The Naturalists' Notebook

A return visit to Dibbinsdale LNR on the Wirral to forage for fungi on the 11th September 2010 proved what a difference a couple of weeks can make.

The Beefsteak Fungus Fistulina hepatica was now fully mature and had a sticky coating on the top.

A mass of Oyster Mushrooms Pleurotus ostreatus had appeared on an ivy covered fallen tree trunk

Details of the gill structure viewed from below.

A large group of decaying fungi proved photogenic, these weren’t present on the last visit having quickly sprung up before ageing. After seeking advice I was told these are the aptly named Blackening Russula Russula nigricans.

A rather pungent smelling Common Stinkhorn Phallus impudicus had a gathering of flies. Every so often a parasitic wasp would buzz by and carry off one of the flies.

Glistening Ink Cap Coprinus micaceus peeking from a crevice on a beech tree trunk.

Common Earthballs Scleroderma citrinum were hiding amongst the fallen leaf litter.

Another fungi hunt this time to Eastham Country Park on the Wirral, 4th September 2010. More good finds and with the wet weather due this week it should be a great Autumn for fungi!

The distinctive foetid smell of the Common Stinkhorn Phallus impudicus in one area of the woods allowed me to sniff out this mature specimen. Other Stinkhorns were still at the embryonic egg stage.

Amethyst Deciever Laccaria amethystea

 Some huge chunky specimens of Southern Bracket Ganoderma australe

In contrast to the delicate Branched Oyster Pleurotus cornucopiae

A rather nice example of Turkeytail Trametes versicolor 

And finally a Myxomycetes going by the name of Dog Vomit Slime Mold Fuligo septica

An August bank holiday outing to Dibbinsdale LNR on the Wirral provided some interesting fungi finds including some edible and some deadly delights!

A 22cm wide fresh specimen of edible Beefsteak Fungus Fistulina hepatica. In a couple of weeks this will have matured to resemble a prime cut of meat.

The deadly Funeral Bell Galerina marginata that can be confused with the edible Sheathed Woodtuft Kuehneromyces mutabilis

The yellow spindle coral fungi Clavulinopsis fusiformis

Ochre Brittlegill Russula ochroleuca

Sulphur Tuft Hypholoma fasciculare

Bay Polypore Polyporus badius = P. durus

A selection of distorted growths or Galls found on Pedunculate Oak Quercus robur trees, caused by a variety of Gall Wasps which lay eggs within leaf buds or the leaves.

Oak Artichoke Gall Andricus fecundator

Oak Common Spangle Gall Neuroterus quercusbaccarum 

Oak Marble Gall Andricus kollari

Oak Knopper Gall Andricus quercuscalicis

After several weeks of overcast damp weather 15 members enjoyed a warm sunny day. The Heather, Gorse and Silver Birch produced 2 fungi, The Blusher and Slippery Jack, and 6 butterflies – Small Copper, Meadow Brown, Large White, Common Blue, Peacock, Gatekeeper. Aerial interest was provided by the Kestrel, Buzzard and Sparrowhawk. Tansy was an interesting find by the railway as were the sheet webs and tubular retreats of the Labyrinth spider in the Gorse. A few small Oaks had all 3 galls – Marble, Knopper and Artichoke. A water tank had an attractive, yellow micromoth Agapeta zoegana floating on it. Along Fisherman’s Path were the Northern Tiger Beetle, a very faded Ruby Tiger moth, a Robber Fly, Grayling and Red Admiral. On the bare sand were a good dozen Russulas, mainly Purple Brittlegill, R.atropurpurea, whereas amongst the Silver Birch and Alder large specimens of Brown Rollrim attracted a lot of attention. Towards the yellow dunes Goldenrod and Carline Thistle were added. Out on the shore Sanderlings ran back and forth along the tideline as Common and Sandwich Terns flew past and over a Grey Seal which bobbed up and down. Gannets and Manx Shearwaters were way out. Dunlin and Ringed Plover poked about on the exposed silt beds.10 Lion’s Mane jellyfish were scattered about. Returning to the station up Victoria Road a Red Squirrel was up in the Pines as a tame Fox attracted an audience of daytrippers. To round things off Terry glimpsed a Hobby amongst the Swallows above us.

The Blusher Amanita rubescens

Comma Polygonia c-album

Water Mint Mentha aquatica

Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas

Northern Dune Tiger Beetle Cicindela hybrida

Sefton Coast Dunes

Sand Mason Worm Tubes Lanice conchilega

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