Above: Strophariaceae group ©Phillip Delve
Leader: Alvan White, aided by Phillip Delve (PD), Tom Rogers and Paul Barton
A small group attended this meeting under grey skies. On previous days and nights heavy rainfall had been prevalent and temperatures had been falling, so conditions were ideal for fungi, and this aspect did not disappoint. Shearwater has acid soil, so Rhododendron, Broom, Gorse, Ling and Bell Heather are present.
Within minutes, participants were treated to a flyby Kingfisher and Red Kite with a Little Egret at the top end of the lake. Over the period of the walk further species were added, including Great Crested Grebe and one youngster , Coal Tit, Robins, Wren, Grey Heron, Grey Wagtail, and Nuthatch.
Use of the Merlin app also detected the calls of both Goldcrest and Firecrest. The latter was first identified behind the yacht club. PD’s ears were able to pick out the calls of Siskin.
Mint Leaf Beetle © Phillip Delve
Early on, both the larvae and adult stages of the very bright green Mint Leaf Beetle (Chrysolina herbacea) were identified. Specimens were found on Water Mint at the back of the yacht club (as per the 2022 trip here).
Other beetles found included a species of Dor Beetle and Alder Beetles. I briefly found a colourful Rhododendron Leafhopper (Graphocephala fennahi), but this hopped away before it could be photographed.
Dor Beetle sp © Phillip Delve.
A probable Garden Spider was found and through binoculars observed spinning its web. It had the typical red annulations on the legs but unusually to my mind a dark abdomen. It was high up and so difficult to photograph.
PD took excellent pictures of the wealth of fungi. The list included Panther cap/Blusher (Amanita pantherina/A. rubescens), Penny Bun (Boletus edulis), Stinkhorn (Phallus impudicus) in its witch’s egg state, Common Earthball (Scleroderma citrinum), Common Puffball (Lycoperdon perlatum), Bay Bolete (Imleria badia), Plums and Custard (Tricholomopsis rutilans), Oak Mazegill (Fomitopsis quercina), Freckled Dapperling (Echinoderma asperum), Shaggy Inkcap (Coprinus comatus), Sulphur Tuft (Hypholoma fasciculare) and very many Brittlegills.
Either The Blusher Amanita rubescens or Panther Cap Amanita pantherina © Phillip Delve
Shaggy Inkcap Coprinus comatus ©Alvan White
Plums and Custard Tricholomopsis rutilans © Phillip Delve
Common Stinkhorn Phallus impudicus Witches egg stage © Phillip Delve
Common Puffball Lycoperdon perlatum © Alvan White
Bay Bolete Imleria badia © Phillip Delve
Ash Black Slug Limax cinereonniger © Phillip Delve
A peel back of bark from a dying tree revealed a black slug, but this looked like one not commonly seen in gardens. The pale stripe on the back was distinctive: later research revealed that it was an Ash-black Slug (Limax cinereoniger), one of the largest slugs in the world. For the fascinating life history see www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/animals/slugs-and-snails/ash-black-slug/.
Oak Mazegill Formitopsis quercina © Phillip Delve
European Hornet © Phillip Delve
The icing on the cake was the host of European Hornets, gathered at the bottom of a tree. This suggested they were feeding on leaking sap. Paul related that they can emit a warning pheromone, to alert other Hornets into attack mode. An odd one was inquisitive, but no harm came to the photographers. Mike Williams later recounted that in an active colony, the workers look after the young and as a reward are able to feed on the sugary substance given off by the young. Once the colony dies off the hornets need to find a substitute and that is found in the leaking sap from trees.
The weather deteriorated after lunch, so we retired back to the cars. It had been an enjoyable meeting, with excellent participation by attendees.
Alvan White
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