Following a successful half-day public lichen talk and walk at Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve this past summer, I was delighted to be invited back yesterday to deliver the event a second time.
We were lucky with the weather once again, and when we headed outside after an introductory presentation, the start of the autumn leaf-fall made it easy to observe some of the lichens we saw in June. As before, participants were able to observe lichens on all major substrates: on the bark of trees, the ‘stone’ of an old concrete sluice, the lignum of old picnic tables, and sandy, rabbit-scraped earth.
And we were especially excited to find Peltigera rufescens on in the rabbit patch, in addition to the P. didactyla we observed in June! Both are common lichens, of course, but neither had been recorded previously in the wider area.
I’m pleased to say that I had lovely feedback once again:
Incredibly interesting course. Superbly delivered by Dr Anthony Speca.
Excellent teacher, fascinating subject. Enjoyable, entertaining and informative.
A great morning, time well spent. Thank you.
And I’m also pleased to report that I’ll be returning to Carlton Marshes for a full-day lichen workshop in May 2026. Details coming soon!
Discovering the secret world of lichens
Lichens are probably the most fascinating yet overlooked life-forms in the natural world. In this half-day workshop, Anthony Speca will bring the compelling world of lichens out of the background. We’ll begin with an enjoyable and stimulating introduction to lichens, and then we’ll head out into Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve to observe lichens ‘in the wild’!
Anthony is the field lichenologist behind Aspen Ecology. A committed naturalist, educator and communicator, he is a knowledgeable guide and responsive advisor on the remarkable world of lichens.
The field notes and lab notes for various lichen species on this website refer to special field-lichenological techniques. Examples include collecting lichens in the field, testing lichens with chemicals and ultraviolet light, and dissecting lichens with razors or other sharp tools.
These and other field-lichenological techniques require special knowledge and experience. They also demand an ethics of respect for lichens and other wildlife, for conservationally significant species and sites, and for land and landowners.
You should not attempt any of these techniques if you lack the necessary knowledge, experience or ethical sense. You should also take all relevant safety precautions. More information about field-lichenological safety and ethics is available from the British Lichen Society .
