Oak, but the coppice vegetation was too dense for prolific
lichen growth, and only a few species were found. These
included types of Parmelia and Cladonia and also Pertusaria
amara, recognisable by its characteristic bitter taste of
oxalic acid.
After lunch, our way led round the lake, where Lecidea
lucida was found growing on Shell House. It was interesting
to note that parts around the lake which had been cleared
some time earlier, were showing a prolific growth of many
flowering plants more characteristic of wasteland. Tomato
plants seen in this area were obviously a result of people
picknicking during last summer. Later in the afternoon,
some small plants of Evernia prunastri were found.
Members present were shown mounted examples of some
commoner lichens, and also examples of wool dyed by using
lichens, and articles made from this wool. The craft of
lichen dyeing is carried on today only in parts of Scotland
and West Wales.
Thus, although the Forest lichen flora is somewhat
sparse, the glorious September weather made this a most
enjoyable day for those present.
Neil Rumbol
September 27th. Deer in Essex (Mammal Group)
On this day members of the Mammal Group and the East
Anglian Branch of the British Deer Society set forth in
search of deer in Essex.
Hatfield Forest was the first stopping-place, where
fallow deer were known to exist, with possibly some muntjac
in the area, although none had been definitely recorded.
Sika have been reported from the Forest, but these reports
have never been verified. We made our way to the areas to
the north and west of the Forest, where the Ranger had told
us we were more likely to see deer. Unfortunately, no deer
showed themselves, but numerous tracks and droppings were
found, some of which indicated that the deer had not long
passed that way. After an abortive attempt to find a
rutting stand supposed to exist in the area, we
made our way back to the cars. Page 15