October | 2016 | Risley Moss Action Group

UK FUNGUS DAY

RISLEY MOSS

Sunday 9^th October 2016

Tom Ferguson

The foray took place at Risley Moss near Warrington which is an SSSI managed by the ranger service of Warrington Borough Council with voluntary support from the local community Action Group. The main part of the site is the former Lancashire mossland which is being restored to its former glory. However the foray took place within the predominantly Birch woodland which surrounds the moss

Fifteen people attended the foray including the Chair of the Action Group and two young enthusiasts who were invaluable in searching out fungi from the more impenetrable parts.

Fungi were a bit few and far between but thirty five species were identified. These were used to describe aspects of fungi such as their form, what to look for when identifying them, where they grow, mycorrhiza, the importance of mycorrhiza and their role in the ecological cycle.

The highlights included the Earthstars and Stinkhorn eggs and the BMS Pocket Guide was helpful in revealing what it looked like when mature. These along with the Saddles, Jelly Ear, Stagshorn, Woodwarts and various brackets helped to demonstrate the great variety of shapes and sizes.

The most dramatic of the gilled fungi were Sulphur Tuft and Glistening Ink-cap which were seen in prufusion bursting out of several decaying tree stumps.

RISLEY MOSS Species list

October 9^th 2016

Agaricus (sylvaticus) Wood mushroom

Annulohypoxylon multiforme Birch Woodwart

Auricularia auricula-judaea Jelly Ear

Boletus badius Bay Bolete

Chlorociboria aeruginascens Green Elf Cup

Clitocybe (fragrans) Fragrant Funnel

Clitocybe (metachroa)

Coprinellus micaceus Glistening Inkcap

Coprinopsis atramentarius Common Inkcap

Daedalea quercina Oak Mazegill

Entoloma sp Pinkgill

Ganoderma australe Southern Bracket

Helvella crispa Common Saddle

Hypholoma fasciculare Sulphur Tuft

Inocybe geophylla White Fibrecap

Laccaria laccata The Deceiver

Lacrymaria lacrymabunda Weeping Widows

Lactarius tabidus Birch Milkcap

Lepiota cristata Stinking Dapperling

Lepista flaccida Tawny Funnel

Lycoperdon perlatum Common Puffball

Lyophyllum decastes Clustered Domecap

Mycena galericulata Common Bonnet

Mycena vitilis Snapping Bonnet

Paxillus involutus Brown Roll-rim

Phallus impudicus Stinkhorn

Pholiota squarrosa Shaggy Scalycap

Piptoporus betulinus Birch polypore, Razorstrop Fungus

Psathyrella multipedata Clustered Brittlestem

Russula ochroleuca Ochre Brittlegill

Scleroderma citrinum Common Earthball

Scleroderma verrucosum Scaly Earthball

Trametes versicolor Turkeytail

Xylaria hypoxylon Candle nuff/Stagshorn

Tom Ferguson

10 October 2016

Brackets are most likely but not absolutely certain identifications

Many thanks for Tom for this report on the species seen at risley moss on Sunday and I hope all who attended had a good time and came away with more appreciation of the Fungi around us.

Paul Speake

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October News

Although there can be some lingering summery weather in late September, we are definitely into autumn in October. Even so, you may still see the odd butterfly on warmer days; these are likely to be species such as Peacock that over-winter as adults and will be the first to appear in spring. Unfortunately, this is 5-6 months away, so enjoy them while you can. There are also still some late dragonflies around, in fact i saw a few darters there on Sunday.

Most of the summer migrant birds have now left and we can look forward to the arrival of the winter visitor birds. Usually, the first are flocks of Redwing, which often arrive during the night but can be detected by their thin, high whistle. Often they can arrive in large numbers that are very hungry and can strip berry bearing trees such as hawthorn in a few hours.

The Redwing is slightly smaller and darker than the Song Thrush and easily identified by the red mark under its wing. If you see a flock of thrushes feeding in bushes or on fields, they are almost certain to be Redwings.

As the leaves start to fall, you can see fungi around the site, especially after damp weather. Some of the fungi such as the Birch Bracket fungus can be seen all through the year but is far more obvious in winter. You can see them on the branches and trunks of many dead birch trees around the site. If you are lucky, you may also see the classically coloured Fly Agaric on the woodland floor. This species is poisonous, as are several others so if in doubt, don’t pick them!

Phil Rees

Risley Moss Action Group

Monthly Archives: October 2016

Risley Moss Fungal Foray 09/10/16

What to See at Risley Moss in October 2016