[poschiavanus]

Its not just that JennyS has the charismatic megalichens, but much of the East Midlands is still recovering from two centuries of industrial pollution. In many cases the lichens are there, but in frustratingly small patches. They may be readily IDed by the expert but I like nice biggish ones.

That being said knowing where to look helps. Towns are pretty poor, but country churchyards are good; old orchards, and some country estates can be worthwhile. Ash and rowan seem to be the trees which get colonised by a good range of species early on. I've seen nice lichens on Willows, Sycamore and Horse Chestnut as well. Elder gets covered with Xanthoria parietina and two Physcia species (tenella and adscendens) but not much else. Cladonia, Peltigera and Usnea species are around, but still feel to me like special finds.