problematic, and the rain had still not Wednesday 26 July - free (and wet) day river, and Liz found Polytrichum commune var. Today had been designated a free day, and as perigoniale on the track. quite a number of hummocks of our quarry were stopped. They managed to get into the ravine at the good weather had come to an end and more After lunch another short excursion was eventually detected, a new species for most of the bottom end, and later half-way up, near the typical windy and rainy service had resumed, deemed possible in the wet weather, so we us. Several fine hummocks of Sphagnum austinii dramatic right-angle bend. However, though the some elected to stay in the lab and catch up decided to try to re-find a Sphagnum species were also seen. list of recorded species was shorter than it would on identifications. Others made a late start last seen here over 60 years ago in the big area Over the years Gordon seems to have quite have been under better conditions, the discovery and decided to explore the lower part of the of windswept bog and numerous lochans to the often arranged his birthday to happen during of Hygrohypnum subeugyrium by Thomas more broad valley leading up from Hartfield House south of the road leading up to the Bealach. a BBS summer meeting, so today ended on a than made up for this. Other good finds were - Strath Maolchalium - through which the Somehow the miserable weather and eerie calls very bright and convivial note with a splendid Gordon’s Andreaea megistospora and Peter’s River Applecross flows from the interior of the of Red-throated Divers suited the occasion birthday dinner (and magnificent cake made by Grimmia decipiens. A good selection of oceanic peninsula. The first port of call was a small disused in such a forlorn place. The Sphagnum in the chef) in the Walled Garden restaurant, which ravine liverworts was seen, notably Lepidozia limestone quarry on the edge of a coniferous question, recently described from eastern North accommodated our large group very comfortably. cupressina, Drepanolejeunea hamatifolia, plantation. Limestone is a rare commodity locally America, was S. beothuk, a segregate from its Metzgeria conjugata, Plagiochila punctata and and careful scrutiny came up with a long list of close ally Sphagnum fuscum, distinguished by Thursday 27 July. Two ravines and a venture Radula aquilegia. At their second attempt, calcicoles, many of which were not seen elsewhere several rather esoteric characters. Mark Hill had into the interior further up the ravine, Glyphomitrium daviesii and during the week, for example Bryoerythrophyllum recently undertaken the noble task of checking We chose two ravines for the penultimate day, Kiaeria blyttii were added, but when they decided ferruginascens, Didymodon spadiceus, Eucladium all available herbarium material of S. fuscum, and the first, chosen by Gordon’s group, was the to move to the more accessible open bog to the verticillatum, Gymnostomum aeruginosum, had discovered many Scottish specimens of S. River Toscaig ravine, surveyed in 1989 by south of the ravine they were rewarded with a Hymenostylium recurvirostrum, Tortella tortuosa, beothuk (the more oceanic of the two segregates) Ben Averis, who recorded the oceanic Radula second Applecross site for Sphagnum beothuk

24 FieldBryology No119 | May18 FieldBryology No119 | May18 25 rFig. 16. Searching for Bryum marratii at Meallabhan Bay. M. Lüth. rFig. 17. Bryum marratii. M. Lüth. lochan at 435 m, one of relatively few records of Trichostomum crispulum and Scapania aspera. the genus during the week (to the disappointment We then carried on a short distance up the track of some of the Orthotrichum enthusiasts). On to an area of wet heath by the river where the the higher slopes Scapania nimbosa and S. star attraction was Campylopus shawii, in some ornithopodioides were again conspicuous, and quantity, seen here earlier by Gordon, as well as Moerckia hibernica was expertly detected in C. brevipilus and some very handsome stands of a flush at 465 m by Aline after considerable fruiting Splachnum ampullaceum. On the way rFig. 18. Pete Martin and Sean O’Leary in Allt Tasabhaig