Looking at Lichens on Mitcham Common

Join us for a look at the world of lichens on Mitcham Common.

Dr Andrew Hodgkiss from the British Lichen Society will be giving us an introduction to the field study of lichen.

Lichen offer food and shelter to a wide variety of organisms. They are excellent at measuring air quality and ecological value and they are beautiful to look at. But not many of us know what they are, or how to differentiate one from the other.

A recent short walk on Mitcham Common identified 20 distinctive lichen species from 13 different families.

The book that Andrew will be working from is called ‘Lichens: An Illustrated Guide to the British and Irish Species’ by Frank Dobson.

We will be walking in mud a bit and kneeling on soil, so light boots and old long trousers will be best for this walk. There will be a lot of standing around outside so wrap up warm and bring a hat.

Please meet at Mitcham Junction Railway Station, the Platform 2 side where the walk will start and finish. If the trains are disrupted (as they often are on the Herne Hill to Mitcham Junction route) then a 201 bus from Herne Hill/Tulse Hill, followed by a 127 gets you there in about 50 minutes.

Bring a packed lunch and a x10 (or x20) hand lens if you have one.

Please note that the toilets at the station are sometimes out of order.