Scarlettina Bolete

I spotted this magnificent fungus in a neighbour's garden. The Scarletina Bolete (Neoboletus luridiformis) is mainly found with Oak or Beech (in this case mid-way between one of each).

Pink Waxcap- waxcap #8 or #9 for 2017

Next species to appear is the Pink Waxcap (now Porpolomopsis calyptriformis) which is probably #9 or maybe #8 for the year (depending on whether that was definitely Gloioxanthomyces vitellinus or not the other day). There was a group of three and a couple more in the West Field today.

New species - Wood Mouse

A dead rodent outside the front door appears to be a Wood Mouse (based on fur colour and ear and other body part sizes). We have had House mice before (in the house appropriately enough) but I am not sure have definitely seen a Wood mouse before so it must count as one for the species list.

Persistent Waxcap

Another one for the 2017 Beeches Waxcap list (#7 if we don't count the probable vitellinus). The long bifid stipe with white at the base is a tell-tale sign.

Glutinous Waxcap

This species is distinguished from some of the other similarly coloured small waxcaps by generous amounts of gloop on the cap and stem. There's been a few around so far including in the small North Field where I don't think I have seen waxcaps before.

New fungi species - Leotia viscosa

I have a new ascomycetes species fruiting in some profusion close to some trees in the large field. The first one I found I identified as Leotia lubrica known as Jellybabies. However a closer look revealed some very similar fungi but with dark green caps. This appeared to be Leotia viscosa (English name Chickenlips) but I think the whole taxonomy is in doubt. Is Lubrica one, two or three species is the question. A website www.fungusfactfriday.com sums it up "These three species also overlap morphologically and many intermediate forms can be found. Apparently Leotia is due for a major shake-up sometime in the near future. It is impossible to say whether the result will be the three species are combined into one morphologically diverse species or they will be divided into numerous morphologically indistinguishable species." I show photos of the two differently coloured fungi. Of course it could be that I have Leotia viscosa and the brownish ones are dried out or mature green ones. Who knows?

Could it be waxcap #23?

I have recorded 22 waxcap species* here (which under Wald and Vesterholt's criteria would make it a site of international importance for grassland fungi!) and a possible but unlikely 23rd of Orange Waxcap (Hygrocybe aurantiosplendens) which I think was a misidentification on my part. Now I have another possible but unconfirmed 23rd when I came across what might be Gloioanthomyces vitellinus (no English name) but then again might not be. It certainly looks different to any thing I have seen here with a very long stipe but it is partly eaten away so I can't be sure of the id. * I am counting the Pale Waxcap (Cuphophyllus pratensis, formerly Hygrocybe pratensis var pallida) as a species which technically it is not anymore.

Female Common Blue

I spotted a brown butterfly which turned out to be a female Common Blue. Checking distribution maps it seems that in any case we don't get the Brown Argus here (although it is found on the coast 20 miles away or so). Telling the difference between the browner versions of the female Common Blue and the Brown Argus can require close observation. However the presence of some blue on the upper surface and the presence of dots on the in the bottom half of the underside of the forewing indicate it is a Common Blue and not a Brown Argus.

Fifth waxcap - Golden Waxcap

I came across a whole bunch of Golden Waxcaps (Hygrocybe chlorophana) today - rather battered by my cutting and raking but identifiable nonetheless. That makes five waxcaps here as the season hots up.

Female Common Darter

There has been dragonfly activity around the pond but I found this Common Darter (Sympetrum stiolatum) hunting at the top of the big field. She sat on a blade of grass turning her head from time to time, presumably on the look out for something tasty. Not as showy as the male but a stunning insect up close nonetheless.

Three more waxcap species

The last couple of days has yielded up three more waxcaps here making four for the year so far. Yesterday I found both the Spangle Waxcap (Hygrocybe insipida) and Butter Waxcap (Hygrocybe ceracea) as shown above. These can be similar so at first I thought the specimens were one or the other but one was classic H. insipida down to the red at the top of the stipe and another was clearly H. ceracea. Today I found a couple of Fibrous Waxcaps (Hygrocybe intermedia).

Good Year for Common Blues

It is another mixed year for butterflies but a good one for Common Blues here at The Beeches. There have been quite a few flying over the last week despite the fields having been around 50% cut.

Help from a Buzzard

We have been seeing a lot of Buzzard who kindly helps as I cut the fields. His job to remove any small animals I might have uncovered as I cut. Here he is waiting for service in a handy tree.

Slender Parasol

The fungi season is starting after the recent spell of rain. Here's one from my neighbour's field - a Slender Parasol (Macrolepiota mastoides). It has fawn scales and a prominent central smallish umbo.