Fungal Friends Sightings

FUNGAL FRIENDS SIGHTINGS

(Member of the Fungus Conservation Trust - Registered Charity No. 1118651)

News from within and outside the area.

28th December 2015 - Derwent Reservoir, Derbyshire - A stroll with my lasses and despite the bird front being appalling a few fungi were noted:- Bjerkandera adusta; Hydnum repandum; Rhopographus filicinus; Datonia mollis; Hypoxylon fragiforme; Nectria cinnabarina; Trametes versicolor; Chondrostereum purpureum; Flammulina velutipes; Hyphodontia sambuci; Sarcomyxa serotina; Exidia glandulosa; Taphrina betulina; Phaeolus schweinitzii; Hypholoma fasciculare; Xylaria hypoxylon; Rhytisma acerinum and Collybia cookei.

27th December 2015 - Tandle Hill, G. Manchester - A stroll around a nearby area brought 22 species; these were:- Rhopographus filicinus; Sarcomyxa serotina; Hypoxylon fragiforme; Stereum hirsutum; Trametes versicolor; Coprinellus micaceus; Piptoporus betulinus; Lepista nuda; Rhytisma acerinum; Heterobasidion annosum; Stereum sanguinolentum; Hyphodontia sambuci; Pleurotus ostreatus; Daedaleopsis confragosa; Xylaria hypoxylon; Ganoderma australe; Annulohypoxylon multiforme; Flammulina velutipes; Exidia nucleata; Scutellinia scutellata; Tubaria furfuracea and the myxo Fuligo septica.

19th December 2015 - Poynton Coppice, Cheshire - A few fungi noted, it all gets recorded and these tucked away sites get a bit of note to boot:- Trametes versicolor; Stereum hirsutum; Rhopographus filicinus; Hypholoma fasciculare; Xylaria hypoxylon; Bjerkandera adusta; Chondrostereum purpureum; Panellus stipticus; Annulohypoxylon multiforme; Peniophora quercina; Rhytisma acerinum; Vuilleminia comedens; Piptoporus betulinus and Sarcomyxa serotina.

13th December 2015 - Chorlton WP, G. Manchester - A walk doing a bit of birding with a few fungi noted along the way (33 species in fact), these being:- Auricularia mesenterica; Xylaria hypoxylon; Annulohypoxylon multiforme; Piptoporus betulinus; Bjerkandera adusta; Exidia nucleata; Exidia thuretiana; Daedaleopsis confragosa; Lepiota cristata; Stereum hirsutum; Hyphodontia sambuci; Auricularia auricula-judae; Rhytisma acerinum; Vuillemina comedens; Byssomerulius corium; Hypholoma fasciculare; Cuphophyllus virgineus; Hygrocybe conica; Trametes versicolor; Coprinopsis atramentaria; Chlorophyllum rhacodes; Agaricus xanthodermus; Hypoxylon fragiforme; Lyophyllum decastes; Cylindrobasidium laeve; Diaporthe samaricola; Lycoperdon pyriforme; Ganoderma applanatum; Leptosphaeria doliolum; Crepidotus cesatii; Bjerkandera fumosa; Lepiota aspera and a lone Shaggy Ink Cap just outside the reserve at the side of the road.

6th December 2015 - Highfield CP, G. Manchester - A local area walk for two tired old beans. 32 species of fungi noted were:- Xylaria hypoxylon; Annulohypoxylon multiforme; Piptoporus betulinus; Helvella crispa (57 fresh fruiting bodies); Exidia nucleata; Daedaleopsis confragosa; Lepiota cristata; Stereum hirsutum; Tubaria furfuracea; Trochila ilicina; Vullemina coryli; Hyphodontia sambuci; Rhopographus filicinus; Ganoderma australe; Auricularia auricula-judae; Rhytisma acerinum; Vuillemina comedens; Byssomerulius corium; Chondrostereum purpureum; Lactarius pyrogalus; Phragmidium violaceum; Leptosphaeria doliolum; Phoma samararum; Diaporthe samaricola; Ascocoryne cylichnium; Bisporella citrina; Tricholoma scalpturatum; Mollisia amenticola; Crepidotus cesatii; Tremella mesenterica; Nectria cinnabarina and Stereum gausapatum.

