Golden-eye

The Golden-eye lichen (Teloschistes chrysopthalmus) was believed to be extinct in Britain until a single specimen was found in Herefordshire in 2005. Its still considered a rarity but is gradually re-colonising parts of the south coast. I first came across it in 2019 and have found examples every year since then. Today I saw more than a dozen specimens clustered on a windswept bank of old Hawthorn on the Downs looking out over the Channel. Its distinguished from other yellowy cup lichens by its rim of tiny cilia, that look like little yellow eyelashes.