This field trip was billed as an introduction to Ballachuan Hazel Wood but it was more than that. The inclement weather took us into the beautiful Kilbrandon Church as though drawn by some external force. I was soon, without thinking, giving a sermon according to Natural History with a bit of early pagan Celtic history thrown in. It didn't altogether feel right but it was what I had planned to say.

Apart from introducing our members to the wonderful reserve we have on our doorstep, I had taken the opportunity to do a count of a very special lichen here at Ballachuan, 'Hazel Gloves'  (Hypocreopsis rhododendri) that grows on trees, especially hazel. It is a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species and a Local(BAP) species here in Argyll. The fruiting body has swollen orange fingers that radiate from a central point and can look like a small orange glove that often clasps the hazel stem. Throughout our two hour visit to Ballachuan the rain was torrential  and only the shelter of the trees made the experience tolerable. With the help of Fiona Lackie's son Callum, we managed to count seventy three 'Hazel Gloves' and that was only on the periphery of the path through the wood. This was a good count and indicates what a important site for this BAP species this represents.

As we emerged from the western side of the wood, we flushed a Woodcock, but it soon flashed passed us, and disappeared back into the hazel wood. The rain was still persistent and had soaked most of us through. Despite this, the morning had been enjoyable and our eleven members headed back to their cars with some sense of achievement. If we can survive this, we can survive anything !!

http://seilnature.spaces.live.com/

The climate here on the West Coast of Scotland is influenced by the 'Gulf Stream', which produces a warm oceanic current flowing through the area. This climate, unique in Europe is described as extreme oceanic i.e. it is influenced by the surrounding seas.   This produces extreme humidity and high rainfall, with persistent cloudy days particularly in winter, similar to the period we have experienced over the last week.

Woodland Lichens, Fungi and Algae all thrive on this mild wet climate and local trees are dripping with these species. A number of these Lichens are endemic to Scotland which means there are found no where else in the world.  Lichens are a good indicator of air quality, for they do not grow well where there is air pollution. Scotland however holds the largest reservoirs of pure air in the United Kingdom, if not Europe and Seil is no exception.

Atlantic Hazelwood's are fairly unique to this part of the world and form pure woods on steep slopes facing the sea. They have occupied these sites for many thousands of years and the thinner stems are covered in a dense pale mosaic of lichens, whilst the older growth supports a different range of leafy species e.g.Lobaria Pulmonaria as shown below.  One example of this is the Ballachuan Hazel Wood nature reserve managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, which is at the southern tip of Seil Island. With over 250 species recorded, the reserve has been designated a site of international importance for lichens by the British Lichen Society.

Photographs courtesy of Astrid Horward and Richard Wesley