First Find of the Summer

[cowshill]

The amanita muscaria have just started appearing in a patch where they come up every year. Here's one that the squirrels haven't gotten to yet.



I haven't seen anything else yet except for a smattering of little jobs whose identities elude me. It seems early for the muscaria here (400 meters up in the North Pennines), especially as it has been quite dry. Are people seeing these elsewhere?

- Jim

[nobby c]

Not seen any yet but i think i will be having a look very soon... There are normally lots and lots down here.

[fairplay]

Laura (Morchella) thought she'd found a very wet and washed out one on June 18 which I thought too early - perhaps Laura was right.

But as Cowshill points out, even his seem early.

Neil.

[Andy Overall]

Originally Posted by cowshill

The amanita muscaria have just started appearing in a patch where they come up every year. Here's one that the squirrels haven't gotten to yet.



I haven't seen anything else yet except for a smattering of little jobs whose identities elude me. It seems early for the muscaria here (400 meters up in the North Pennines), especially as it has been quite dry. Are people seeing these elsewhere?

- Jim

The squirrels must be partying around there!!! Poor slugs, missed out again!

Andy

[cowshill]

Two more patches of muscaria sighted at Burnhope reservoir, including a group of at least 20 in a place where I've never seen them before. Two years ago was the summer of the blusher; is this going to be the summer of the fly agaric?

- Jim

[cowshill]

I keep seeing more and more every day. There were at least 8 fruit bodies crammed together in this cluster. Never seen anything quite like it.



- Jim

[jonbem]

This was my best one for amanita muscara a couple of years ago. I say best because all the classic pics are of them domed, I believe this is a rarity! Full Mature Amanita Muscara
How it evaded all the critters and trampling to get to that full mature "cup" state is a mystery. And around 30 miles from you just outside Richmond.

[cowshill]

A perfect specimen. (Even if not in perfect focus)



- Jim

[Gruntharst]

I've found fairy chapignons on masse, blushers, and a few very welcome chanterelles. I've also found several Amanita excelsa today.

[fairplay]

A few days ago, i went to look at a suspected Orchard Tooth Fungus, Sarcodontia crocea.

This is a BAP species, but I am sure this is being overlooked through lack of publicity.

The fungus is a resupinate form, growing around a wound in a branch, or filling up cavities, in knot holes, around died back stumps of sawn off branches, can be on live or dead trees, or even on large branches on the ground.
Its colour is deep yellow with wine red discolouration, and a strong fruity smell, but up close you will see it is made up of spines between 5 - 15 mm long.

So far in Britain, it only occurs on old Apple Trees often high up, so if you see anything strange on old Apple Trees which you think you will never be able to identify, don't give up, but consider this fungus instead.

This turned out to be new to Suffolk.

Neil.