Salterhebble 29.12.13

Michael found this group of Elfcups during his morning walk along the canalside .

Scarlet Elfcup (Sarcoscypha austriaca).

Ogden, Christmas day

We had a brisk walk round the reservoir in the morning and saw the expanding Pithya vulgaris along a long stretch of path side. Also present were what I think may be Orange Cup?

Pithya vulgaris

Orange cup?

Ryburn Reservoir 26.12.13

It was a bright sunny day so Emma and I took Lacey out for a walk around the reservoir. There was no shortage of fungi to look at.

Some very small waxcaps just coming up. Most likely Heath Waxcap (Hygrocybe laeta var. laeta) given the size, colouring and striations at the edge of the cap.

Growing under a fallen larch tree was a long line of Sulphur Tuft (Hypholoma fasciculare).

 Coral Spot (Nectria cinnabarina).

White Brain (Exidia thuretiana).

Still many remains of Blackening Brittlegill (Russula nigricans) to be seen.

Common Jelly Spot (Dacrymyces stillatus).

Beech Woodwart (Hypoxylon fragiforme).

Jelly Ear (Auricularia auricula-judae).

Leafy Brain (Tremella foliacea).

Emma spotted these glowing in the sunlight. The find of the day and a new one for me.
Scarlet Caterpillarclub (Cordyceps militaris).

An Oak was covered in Wrinkled Crust (Phlebia radiata) but I've not seen it growing on/through moss like this before.

Hairy Curtain Crust (Stereum hirsutum).

 Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus).

 A single cup, possbily Peziza.

A big old Butter Cap (Rhodocollybia butyracea) tucked away under a fallen trunk.

One particular area was thick with Terracotta Hedgehogs (Hydnum rufescens).

 Olive Oysterling (Sarcomyxa serotina).

Turner Wood, Rishworth 21.12.13

I invited Alison and Oliver to join us on a short walk in the woods around Rishworth Mill Pond, unfortunately they were unable to make it so I thought I would add some of the fungi we found to the blog.

Birch Besom (Taphrina betulina) on a Silver Birch branch over the mill pond.

A Myxomycetes, possibly Dog's Vomit (Fuligo septica). On a Sycamore.

Earthball (Scleroderma citrinum). The biggest I've ever seen.

Terracotta Hedgehog (Hydnum rufescens).
A number of these were growing on the bank among the Beech roots.

An Oak trunk, host to an army of Oak Pin (Cudoniella acicularis).

Appearing overhead on an inclined Silver Birch trunk, a troop of Olive Oysterling (Sarcomyxa serotina).

So common it never gets a mention, Birch Polypore (Piptoporus Betulinus).

Jelly Ear (Auricularia auricula-judae).

 Jelly Baby (Leotia lubrica).

Common Jellyspot (Dacrymyces stillatus).

A fantastic display of tiered brackets on Silver Birch.
Crimped Gill (Plicatura crispa).
Picture of underside below.

Cromwell Bottom 19th December 2013

Hi Alison

This fungi was close to the canal on dead wood. Browner than the picture shows and initially looked like jelly ear. The fungi was hollow when squeezed and bag like. I think it probably is Jelly ear but not seen it hollow like this. Can you confirm or otherwise. I need to set up my camera properly.

Hathershelf Scout Wood 18.12.13

I took Peachysteve to see the Chlorociboria aeruginascens, but they had virtually disappeared apart from one or two fruiting bodies so instead of Green Elfcups we found Scarlet ones. They are quite small but they still look very attractive and showy standing out from the green moss. Michael tells me that they used to be used as Christmas decorations in days gone by and I can certainly see why they would look lovely hanging from any Christmas tree. 

Scarlet Elfcup (Sarcoscypha austriaca).

Stump Puffball (Lycoperdon pyriforme).

Velvet Shank (Flammulina velutipes).

Jelly Ear (Auricularia auricula-judae) on Acer.

Crystal Brain (Exidia nucleata).

Common Inkcap (Coprinopsis atramentaria).

Glistening Inkcap (Coprinellus micaceus).

Lemon Disco (Bisporella citrina).

Small Moss Oysterling (Arrhenia retiruga). I took about ten photographs but this the only one that was visible and still very poor. I think that as with all the little fungi this probably isn't rare as the records show but overlooked as they are very small. Peachysteve has found it in Dodge Royd Wood and I actually have it growing on the moss of my garden wall. 

Sulphur Tuft (Hypholoma fasciculare).

Hardcastle Crags 14.12.13

Oliver woke up and he had his heart set on going to the Crags, so off we went and happily spent the best part of the day there. We made our way to Gibson Mill from Midgehole car park along the riverside path and back again by way of the road as that is Oliver's favourite route. We have had such a mild December here this year that it has been great for us to still enjoy foraging in the great outdoors in such clement weather.

White Saddle (Helvella crispa).

Sheathed Woodtuft (Kuehneromyces mutabilis).

Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus).

Velvet Shank (Flammulina velutipes). 

As we were walking back we spotted this Northern Hairy Wood Ant hill that had a few fungi growing on it, the red arrows are pointing to them.

On closer inspection they happened to be False Chanterelles (Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca) - above and below. The ants must have gone into hibernation as there was no sign of activity.

Yellow Stagshorn (Calocera viscosa).

Wrinkled Club (Clavulina rugosa). 

On the top the brackets are Turkey Tails (Trametes versicolor).
The Olive one at the bottom is Olive Oysterling (Sarcomyxa serotina)
The little yellow spindles dotted across the centre are Calocera cornea.

A very pretty, raspberry coloured myxomycete.