ravine. G. Rothero. searching. Oxystegus daldinianus was found by back for an indoor lunch Preissia quadrata and Michael and Isopterygiopsis muelleriana by Rory. *Marchantia polymorpha subsp. polymorpha were including one from Applecross collected near aquilegia. Unfortunately, yesterday’s wet weather picked up on a wet conglomerate outcrop by the Loch an Eilean in 1952. After much searching had caused the river to rise considerably, making the bedraggled group finally struck gold and access very problematic, and the rain had still not Wednesday 26 July - free (and wet) day river, and Liz found Polytrichum commune var. Today had been designated a free day, and as perigoniale on the track. quite a number of hummocks of our quarry were stopped. They managed to get into the ravine at the good weather had come to an end and more After lunch another short excursion was eventually detected, a new species for most of the bottom end, and later half-way up, near the typical windy and rainy service had resumed, deemed possible in the wet weather, so we us. Several fine hummocks of Sphagnum austinii dramatic right-angle bend. However, though the some elected to stay in the lab and catch up decided to try to re-find a Sphagnum species were also seen. list of recorded species was shorter than it would on identifications. Others made a late start last seen here over 60 years ago in the big area Over the years Gordon seems to have quite have been under better conditions, the discovery and decided to explore the lower part of the of windswept bog and numerous lochans to the often arranged his birthday to happen during of Hygrohypnum subeugyrium by Thomas more broad valley leading up from Hartfield House south of the road leading up to the Bealach. a BBS summer meeting, so today ended on a than made up for this. Other good finds were - Strath Maolchalium - through which the Somehow the miserable weather and eerie calls very bright and convivial note with a splendid Gordon’s Andreaea megistospora and Peter’s River Applecross flows from the interior of the of Red-throated Divers suited the occasion birthday dinner (and magnificent cake made by Grimmia decipiens. A good selection of oceanic peninsula. The first port of call was a small disused in such a forlorn place. The Sphagnum in the chef) in the Walled Garden restaurant, which ravine liverworts was seen, notably Lepidozia limestone quarry on the edge of a coniferous question, recently described from eastern North accommodated our large group very comfortably. cupressina, Drepanolejeunea hamatifolia, plantation. Limestone is a rare commodity locally America, was S. beothuk, a segregate from its Metzgeria conjugata, Plagiochila punctata and and careful scrutiny came up with a long list of close ally Sphagnum fuscum, distinguished by Thursday 27 July. Two ravines and a venture Radula aquilegia. At their second attempt, calcicoles, many of which were not seen elsewhere several rather esoteric characters. Mark Hill had into the interior further up the ravine, Glyphomitrium daviesii and during the week, for example Bryoerythrophyllum recently undertaken the noble task of checking We chose two ravines for the penultimate day, Kiaeria blyttii were added, but when they decided ferruginascens, Didymodon spadiceus, Eucladium all available herbarium material of S. fuscum, and the first, chosen by Gordon’s group, was the to move to the more accessible open bog to the verticillatum, Gymnostomum aeruginosum, had discovered many Scottish specimens of S. River Toscaig ravine, surveyed in 1989 by south of the ravine they were rewarded with a Hymenostylium recurvirostrum, Tortella tortuosa, beothuk (the more oceanic of the two segregates) Ben Averis, who recorded the oceanic Radula second Applecross site for Sphagnum beothuk

24 FieldBryology No119 | May18 FieldBryology No119 | May18 25 BBS Summer Meeting 2017 - Applecross Peninsula BBS Summer Meeting 2017 - Applecross Peninsula

