Please note the earlier time than usual of 1.30pm – Walton Common has a great deal to explore among the ‘lower plants’ – from national rarities like the spiky Rabbit Moss Cheilothela chloropus growing on bare ground among short turf on a south-facing slope to the showy Crisped Fork-moss Dicranum bonjeanii adorning the top of ants nests. The former species appears here alongside Tortella (formerly Pleurochaete) squarrosa, which favours dry calcareous grassland; known in the vernacular as Side-fruited Crisp-moss.
Always a splendid place to visit, we’re sure to see various extra-curricular items of interest on the Common.
Meet in the layby on Walton Street at ST423736 (nearest postcode BS21 7AP). There is limited parking available here and space for a couple more vehicles slightly up the road at ST42357374. Take care when walking to the meeting point. The initial climb up and some parts of the common are fairly steep, but we will be moving at an appropriate pace for bryologising!