2nd December 2015 - Gorse Hill NR, Lancashire - Prior to falling foul of a rapidly attacking virus I, and my grand lady, managed to see the following fungi:- Trametes versicolor; Diatrype stigma; Exidia nucleata; Crepidotus mollis; Crepidotus cesatii; Crepidotus epibryus; Phragmidium bulbosum; Ganoderma australe; Clavulina rugosa; Xylaria hypoxylon; Lycoperdon excipuliforme; Clitocybe fragrans; Lactarius glyciosmus; Vuillemina comedens; Peniophora quercina; Nectria cinnabarina; Lepista nuda; Lepista flaccida; Paxillus involutus; Stereum hirsutum; Mycena polygramma; Rutstroemia firma; Mensularia radiata; Inocybe rimosa and Hormotheca robertiani.

25th November 2015 - Parrs Wood, G. Manchester - After a run I had a quick shuftie in a wet willow area with little success. The species seen were:- Kuehneromyces mutabilis; Coprinopsis atramentaria; Datronia mollis; Chondrostereum purpureum; Stereum hirsutum; Rhytisma acerinum; Hormotheca robertiani; Exidia nucleata; Trametes gibbosa; Daedaleopsis confragosa; Xylaria hypoxylon and Cylindrobasidium laeve.

14th November 2015 - Ainsdale NE, Lancashire - The weather was set for horrendous and it was late in the season so when we finished the day without any rain (well one brief shower whilst we were under the trees) and with a good selection of species we could hardly moan at all, in fact we didn't. 8 of us set off and after some microscopy at night the list stands at a grand 125 species with some good findings in the mix. The list is as follows:- Rhytisma acerinum; Leccinum scabrum; Stereum hirsutum; Chondrostereum purpureum; Clitocybe fragrans; Mycena galopus; Xylaria hypoxylon; Mycena adscendens; Macrotyphula fistulosa var. contorta; Paxillus involutus; Thelephora spiculosa; Annulohypoxylon multiforme; Tubaria furfuracea; Amanita muscaria; Trametes versicolor; Entoloma rhodopolium; Rickenella fibula; Piptoporus betulinus; Cortinarius uliginosus; Clavulina cinerea; Laccaria laccata; Leccinum variicolor; Dacrymyces stillatus; Mycena galericulata; Crepidotus mollis; Xylaria longipes; Melampsoridium betulinum; Clitocybe nebularis; Coprinellus micaceus; Exidia thuretiana; Uromyces trifolii-repentis; Russula betularum; Leratiomyces ceres; Stereum rugosum; Ganoderma australe; Calocera cornea; Exidia nucleata; Pleurotus ostreatus; Gymnopilus penetrans; Baespora myosura; Bjerkandera adusta; Coprinopsis lagopus; Nectria cinnabarina; Hypholoma fasciculare; Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca; Lepista sordida; Trichaptum abietinum; Auricularia auricula-judae; Mycena galopus var. nigra; Mycena pura; Geastrum fimbriatum; Geastrum triplex; Cystoderma amianthinum; Lepista nuda; Sphaeropsis sapinea; Hygrocybe conicoides; Cuphophyllus virgineus; Hygrocybe reidii; Neotiella rutilans; Lactarius aurantiacus; Rickenella swartzii; Lactarius deliciosus; Bovista plumbea; Gliophorus psittacinus; Russula sardonia; Lycoperdon perlatum; Agaricus xanthodermus; Rhodocollybia butyracea; Lactarius glyciosmus; Russula persicina; Otidea bufonia; Cortinarius trivialis; Phlebia radiata; Puccinia menthae; Stropharia semiglobata; Hygrocybe conica; Ischnoderma benzoinum; Lepista flaccida; Bolbitius titubans; Russula ochroleuca; Suillus luteus; Boletus badius; Pluteus cervinus; Russula fragilis; Schizopora paradoxa; Laccaria amethystina; Vuilleminia comedens; Peniophora quercina; Microsphaera alphitoides; Postia subcaesia; Lactarius quietus; Exidia plana; Humaria hemisphaerica; Arrhenia retiruga; Armillaria ostoyae; Cordyceps ophioglossoides; Hyphodontia sambuci; Melanotus horizontalis; Claviceps purpurea; Penicillium stoloniferum; Phragmidium violaceum; Crepidotus cesatii; Crepidotus epibryus; Schizophyllum amplum; Ascocoryne sarcoides; Trichoglossum hirsutum; Geoglossum cookeianum; Clavulinopsis luteoalba; Clavaria fragilis; Bisporella sulfurina; Typhula setipes; Melanoleuca melaleuca; Galerina vittiformis; Fuscoporia ferrea; Tricholoma terreum; Clavulinopsis helvola; Inocybe sindonia; Hygrocybe insipida; Omphalina pyxidata; Panaeolus acuminatus; Tremella mesenterica; Hebeloma helodes; Sordaria superba; Mycena speirea; Lachnum pudibundum and the myxo Mucilago crustacea.

