Over 500 species of lichens have been recorded in both Hampshire and West Sussex. Horndean lies between in south-east Hampshire and is not a rich area for lichen species but this may be because there are not many lichen hunters living in the area. Horndean does not compare with my favourite holiday spots at the Lizard, Pembroke Coast and the Western Isles but there are several mini habitats where they are abundant and I am including in this section the best spots to see lichens locally, lists and pictures of species as they are identified and references to local records and where you can find out more. Most lichens only have latin names, many of which are quite descriptive. They are easy to photograph since they do not move around and are not seasonal.
The main areas for lichens in Horndean are:-

Churchyards. There are three churchyards in the parish.
Catherington has the top number with a total of 63 species recorded by Francis Rose in July 1992.

		Gravestones in Catherington Churchyard Many lichens cover the gravestones in Catherington churchyard, adding colour.
	Gravestone and lichens in St.Giles churchyard site, Old Blendworth

Blendworth churchyard had 41 species recorded Feb.1994 (F.R.) and Old Blendworth, St.Giles site only had 14 species but has suffered from local clean-ups. Many of the gravestones were laying flat and were covered more with moss. Management has now improved since the parish council rangers took over the care. As there are no local natural stone outcrops and the churchyards have a variety of stone types that have been relatively undisturbed for a good number of years they are good places to study lichens, as well as being tranquil and peaceful spots to relax for a few hours.
There is a 'league table' for churches in East Hampshire and both Droxford and East Meon have over a 100 different species recorded. In July 2000 Hampshire Wildlife Trust organised an evening with Francis Rose at East Meon churchyard where he introduced us to the ecology of churchyard lichens. This was a most interesting visit in spite of the torrential rain !

Click here for churchyard lichen lists; Catherington, Blendworth

There are several good guides and handouts to help identify churchyard lichens, in particular
A Field key to Common Churchyard Lichens by Frank Dobson 2003 covering nearly 200 churchyard lichens and a laminated folder (FSC Publication £1) Guide to common churchyard lichens again illustrated with Frank Dobson's photographs.

Walls, paths, fences and roof-tops. These habitats give a rustic mature appearance and often appear very quickly on new construction work. There are many localities along Catherington Lane adorned with lichens, from red brick walls to the staddle stones on which the old granary is supported.
There are several concrete fence posts attractively covered in orange lichens.

The first picture of the roof ridge and weather vane was my first digital photo, taken in April 2001. Next April I will repeat the photo and can monitor the growth of moss and lichen over 5 years. The same applies to the colonies of Xanthoria growing on the red brick wall in Catherington Lane. The top of the wall in St Vincent Crescent forms a miniature moss and lichen garden at a convenient height to photograph. Here the apothecia of Peltigera are holding up dew drops. The last photograph shows how an old wooden gate near the highest point in Catherington Lane has become covered in foliose lichens, mostly Parmelia species.

Tree trunks and twigs. Many of our roadside and hedgerow trees are attractively covered in several species of lichens. There are good tree 'hosts' at the south end of Catherington Lane, the best on Ash but some of the Acers including our native Field maple do well. The older oaks particularly those in hedgerows where there is plenty of light are well coated.

Ash Trunk

Ash Trunk

Oak

Acer

Oak Field maple

Butser Hill. A recent book by the late Oliver Gilbert has an interesting colour photo of Lichenologists inspecting a path on the chalk downs at Butser Hill just north of Horndean. This was a British Lichen Society Field meeting in 1991. I wonder what they found but have noted in the Flora of Hampshire there is a section on The Lichen Flora of Hampshire (1996) there are several records of species, some very rare, from Butser, on chalk pebbles (does this mean flints) or barbed wire. The Hampshire list was prepared by K.A.Sandell and Francis Rose, we are very fortunate in having expert lichenologists living nearby.

A closer look at fallen twigs and branches. It is easier to study and photograph lichens close-up by taking fallen bits of tree home. Here is some of the recent 'fall-out'.

The first show foliose lichens on a twig from Wick Hanger including Physcia species, the next Xanthoria and the third picture is a close-up of Cladonia, and last are orange and grey lichen living together, ther are at least five species on this ash log.

References:
There are a large number of recent books on lichens. One of the greatest lichenologists and author was Oliver Gilbert who died in May 2005. His latest book was The Lichen Hunters first published in 2004 and a very good read. He also wrote the New Naturalist book title Lichens pub. 2000. Other recent lichen books apart from the Churchyard books are :
Lichens Illustrated Guide to British and Irish species by Frank Dobson the 4th rev.edn. is in colour (Richmond Publishing 2000)
Lichens in Southern Woodlands by K.Broad (Forestry Commission Handbook 4 1989)
Pollution monitoring with lichens by D.H.Richardson (Naturalists handbook 19, Richmond 1992)
Lichens on Trees by Alan Orange (British plant life No.3 N.Museum of Wales 1994) and last but not least
The Observer's Book of Lichens 1963 and 1977 version by Kenneth Alvin both good pocket handbooks (Warne) may find 2ndHd.