Sunday 16 October was a glorious day when ten of us met with Peter Creed for a morning’s fungus foray. Peter led us through a variety of habitats, each very different and thus providing a variety of fungi.
We started our walk through the dappled shade of silver birch and sweet chestnut woods. Here there are several hollows where flint or possibly gravel may have been extracted. In normal years these would be pretty wet and covered in moss, but after the hot summer and dry autumn the ground was only damp and there were fewer mosses. We noted Hairy Curtain Crust and Turkeytail on logs, Glistening Inkcap, Birch Bracket and Brown Rollrim. We learned about each of the fungi in terms of recognition, preferred habitat and taste (although not in some cases!)
We moved on to where the soil was more alkaline where Bonnets (Mycena species) were abundant, growing in moss or amongst grass. Under pines we observed Sordid Blewit and False Chanterelle.
Changing direction, we headed through heathland, the predominant woodland being Aspen and Birch then on into Scots Pines woodland. Here we saw Slippery Jack, Milkcap, Ceps and wonderful specimens of Fly Agaric looking like ornaments from a Garden Centre.
On down to The Bog, still damp and marshy despite the drought. A green tiger beetle was spotted as well as a large wasp-mimic hoverfly. The remains of summer’s bog asphodel were apparent too.
Our return journey revealed an amazing assortment of unusual finds, including Aniseed Funnel (easily recognised by its smell), Glazed Cup fungi, Common Puffball and Burgundy Drop Bonnet.
In total, it was a fascinating morning. Some of us had wondered if the hot summer and dry autumn would affect numbers of fungi but we were pleasantly surprised by the range of healthy specimens. It helps to have an expert like Peter Creed to spot them!
Later in the afternoon, after our wonderfully mild and sunny day, the clouds came over and it poured with rain. We were lucky!
Julia Reid, October 2022
A full species list can be found here.
WEST OXFORDSHIRE FIELD CLUB 