12th November 2015 - River Mersey/Heaton Moor, Cheshire - Tubaria furfuracea; Coprinus comatus, Pholiota squarrosa; Volvariella gloiocephala; Coprinellus atramentaria; Sphaerotheca alchemillae; Discostroma tostum and Illosporiopsis christiansenii noted whilst walking to work again and pottering in the dinner break. Still pretty warm too.

11th November 2015 - Heaton Moor, Cheshire - Stegophora ulmea; Lepista nuda; Gloioxanthomyces vitellinus; Geastrum triplex and Erysiphe urticae were seen walking to work and during a quick break to clear the head.

10th November 2015 - River Mersey/Heaton Moor, Cheshire - Wandering to work and home plus a nip to the shops at dinner produced:- Puccinia graminis; Microsphaera berberidis; Rhytisma acerinum; Amanita muscaria; Paxillus involutus; Leratiomyces ceres; Clitocybe nebularis; Agaricus arvensis; Clavulina cinerea; Dermoloma cuneifolium; Humidicutis calyptriformis and Gliophorus psittacinus.

8th November 2015 - Consall Nature Reserve, Staffordshire - The final public walk of the year, a year that has been darn hard work and one that has finally fagged me out. Today was a new area, one I knew nothing about and after a pre-walk potter around the car park, a three and a half hour walk and a bit of evening microscopy (yes folks I missed the gig tonight) the list stands at 95 species, these being:- Lepista flaccida; Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca; Rhodocollybia butyracea; Mycena sanguinolenta; Marasmiellus ramealis; Exidia recisa; Bjerkandera adusta; Bjerkandera fumosa; Piptoporus betulinus; Clitocybe nebularis; Peniophora quercina; Lepista sordida; Melanophyllum haematospermum; Annulohypoxylon multiforme; Rhopographus filicinus; Vuilleminia comedens; Dacrymyces stillatus; Lactarius deterrimus; Stereum hirsutum; Mycena adscendens; Daedaleopsis confragosa; Exidia glandulosa; Exidia thuretiana; Lactarius torminosus; Mycena galopus; Microsphaera alphitoides; Claviceps purpurea; Stereum gausapatum; Helvella crispa; Trichaptum abietinum; Stereum rugosum; Trochila ilicina; Mycena pura; Clitocybe odora; Hypomyces chrysospermus; Auricularia auricula-judae; Hyphodontia sambuci; Vuilleminia coryli; Clitocybe gibba; Pycnostysanus azaleae; Mycena galericulata; Nectria cinnabarina; Trametes versicolor; Coprinellus micaceus; Golovinomyces sordidus; Paxillus involutus; Coleosporium tussilaginis; Xylaria hypoxylon; Kuehneromyces mutabilis; Trichoderma viride; Tubaria furfuracea; Pluteus cervinus; Clitocybe fragrans; Clavulina cinerea; Xylaria longipes; Phlebia tremellosa; Polyporus durus; Polyporus leptocephalus; Phoma samararum; Gloeophyllum sepiarium; Hypholoma fasciculare; Lepista nuda; Russula ochroleuca; Scleroderma citrinum; Calocera pallidospathulata; Bolbitius titubans; Phacidium multivalve; Amanita muscaria; Daldinia concentrica; Mycena inclinata; Postia subcaesia; Coprinellus disemminatus; Puccinia variabilis; Sarcomyxa serotina; Ganoderma australe; Rhytisma acerinum; Schizopora paradoxa; Tapinella panuoides; Thelephora spiculosa; Crepidotus cesatii; Crepidotus variabilis; Mycosphaerella pteridis; Phragmidium violaceum; Hypoxylon fuscum; Phomatospora berkeleyi; Rutstroemia firma; Coniophora puteana; Clitocybe metachroa; Entoloma conferendum; Inocybe cincinnata; Hymenochaete corrugata; Diatrype stigma; Mycena mirata; Russula parazurea and the myxo Lycogala epidendrum.