as well as S. austinii, Campylopus brevipilus, C. and the ravine itself proved excellent from the shawii, Cladopodiella fluitans and Odontoschisma word go, with Radula aquilegia and Plagiochila elongatum. exigua on the wet rock faces in the burn along The second group, led by David, visited with a feast of Lejeuneaceae: Aphanolejeunea another ravine called Slochd na Beinne, running microscopica, Colura calyptrifolia, Drepanolejeunea along a fault line parallel to, but north of the hamatifolia, Harpalejeunea molleri, Lejeunea Toscaig ravine, reaching the coast at Culduie. lamacerina and L. patens. Yet again, Tom found This was unknown bryologically but remarkably Ulota intermedia on the trees. Further up, crags it produced the highest number of taxa (164) above the stream added another member of the of all the week’s sites. As it was a smaller stream Lejeuneaceae, Marchesinia mackaii, the only than Toscaig, access was less daunting but the place it was seen during the week. In places rFig. 20. Campylopus shawii near Hartfield House.M. Lüth. continuing rain and a lot of splashing meant basic seepage supported a number of calcicoles, that we all got a thorough soaking. But it turned including Anoectangium aestivum, Gymnostomum austinii and S. beothuk. David, first made for the sandy Meallabhan out to be a wonderful site, for oceanic species in aeruginosum, Orthothecium intricatum and The third group, led by Liz, decided that Bay which offered coastal heath, sand dunes, particular but also for a number of calcicoles on Oxystegus daldinianus along with Herbertus ravines were not for them, so they chose to saltmarsh and Torridonian sandstone crags the calcareous seepage on rock outcrops. hutchinsiae and Rhabdoweisia crispata. Higher undertake a very long walk up the Applecross infiltrated by wind-blown sand up the slope. Before diving (almost literally) into the ravine, up the valley opened out into moorland and no River into a new hectad, reaching as far as We started in the small area of salt marsh, where Rory picked up *Sphagnum subnitens subsp. fewer than 16 species of Sphagnum were recorded, Lochan na h-Airige Riabhaich. There is a very Thomas promptly found Bryum* marratii, and ferrugineum, a plant he is familiar with in Ireland, including, in a more acidic expanse of mire, S. large area of ‘interior’ Applecross and this was the when the rest of us got our ‘eyes in’ it turned only group to begin to explore it. Needless to say, out to be quite abundant, a welcome novelty for sFig. 19. Fearnmore coast with Dicranum scottianum. M. Lüth. they got just as good a soaking as the raviners, our overseas guests. In the same area Archidium but recorded a very creditable 96 species for alternifolium was seen. On the wind-blown their pains. The highlight was the find by Liz sand we saw Syntrichia ruraliformis, Encalypta of a third site for Hygrohypnum subeugyrium, on streptocarpa and Bryum archangelicum, and in rocks in the river. Sphagnum molle was found a rock cleft on the crags was a small colony of in wet heath by Mark Pool, while on boulders Reboulia hemisphaerica, a rare plant in the West by the lochan he found the rare and recently Highlands. distinguished Hedwigia striata, the second record Meanwhile, Gordon, Mark Lawley, Sean and for Wester Ross. Nearby were the other boulder- Peter were tempted by a nearby ravine, the Allt loving species Antitrichia curtipendula, Grimmia Tasabhaig, which had been surveyed previously hartmanii, Orthotrichum rupestre and Ulota by Gordon. He reported later that in spite of hutchinsiae. Leiocolea bantriensis was recorded his immunity to midges from living in Argyll, in a flush, Conocephalum salebrosum by the river the Tasabhaig variety were the worst he had ever and Oxystegus tenuirostris var. holtii on wet rocks. encountered. In spite of this, all the expected tiny ravine Lejeuneaceae were seen (except for Friday 28 July. North coast Jubula hutchinsiae, recorded here in 2012), along Because up to now we had ignored the long with Radula aquilegia, Anastrophyllum minutum, stretch of coastline in the northern half of Isothecium holtii, Herbertus hutchinsiae and H. Applecross, today we attempted to remedy this stramineus and a fine stand ofParaleptodontium by splitting into four groups to cover as much recurvifolium, of which Mark Lawley was ground as possible. The largest group, led by especially thrilled to see such a magnificent carpet.

