Ramblings from Finemere Wood

...there is life in the wood, albeit quieter and less colourful than its human companions. Stand still, look, and listen.

January is here again. Grey, cold and wet, it is a melancholic time of year. The days are short and spring seems so far away. The wood displays a monochrome colour scheme, many shades of brown. Trees are defoliated; there is little sign of life. The wilderness seems to be in hibernation.

In contrast, the volunteers at Finemere Wood are bubbling with excitement. They have been at home for a month tucking into Christmas pudding and mince pies. Sugar levels are high. The woodland workers are happy to be back; it is time to get those bodies moving and to catch up on stories of the festive season.

A robin perched on a mossy branch, singing — Singing robin © Neil Aldridge

But there is life in the wood, albeit quieter and less colourful than its human companions. Stand still, look, and listen.

A green woodpecker yaffles in the distance, a robin chirrups its melodic warbling song. A variety of fungi can be spotted on deadwood. Mosses envelop tree stumps. And lichen is everywhere.

Lichens are made up of two or more organisms living together in a symbiotic relationship. A fungus provides a structure in which algae can live under its protection. The algae makes food for the fungus via photosynthesis.

Over 1800 species of lichen have been recorded in the UK, in many forms and colours, growing on bark and stone. Oak moss (Evernia prunastri) grows on the branches of oak, other deciduous trees, and pine. Highly branched and bushy it is a pale green on top with a white underside. It is just one lichen that can be spotted in Finemere Wood.

Ancient woodland, which has had minimal disturbance over the centuries, is the ideal environment for lichens as they are slow-growing and highly sensitive to pollution. These extraordinary organisms support a diverse mix of wildlife, providing nesting material for birds and shelter for invertebrates.

I gather my loppers and saw together, leaving my ponderings on lichen for now, and join the gang to clear back encroaching scrub from the woodland rides.

January seems more promising after a day in the woods: companionship, exercise, and wonders of nature.

More than 1,700 volunteers help us towards our vision of more nature everywhere, on our nature reserves, at our visitor and education centres, in our offices and more.

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