NWFG foray at Dobshill, Flint

July 28, 2024 NWFG photos fungus fungi mushroom toadstool

My first foray with the lovely North West Fungus Group was about an hour’s drive from home and into Flintshire.

After being cautioned that since the weather had been so dry of late that we were unlikely to find too many in the way of fruiting bodies, we set off into the woods. Luckily, the warning proved unfounded and the day brought quite a few discoveries.

Some members quickly spotted bramble leaf rust fungus (Phragmidium bulbosum) and a couple of others not featured here.

We soon came across Candlesnuff fungus growing on rotting tree branches on the ground. I’m told that this species is actually bioluminescent to a small degree, and the light can be detected using very long exposures in almost complete darkness.

Species #1 (poss. Xylaria hypoxylon)

No woodland foray would be complete without spotting Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor), and we found small examples of this growing on several patches of fallen and cut tree branches and stumps.

Species #2 Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)

Someone spotted a tiny Mica Cap (Coprinellus micaceous) and we stopped to admire the sparkly little dusting of material on the cap that gives this species its name.

Species #3 Mica Cap (Coprinellus micaceous)

Next to be found was a material not unlike paint or polystyrene growing on a branch on the woodland floor. The tiny pores within the texture could be seen using a 10x hand lens but I’m afraid I didn’t get a macro photo on this occasion.

Species #4 [Pending correct ID from NWFG]

By far the most numerous species noticed on the day were the Sulf[ph]ur Tufts (Hypholoma fasciculare). A few specimens were discovered close to the path earlier on, and then a huge fallen trunk futher off into the woodland was home to a much larger colony of them.

Species #5 Sulfur Tuft (Hypholoma fasciculare)