Shining Cliff Wood, Derwent Valley, Derbyshire, December 2010

Shining Cliff Wood (Derbyshire)  is a Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to the large variety of plants and animals found in this very old wood.  The Woodland is on long term lease to the Forestry Commission. The walk takes you near the Cromford Canal and Tow path. 

Set out with Chris on a very cold December Saturday to Shining Cliff Woods situated in the Derwent Valley, Derbyshire.  Although I originate from Derbyshire this was new territory for me but a very pleasant walk.  We got a little lost but a nice Security Guard still on duty allowed us to take a short-cut through the factory he was guarding.

Very quickly discovered a pure white bracket shaped fungus.  I think it is Crepidotus applanatus.  It was growing in tiers in a dead branch.  It has a very rudimentary stem.  Before long I found a distinctly triangular shaped fungus growing on a pine tree.  This could well be Pastia stiptica.

Moving on to 2011 I spent the weekend in Woking Surrey.  Came across a bracket shaped fungus - though it had gills rather than pores and had a slightly granular soft surface.  I have not identified this yet.

All of the above can now be viewed on Browse 3.

Crich, Derbyshire, Everton and Samson Woods, November 2011

Crich, Derbyshire.

Crich is a village within Amber Valley,  Derbyshire.  Nearby is the famous Crich Tram Museum.  The TV series Peak Practice filmed scenes in Crich, better known in the series as Cardale.

Decided to visit The Crich Memorial Stand on a bright, sunny but cold November day.

Even in Summer it is cold on top of  this steep hill.  Saw a fungus that is buff, and has a very precise and sharp margin.  Stem being coarse and mottled.  So far I have not identified this one.

Also during November I made a return trip to Samson Wood in Nottinghamshire.   Discovered what I believe is Reticular lycoperdon.  A pea size fungus, buff,  in small clusters on a tree trunk.  I was puzzled at first as to what it could be - but on gently squeezing one was surprised to find it full of dry, powdery gleba.

I also made a trip to Everton Wood, Yorkshire/Nottinghamshire.  Spotted a very unusual fungus.  It has a pure white cap and a very shiney brown stem that resembles the colour and texture of highly polished wood or teak.   So far I have not identified this.  Also came across something that has a white cap but with a delicate pink hue.  White distant gills and a grey/translucent stem.  Again, I have not identified this yet.

All of the above can now be seen on Browse 3.

Everton Wood, North Nottinghamshire/South Yorkshire border

November 2010.  Visited a new area called Everton Wood.  En route to this wood we had to drive up a minor road.

The wood is next to open pasture land.  Something caught my eye.  A huge ploughed field that had been heavily manured was full of quite large fungi.  I have never before seen fungi growing in such abundance in a large soiled area.

They were quite large, cap up to 20 cm, whitish grey, all growing or just appearing out of a volva sac.  At this stage I cannot identify them so will seek an opinion.

Also whilst in this field I came across what I think might be peziza vesiculosa which also favour manured soil and is frost resistant.

These can now be viewed on Browse 3

Elvaston Castle and Samson Wood

October 2010.  Another batch of photographs taken last October.

Firstly, Elvaston Castle, Derbyshire.  Found an interesting fungus which resembles Boletus Calopus.  The cap being very light grey with a very definite suede/velvet texture.  The stem though has no characteristic netting pattern.  In fact, it looked like a rhubarb stick!

Also came across what I think is a Mycena rosea.  This was solitary and buried in leaf-litter.  Smelt of radish.

Also October 2010.  Samson Wood, Nottinghamshire.  Found what I believe is a Boletus edulis and finally a beautiful Omphalina ericetorum amongst grass and moss.


All can now be seen on Browse 3.  

Slime-flux-fungus

Received an email from a gentleman who has corresponded with me previously.

Whilst out walking in Hampshire he came across a Slime-flux-fungus.  Some of these primitive fungi grow up to 40cm in length.  More about this subject in a few months when I shall be adding a photograph to the website.

Elvaston Castle, Elvaston, Derbyshire

Elvaston Castle, Derbyshire

"Set four miles south-east of the city of Derby is Elvaston Castle Country Park, a picturesque site featuring over 200 acres of woodlands, parkland and formal gardens.

At the heart of the estate lies Elvaston Castle - a Gothic Revival masterpiece designed by James Wyatt in the early 1800s, based on the original house dating back to 1633. Wyatt's design, built for the 3rd Earl of Harrington, became home to the Stanhope family until the estate was sold by the then Earl of Harrington to Derbyshire County Council in 1968. The Council have operated it as Elvaston Castle Country Park since then".

Spent a few hours at Elvaston Castle, on a Sunday afternoon last October 2010.  One of those nice Autumn days where you can still feel the warmth of the sun on your back.  

A thrilling time as in a few square feet (Chris and George who were helping me hunt) found two or three types of coral fungi growing amongst mossy grass.  Clavulinopsis laeticolor, (yellow and club-like) and Clavulinopsis fusiformis (also yellow with acute tips).   I also found another coral-type fungus nearby which was light brown to buff and at this moment am uncertain of its identity.




These can now be viewed on Browse 3.

Weekend work on my website fungiworld

It has been difficult to concentrate this weekend on editing my photographs and up-dating the website because of the terrible earthquake in Japan.  I have been awaiting news from a friend who is currently in Tokyo.  The task has taken far longer than usual as I keep checking the latest internet news images.

Thankfully, at last I have received an email that he is okay.

Last October 2010 I visited a wood near Blidworth, Nottinghamshire called Sansom Wood.

It is a nice wood with a special atmosphere - a mix of broad-leaf trees and pines.

I discovered some new fungi during my visit and they are now available to view on Browse 3.

Jelly fungus or Leotia Lubria.  The cap looked black but on closer inspection it was a very deep olive green.

Also Hebeloma mesophoeum.  The cap being distinctive with what looks like a brown circle in the middle of the cap.