help please

[mushroom fairy]

hi every one I'm new to the forum and to fungi identification. i would really appreciate some help. in choosing a book that i can take with me on my expeditions to our woods. i have a Collins wild guide mushrooms and toadstools an find it pretty good explanation and picture wise. but i would like a much more detailed and if possible book with coloured pictures. to identify fungi with. a sort of book that would show a wide variety of fungi and mushrooms in the UK. i would be realy grateful if any one would be able to recommend a good book. not to dearly priced. I'm just a common or garden house wife at the mo. well i can say i have found the forum so far to be great, happy mushrooming every one. and any ideas would be gratefuly accepted.

[JdeV]

Collins publish a few guides that I think win on presentation. Sterry & Hughes is excellent for a book that doesn't take up too much bag space, and it has handy sections listing some associations and rare finds, but neglects to mention seasons and doesn't advise on consumption. I also like the little one you have.

Michael Jordan has a big photographic volume that is pretty extensive. So does Roger Phillips. Both of those are awesome.

New Holland produce a terrible field guide. Just my opinion.

Good luck!

[Chris Yeates]

welcome to WAB

the best way to learn is to join a local fungus group or natural history society; it's far easier than struggling with pictures in books or the web; be prepared - mycology is very rewarding but often confusing . . . .

if you can take photographs and post them on here there's lots of help

and it will definitely pay you to read: Help us to help you identify fungi


best

Chris

[waynehicks1]

Welcome to the forum mushroom fairy.

I'd second Jdev with both Roger Philips and Michael Jordan. You can 't go wrong with either of those field guides. Both have good colour photos and detailed descriptions.

Good luck

Wayne

[fairplay]

Both Philips and Jordan are totally impractical for use in the field, they will quickly become dirty/torn or wet and big pretty pictures do not always work.

By far, the best available still for the beginner who takes fungi seriously, is the Collins Complete Guide to British Mushrooms and Toadstools, by Sterry & Hughes as mentioned above.

Do buy a protective plastic cover for it though and stick Duck tape along the edges to stop wear and tear.

Enjoy !

Neil.

[mushroom fairy]

thanks every one for the warm welcome. and the top advice will check the books out definitely. i can honestly say what a enjoyable site i have found this. and some very genuine people. thank you all for such quick and kind replies. i shall definitely be using the site and forum. cheers all. looking forward to the autumn and posting some pics.

[flaxton]

Your first lesson should be "get out there now". The autumn is when the flush of big fungi arrives but there is plenty out there already.

Mal

[violet_bug]

Welcome to the forum Mushroom fairy i do strongly reccomend Roger Phillip's Mushrooms.
Get out there now! there is loads about!

[mushroom fairy]

thank you all for the good advice an yep i'm out and about now looking for the fungi and realy enjoy it. cheers to all .