Sussex Fungi Group

Jon Need paid us a visit from the Sussex Fungi Group. I had got in touch and suggested they might like to nose around a private woodland. In return I hoped to learn a little more after my recent amateurish efforts. It turned out to be a very worthwhile experience.

Work must begin

I don't remember noticing so many different mushrooms last Autumn but maybe I just wasn't really looking. It's astonishing how many one small patch of woodland can contain. I think this one is Russula ochroleuca or the 'Yellow Brittlegill'.

More Mushrooms

I noticed a few more mushrooms when at the wood. The most striking find was this brightly coloured example.

I believe it is Russula Emetica or it's common name of 'The Sickener' gives you a rather strong clue about its edibility. Eating some of this will likely get you very well acquainted with the toilet bowl.

Mushrooms Are Back

It seems the recent wet weather has spurred the mushrooms to pop up. I'm trying to learn the varieties that are in my wood with the aid of a couple of books. It's a tricky business for sure. This one I think is a Larch Bolete.

Secret Squirrel

When I went camping at the wood recently my nephew spotted a hole in the base of a tree right by the log store. It was small and showed signs of animal activity so I set up the nature camera nearby to see if I could snap a photo of it's resident. To be honest I was expecting it to be a mouse given it's size. I wasn't expecting this.

Camping At The Woods

Myself, brother and nephew spent a night at the woods. After first brewing a cup of tea on my wood stove, we took a tour around wildlife spotting. Reaching the end of the wood we heard a screeching from above to then see a buzzard circling. That screech is an eerie sound, almost like something from Jurassic Park. I guess it is a raptor after all and probably shares some genetics. I'd imagine being small, fluffy and on its menu would be pretty terrifying.

I Spy

I retrieved the wildlife camera from the wood which was revealing in many ways. It was interesting to find out what goes bump in the night........