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2626 FieldBryology No119No119 | May18 FieldBryology No119 | May18 27 BBS Summer Meeting 2017 - Applecross Peninsula News and Society Business

The double-act of Peter and Sean collected both three bryologically unknown areas further along The BBS is managed by its Council, a friendly group which plays a crucial role in shaping Hygrohypnum eugyrium and H. subeugyrium, the the north coast of Applecross. They began with fourth Applecross site for the latter. After leaving a short foray to Loch na Creige, hoping to find the policies and activities of the Society. If you are a member of the BBS who values its the ravine (and the midges), they continued east some good epiphytes on the sheltered shores of contributions to the study of your favourite plants and would like to help shape its future into the next hectad at Loch nan Eun, where the loch, shown on the map as being surrounded initiatives, please consider standing for election to Council. All it involves is making an their best find wasPorella obtusata on rocks on by conifer plantation. After some initial effort to attend the twice yearly council meeting (usually one at AGM and one at the the loch margin at 315 m altitude; they also confusion they realised that the huge area of forest recorded Sphagnum austinii and Tetraplodon on the map was a figment of the cartographer’s spring meeting) plus occasional matters passed round by email. Also, Council members mnioides in a mire, and Odontoschisma elongatum imagination. Abandoning this place, they are the Trustees of the BBS. on the flushed loch margin. found Pohlia flexuosa on a roadside bank at The third group, Stan, Rory and Aline, had Arrina, and Harpanthus scutatus on wooded spotted a number of sea-caves marked on the coastal slopes. In the bay at Camas Ban they The New Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) map so decided on a day of speleo-bryology, in recorded Ulota intermedia on Salix and Lepidozia New Data Protection laws come into effect on 25th May. The BBS is working on policies and the hope of finding some cave-loving species. cupressina and Kurzia sylvatica on coastal rocks. documents to ensure that it complies with the regulations. The crucial intention of the law is that all Their main focus was on the coast and sea cave data relating to an individual are kept secure. The BBS Privacy Policy will be posted on the Society just north of the crofting settlement of Cuaig. Thanks to the hard work of all the participants, website when it has been approved by Council. The best cave-dwelling species they found was the meeting was a great success, combining visits Lophocolea fragans, new to Applecross. Other to some well-known sites where we enjoyed The BBS now needs permission from members to contact them (other than for routine, essential noteworthy species recorded in the area were some of the West Highland specialities which administration). There is a form enclosed with this issue ofField Bryology for you to complete. All Amblystegium serpens var. salinum, Dicranum many had made the long journey to see, along members must fill in and return either this form or the similar one which can be downloaded from bonjeanii, Drepanocladus polygamus and Tortella with a good number of ‘new’ sites, some of the website. flavovirens. Later they moved to the far north- which (particularly the Slochd na Beinne ravine) west of Applecross at Creag na h-Uamha (Crag turned out to be of great interest. The discovery TheJournal of Bryology: The new contract between the BBS and Taylor & Francis for the publication of the Cave) and found Radula aquilegia growing of Hygrohypnum subeugyrium in four places was of the Journal provides on-line access for all members. There is now the opportunity to choose on coastal rocks and in damp turf. very significant, and of the few new vice-county whether to receive the printed copies of the Journal as well. If you want the “hard copy” journal this David’s group followed the same coast road records, that of the rare Bryum marratii was will continue exactly as previously but you must indicate that you wish for it, on the same form. north, stopping for lunch by Loch Fada, where especially welcome. I would like to thank all Mark Pool picked up Fossombronia foveolata, the participants for attending the meeting and R.H. Carter, General Secretary, March 2018 then walking from Fearnmore out towards the their patience and good humour, also those who northern tip of Applecross at Rubha na Fearna. assisted by leading excursions, and all who sent in Crossing an area of wet heath, Campylopus their records and a very large number of excellent brevipilus was abundant and Liz picked up images, only a tiny fraction of which could be Election of Officers and Elected Members of Council Sphagnum angustifolium and Michael S. subnitens used. The Applecross Estate, particularly Michael The terms of the following Officers expire at the end of 2018: Treasurer, Editors Fieldof Bryology, subsp. ferrugineum (the second record). We Summers, is thanked for granting us unlimited Meetings Secretary, Education Officer, and Website Editor. The current holder of the post of Treasurer reached an attractive rocky coast with crags and access, and local botanist Gill Fairweather for has served for 10 years, the normal limit of tenure, and the Editors of Field Bryology do not wish to steep gullies. As expected, Dicranum scottianum helping in many ways, not least in the Walled stand again. The present incumbents of the other offices are eligible for re-election. was seen again, along with Lepidozia cupressina, Garden restaurant. Plagiochila bifaria and P. punctata. The Recorder for Liverworts resigned at the end of 2017; Council co-opted N.G. Hodgetts to fill the The fourth group, Tom Blockeel and David David Long position. The AGM will be asked to confirm this appointment. There are two vacancies for Elected Chamberlain, spent a very worthwhile day in e [email protected] Members, each to serve for a period of 3 years.

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