With autumn now starting to gather pace fungus forays with the NFSG are fortnightly. This weekends trip was out west to West Acre and a good explore around their re-wilding area consisting of mainly oak, beech and pine woodland. It was another new area for me and after a slow start the goodies soon started to be found and we ended up with another impressve list.
Top of the pops was the the 2nd county record of the golden brown Wood Bolete growing as it often does with Dyer's Mazegill. There were a plethora of new species or me including Milk White Brittlegill, Dung Roundhead, the colourful (when cut!) Inkstain Bolete, Redleg Toughshank, Clustered Toughshank, Oak Mazegill, Skullcap Dapperling, Blackfoot Polypore, Chickenrun Funnel, Sooty Bark Disease, Coprinopsis insignis, White Fibrecap and 2 smuts - Campion Anther Smut and False Oat Grass Smut. Some utterly spectacular Yellow Stagshorn and Beefsteak Fungus, Common Stinkhorn, Dog Stinkhorn, Black Bulgar, Petticoat Mottlegill, Deceiver and Dusky Puffball. For once I was pleased to be able to find and actually id some correctly!
Vanna brought her sweep net so we were also treated to a few insects of interest - Bishop's Mitre Shieldbug, Monoceros Beetle, 24-Spot Ladybird, the attractive bug Pantilius tunicatus, caterpillars of Pale Tussock, Knot Grass and Yarrow Pug and then near the end the first Norfolk record of an extremely rare beetle Bruchidius siliquastri a weevil that is found in the seedheads of Judas Tree.
Birds seen/heard were Nuthatch, Sparrowhawk, Crossbill, Marsh Tit and Great Spotted Woodpecker plus 2 Red Kites near Swaffham on the way.
What an amazing selection! Terrific post! (Jealous of the Crossbill ;) )
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