1st November 2015 - Crompton Moor, G. Manchester - A decent crowd todaty in stunning temperatures with the sun dazzling away and 3 species of butterfly on the wing. The fungal finds were difficult and only perseverence and a touch of microscopy made for an end list of 60 species, these being:- Claviceps purpurea; Puccinia lagenophorae; Uromyces trifolii-repentis; Hygrophorus hypothejus; Clitocybe nebularis; Melampsoridium betulinum; Microsphaera alphitoides; Mycena galericulata; Rhytisma acerinum; Rhodocollybia butyracea; Gymnopus peronatus; Laccaria proxima; Auricularia auricula-judae; Suillus grevellei; Cystoderma amianthinum; Hygrocybe reidii; Psilocybe semilanceata; Stropharia semiglobata; Suillus luteus; Stropharia pseudocyanea; Leccinum scabrum; Rickenella fibula; Neotiella rutilans; Bovista nigrescens; Phaeolus schweinitzii; Paxillus involutus; Lactarius rufus; Laccaria laccata; Mycena epipterygia; Cuphophyllus virgineus; Hygrocybe vitellina; Hygrocybe laeta; Rhopographus filicinus; Coleosporium tussilaginis; Russula ochroleuca; Hypholoma capnoides; Mycena sanguinolenta; Heterobasidion annosum; Stereum sanguinolentum; Calocera viscosa; Bjerkandera adusta; Hypholoma fasciculare; Lycoperdon excipuliforme; Daedaleopsis confragosa; Piptoporus betulinus; Daldinia concentrica; Lycoperdon pyriforme; Xylaria hypoxylon; Mycena adscendens; Polyporus leptocephalus; Xylaria polymorpha; Phragmidium violaceum; Leptosphaeria doliolum; Ascocoryne cylichnium; Crepidotus luteolus; Crepidotus cesatii; Penicillium brevicompactum; Clavulinopsis fusiformis; Clavaria argillacea and Hygrocybe citrinopallida.

31st October 2015 - Anderton NR, Cheshire - A good bunch of folk today with some familiar faces helped me enjoy myself despite another darn cold fuzzing up the noggin. Mind you, good company from my missus, a sausage bap and a cup of tea and decent weather also helped buck up my spirits too. So from 10am until 1.30pm a pleasant stroll was had and despite things seemingly slow the list (after some evening microscopy) crept up to 69 species, these being:- Lepista saeva; Clavaria cinerea; Bjerkandera adusta; Cuphophyllus virgineus; Xylaria hypoxylon; Tubaria furfuracea; Rhytisma acerinum; Stereum hirsutum; Hyphodontia sambuci; Nectria cinnabarina; Coprinopsis atramentaria; Scleroderma citrinum; Lyophyllum decastes; Byssomerulius corium; Bolbitius titubans; Annulohypoxylon multiforme; Stereum rugosum; Xylaria longipes; Lactarius torminosus; Piptoporus betulinus; Lycoperdon pyriforme; Triphragmium ulmariae; Rhopographus filicinus; Coleosporium tussilaginis; Boletus badius; Marasmius rotula; Mycena adscendens; Tricholoma scalpturatum; Claviceps purpurea; Amanita muscaria; Trametes versicolor; Coprinellus micaceus; Lactarius glyciosmus; Hypomyces chrysospermus; Leccinum scabrum; Hydnum repandum; Auricularia auricula-judae; Lepista sordida; Flammulina velutipes; Mycena galericulata; Dacrymyces stillatus; Phlebia tremellosa; Daedaleopsis confragosa; Clitocybe nebularis; Daldinia concentrica; Stropharia inuncta; Psilocybe semilanceata; Laccaria laccata; Uromyces trifolii-repentis; Pholiota squarrosa; Ganoderma australe; Coprinellus disseminatus; Hypholoma fasciculare; Leptosphaeria doliolum; Diatrypella quercina; Phragmidium bulbosum; Puccinia arenariae; Crepidotus luteolus; Crepidotus cesatii; Parasola auricoma; Parasola kuehneri; Bisporella citrina; Mycena olivaceomarginata; Pluteus chrysophaeus; Naucoria escharioides; Clavaria falcata; Stropharia caerulea; Lepiota tomentella and Radulomyces molaris.

