Waxcaps #4,#5, #6 and #7

They are starting to appear in greater numbers and I was surprised to find a Yellowfoot Waxcap (Cuphophyllus flavipes) (pictured above) today in a field where I haven't seen it before. So that is species #7. #4, #5, and #6 were Blackening Waxcap (Hygrocybe Conica), Golden Waxcap (H chlorophana) and Citrine Waxcap (H citrinovirens). I am looking forward to reaching double figures soon.

Buzzard

At the moment I am seeing a lot of a Buzzard who is hanging around at the front of the house. It may be related to my clearance of an area which I am hoping to make into an enticing slope for solitary bees.

Waxcap #3 - Butter Waxcap

The third species has arrived - the Butter Waxcap (Hygrocybe ceracea). The give away to distinguish it from similar waxcaps are the translucent spot and striae, broadly attached gills and a knobbly surface to the cap plus a greasy cap but dry stipe. This one was a classic ceracea.

First Clavarioid of 2018

After yesterday's Waxcap we have today's Clavarioid - White Spindles (Clavaria fragilis). I feel the grassland fungi season is now underway........

Spangle Waxcap

It's been a very quiet year so far on the grassland fungi front. Just a Fibrous Waxcap or two in June and the odd Pinkgill. However yesterday we had the first Waxcap since June, a solitary small Spangle Waxcap (Hygrocybe insipida). It is typically one of the early ones to appear so maybe we are about to start the season proper? The fresh photo was out of focus so the above is a shrivelled version taken today.

New Species - Climbing Corydalis

In a hidden away corner I found a giant clump of Climbing Corydalis (Ceratocapnos claviculata). It may have been there in previous years but this is the first time I have recorded this on site though I have seen it on Trellech Common.

Rewilding - Beeches stylee

The first two rescue hogs are tonight in their soft release pen and in three days we open the door..... There should be plenty of natural, pesticide and chemical free food around for them and we hope that we can re-establish a breeding population here. We haven't seen a hedgehog on the property for about four years. Thanks to Carol and Philip at the Rescue Centre.