Clouded Agaric

One of several members of the Clitocybe genus is the Clouded Agaric (Clytocybe nebularis) whichis fruiting at the edge of the West Field close or under the trees. It is a hefty fungus with deeply decurrent gills.

Species of the Year 2023

Obviously the prize for fungi goes to the Papillate Waxcap (Hygrocybe papillata), a rare Waxcap not far from my back door. Perfect. Pretty much scoops the prize for Overall Species of the Year as well. Butterfly wise it has to be the very brief appearance of a Silver-washed Fritillary, one of the UKs largest butterflies. Other species that deserve a mention include the Palmate Newt which have been glimpsed previously but this year were in hand and could be formally indentified. Lastly I think the Lesser Horseshoe bat that lives in our shed has survived another year and deserves to be recorded. I first spotted him (it is a 'him' as it is the males that lead s solitary existence) in 2014 as an adult so he is ten years old at least and may be a lot more. Photo of the Papillate Waxcap.

Deer doing a lot of grazing

There's been lots of Fallow Deer on site and they seem to be doing a lot of grazing which is actually good news given that the normal small flock of sheep hasn't arrived this year so far. We need aftermath grazing and the deer are providing some so I won't be chasing them away which I sometimes do when they are after the orchids!

Waxcap #24 - Splendid Waxcap

We are probably near the end of the Waxcap season and I am still missing some regulars (Slimy, Goblet, Earthy etc) but at least I have recorded a Splendid Waxcap (Hygroctbe splendidissima). Not in the East field where it first appeared and has come up every year until this one but in the South Firled where it first appeared more recently. Shame the rabbits or deer have trampled it!

Soprano Pipistrelle

No photo but given I haven't seem many bats this year I did get my bat detector out for one flying near the barn just before dusk. Turned out to be a Soprano Pipistrelle so not a new species for the site but a welcome sight nonetheless.

Waxcap #23 - Cedarwood Waxcap

I seem to have hundreds of Snowy Waxcaps this year - far more than usual. Some are pure white and some show a little tinge of colour. However a group caught my eye that were pretty much pale buff all over and a quick smell confirmed them as Cedarwood Waxcaps (Cuphophyllus russocoriaceus). The smell is intense and addictive.

New Species - Witches' Butter

Also on the piled Oak branches and also in profusion (see previous post) are many examples of a very squelchy fungus - Witches' Butter (Exidia glandulosa). Has a sort of brain-like appearance close up.

New species - Hairy Curtain Crust

I don't recollect recording Hairy Curtain Crust (Stereum hirsutum) before but it is a very common fungus found on dead wood. In this case some oak that had to be taken down last year was piled in the field and is now covered in hundreds of fruiting bodies of HCC. Its features are hairiness and zoning so easy to identify.

Waxcap #22 Crimson Waxcap

A bit battered but definitely a Crimson Waxcap (Hygrocybe punicea) in the East Field - although in a different spot to where I usually see them. I am definitely on high alert now for my favourite waxcap , the Splendid Waxcap which usually comes at the same time.

Honey Fungus

I have seen it here in the fields but here is Honey Fungus in its element, clustered around the base of a dead or dying tree.

Waxcap #21 - Butter Waxcap

In both East and West fields we have Butter Waxcaps fruiting. Sometimes hard to spot amongst the thousands of Golden Waxcaps but the gills are a giveaway as they are broadly attached.