30th October 2015 - Abney Hall, Stockport, Cheshire - The season has been impeding my attempt to do a bit more jogging and lost a bit of weight off the old waistline. Couple this with my eternally ravenous nature and a few pounds have snuck back on where they are not wanted. So today I had a trot out and of course, on my way back, did a spot of shrooming. The list of 51 species is as follows:- Mycena mirata; Mycena galopus; Mycena rorida; Spinellus fusiger; Rhytisma acerinum; Lactarius tabidus; Puccinia menthae; Lactarius glyciosmus; Exidia nucleata; Pluteus cervinus; Xylaria hypoxylon; Schizopora paradoxa; Trametes versicolor; Tricholoma sciodes; Trochila ilicina; Pycnostysanus azaleae; Stereum hirsutum; Clitocybe fragrans; Cyanoboletus pulverulentus; Cuphophyllus pratensis; Postia caesia; Dacrymyces stillatus; Clitocybe nebularis; Ganoderma australe; Coprinellus micaceus; Daldinia concentrica; Microsphaera alphitoides; Calocera cornea; Hypoxylon fragiforme; Hyphodontia sambuci; Calyptella capula; Chlorophyllum rhacodes; Hypholoma fasciculare; Coprinopsis lagopus; Auricularia auricula-judae; Nectria cinnabarina; Annulohypoxylon multiforme; Bjerkandera adusta; Pleurotus ostreatus; Flammulina velutipes; Vuillemina comedens; Peniophora quercina; Stereum rugosum; Phragmidium violaceum; Crepidotus cesatii; Ascocoryne cylichnium; Clavulinopsis helvola; Clavulinopsis laeticolor; Dasyscyphus sulfureus; Leptosphaeria doliolum; Phoma samararum and Macroconia leptosphaeriae.

28th October 2015 - Crowden, Derbyshire - A check of a woodchip pile and Peziza micropus; Hypholoma fasciculare and Coprinopsis lagopus was all that was in fruit.

28th October 2015 - Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire - Incredibly hard rain all morning didn't deter us from having a walk and at the end of 3 hours, with soaking feet me and my lasses decided to wrap up and go for some lunch in the car. We did another hour, called in at the shops and cafe for a cuppa and came home in good time. The list of 77 in no way reflects the potential of the area. The species listed were:- Pholiota squarrosa; Coprinellus micaceus; Skeletocutis amorpha; Rhytisma acerinum; Rhopographus filicinus; Mycena inclinata; Pycnostysanus azaleae; Clitocybe nebularis; Polyporus tuberaster; Lactarius blennius; Trametes versicolor; Russula nobilis; Gymnopus confluens; Mycena galericulata; Stereum hirsutum; Rhodocollybia butyracea; Piptoporus betulinus; Laccaria laccata; Lactarius tabidus; Hygrocybe reidii; Amanita muscaria; Fomes fomentarius; Vuilleminia comedens; Peniophora quercina; Lactarius turpis; Macrotyphula fistula; Cystoderma amianthinum; Cuphophyllus virgineus; Bovista nigrescens; Calocera viscosa; Trichaptum abietinum; Dacrymyces stillatus; Gymnopilus penetrans; Russula ochroleuca; Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca; Claviceps purpurea; Rickenella fibula; Boletus badius; Scleroderma citrinum; Xylaria hypoxylon; Helvella lacunosa; Mycena galopus; Macrocystidia cucumis; Mycena pura; Auricularia auricula-judae; Amanita citrina; Paxillus involutus; Rhodocollybia maculata; Calocera pallido-spathulata; Gymnopus peronatus; Russula betularum; Lepiota cristata; Hypholoma fasciculare; Ganoderma australe; Russula cyanoxantha; Macrolepiota procera; Clitocybe fragrans; Fistulina hepatica; Nectria cinnabarina; Chlorophyllum rhacodes; Trochila ilicina; Cuphophyllus pratensis; Lactarius quietus; Stereum gausapatum; Bolbitius titubans; Lepista flaccida; Microsphaera alphitoides; Puccinia menthae; Leptosphaeria doliolum; Stropharia caerulea; Clavulinopsis helvola; Crepidotus luteolus; Crepidotus variabilis; Mycena polygramma; Baeospora myosura; Clitocybe gibba and Phragmidium violaceum.

