'Early' Deathcap

Natasha · #1 (**permalink**) 02-08-2010, 11:53 AM

Hallo,

I am producing a short film for which we need to shoot about 20 minutes of Deathcap mushrooms (Amanita Phalloides) in their natural environment. I've searched the ABFG/CATE database by both month and area. Am I right to think that 'early' Deathcaps (July/August) tend to occur more in western counties such as Gloucestershire (Forest of Dean) and Somerset, whereas 'late' ones (December) occur more in places like East Anglia? We'd like to film next week, ideally. I'm wondering where would be best to send one of our team on a hunt? We thought originally the New Forest in Hampshire. But maybe the Forest of Dean would be better? (We are based in Reading and can get to anywhere in the south or midlands with ease).

Thanks! :-)

Natasha Ridley

wildherbalian85 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-08-2010, 12:39 PM

id say the welsh mountains, it should be cool enough and wet enough for at this time of year for mushrooms. The New forest will be far too dry (and warm) for mushrooms.

IanS · #3 (**permalink**) 02-08-2010, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Natasha

Hallo,

I am producing a short film for which we need to shoot about 20 minutes of Deathcap mushrooms (Amanita Phalloides) in their natural environment. I've searched the ABFG/CATE database by both month and area. Am I right to think that 'early' Deathcaps (July/August) tend to occur more in western counties such as Gloucestershire (Forest of Dean) and Somerset, whereas 'late' ones (December) occur more in places like East Anglia? We'd like to film next week, ideally. I'm wondering where would be best to send one of our team on a hunt? We thought originally the New Forest in Hampshire. But maybe the Forest of Dean would be better? (We are based in Reading and can get to anywhere in the south or midlands with ease).

Thanks! :-)

Natasha Ridley

Hi Natasha
I've seen death caps in Norwich in early to mid August before now. Not sure if they have appeared here yet though. I might be able to find out....

cybershot · #4 (**permalink**) 02-08-2010, 03:20 PM

A quick search of the WAB Gallery (Fungi Pictures) using the 'Amanita phalloides' limiter will give you some ideas.

David

solus · #5 (**permalink**) 02-08-2010, 10:22 PM

I doubt the Forest of Dean will be too productive right now unless we get some substantial rainfall during the next few days! It has been really dry here for weeks and the little rain that has fallen has barely dampened the garden and certainly hasn't penetrated through the tree canopy in the local woods we have visited in the last couple of weeks.

Natasha · #6 (**permalink**) 03-08-2010, 09:42 AM

Thanks everyone! :-) Where might be the best bet? Was the reason Gloucestershire was good in July/August 2007 because of the torrential rain?

The southeast was very dry last month - but weren't some parts of the country very wet? Would that be enough, or does there have to be a lot of rain a few days beforehand? ( I'm only a beginner at this!)

Have deathcaps been spotted in Snowdonia? How are things in Crannock Chase and Cumber Park? Also it would be great to know about Norwich, (where I used to live).

Thanks again! :-)

Natasha

BROCSMAN · #7 (**permalink**) 03-08-2010, 09:42 AM

The Hafren Forest in mid-Wales was wet and producing a good range of fungus last weekend, including some amanitas. I didn't see A. phalloides though. Of course, wherever you go there is no guarantee you will find it.

Michael Jordan · #8 (**permalink**) 03-08-2010, 05:46 PM

Natasha

The CATE database currently includes about 50 records of A. Phalloides in August, mainly in the second half of the month.

You don't have registered access to CATE so you won't have been able to access any location or grid reference details.

The tally notches up substantially once you get into September needless to say.

Contact me if it will help.

Michael Jordan

FungiJohn · #9 (**permalink**) 03-08-2010, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Natasha

Thanks everyone! :-) Where might be the best bet? Was the reason Gloucestershire was good in July/August 2007 because of the torrential rain?

The southeast was very dry last month - but weren't some parts of the country very wet? Would that be enough, or does there have to be a lot of rain a few days beforehand? ( I'm only a beginner at this!)

Have deathcaps been spotted in Snowdonia? How are things in Crannock Chase and Cumber Park? Also it would be great to know about Norwich, (where I used to live).

Thanks again! :-)

Natasha

Hi Natasha

I've not seen any deathcaps yet at Clumber Park but they are quite common during September and October. 2008 being a very good year for them in terms of numbers and locations.

John