Baglan Energy Park mosses

Cladonia sp.

Yesterday I took a walk over the site where Charles and Hilary Hipkin found Wall Bedstraw (Galium parisiense) last year see here. It was still evident mid-winter, with patches of new growth even sporting a few flowers. However, Cladonia lichens and a variety of mosses were the most prominent feature of this seemingly barren area of slag, Megapolitan Feather-moss and Kneiff's Hook-moss being species of note.

Megapolitan Feather-moss (Rhynchostegium megapolitanum)

Kneiff's Hook-moss (Drepanocladus aduncus)

The commonest species in this area was Lesser Bird's-claw Beard-moss, that formed extensive patches some of which were producing capsules on long yellow stalks.

Lesser Bird's-claw Beard-moss (Barbula convoluta var. convoluta)