Sawbridgeworth Nature Walks.

 The autumn is a great time for searching for lichens as they enjoy the damp and cool conditions. The Citizen Science Group are going to use lichens to assess local air quality and here are some of the examples growing in the Rivers Orchard. Lichens come in three groups- crustose, which is self-explanatory, thallose, which are flat and strap like and foliose which are leafy. The foliose ones are most associated with the cleanest air but there is an exception which we have at the Orchard. Many of the twigs and branches not only of Oak but also of Hawthorn are covered in a variety of lichens and mosses making a whole host of mini habitats occupied by mini beasts including tiny spiders and springtails.                                                              ...

 This is the first of 10 eco-walks originated in Sawbridgeworth Parish designed to illustrate biodiversity throughout the year. Below is shown the plan of the route which is just under 5 miles. All walks start and end at the Fair Green. The Sawbridgeworth Brook is running well after heavy rain but is bringing a lot of sediment, almost certainly from the development in West Road. Not surprisingly, here is a photograph of a Muntjac in the Rivers Orchard scrub. These are very much taken for granted but it is remarkable that this small deer has successfully established itself in suburbia. The first of the toadstools and fungi are beginning to show and here are some examples from the grassland at the Orchard.  There are also the first of the autumn colours on the Beech Hedge and Oak trees. Lots of fruits in the Rivers Orchard area in addition to apples. These are firstly Guelder Rose and then Spindle.   This is Golden Rod, only one plant here at present but it is becoming...