27th October 2015 - Sherwood Pines, Nottinghamshire - The second stop of the day and armed with a warm drink we ambled along slowly and did a brief 90 minute mooch. Only 25 species named and shamed but a place to revisit we think. The list was:- Rhodocollybia butyracea; Amanita muscaria; Lactarius deterrimus; Lactarius turpis; Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca; Russula ochroleuca; Hypholoma fasciculare; Bovista nigrescens; Armillaria ostoyae; Claviceps purpurea; Clitocybe nebularis; Lepista sordida; Clitocybe fragrans, Lycoperdon perlatum; Hygrophorus hypothejus; Trichaptum abietinum; Chalciporus piperatus; Lactarius glyciosmus; Laccaria amethystina; Vuilleminia comedens; Gymnopilus penetrans; Suillus luteus; Trametes versicolor; Bjerkandera adusta and Xylaria hypoxylon.

27th October 2015 - Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire - Starting at 11am the first port of call was the cafe for a bacon, sausage and egg bap for me, 2 cheese and onion pasties for the lasses, hot drinks all round and some snacks for on our walk. An hour later we set off for a discovery of the area and to see if we could see a few fungi along the way. The list of 76 was made up of usual fare but 2 rarities were thrown in and upped the quality level. The list was:- Mycena pura; Xylaria hypoxylon; Stereum hirsutum; Lepista flaccida; Microsphaera alphitoides; Hyphodontia sambuci; Mycena inclinata; Armillaria gallica; Bulgaria inquinans; Trametes versicolor; Rhodocollybia butyracea; Fomes fomentarius; Lepista nuda; Russula betularum; Stereum gausapatum; Clitocybe nebularis; Cudoniella acicularis; Rhopographus filicinus; Lactarius tabidus; Phallus impudicus; Laccaria laccata; Mycena galericulata; Stereum rugosum; Lactarius turpis; Paxillus involutus; Annulohypoxylon multiforme; Piptoporus betulinus; Hypholoma fasciculare; Amanita citrina; Laccaria amethystina; Lactarius quietus; Flammulina velutipes; Sarcomyxa serotina; Russula ochroleuca; Amanita vaginata; Amanita muscaria; Chalciporus piperatus; Tubaria furfuracea; Cordyceps militaris; Gliophorus psittacina; Boletus badius; Hygrocybe reidii; Rickenella fibula; Bovista nigrescens; Scleroderma citrinum; Laccaria proxima; Chondrostereum purpureum; Boletus edulis; Gliophorus laeta; Panellus semiovatus; Cystoderma amianthinum; Nectria cinnabarina; Fistulina hepatica; Microbotryum violaceum; Coprinellus micaceus; Lycoperdon perlatum; Schizopora paradoxa; Heterobasidion annosum; Claviceps purpurea; Pholiota squarrosa; Coprinopsis lagopus; Gymnopilus dilepis; Coprinus comatus; Bjerkandera adusta; Agrocybe rivulosa; Calocera cornea; Gymnopus peronatus; Hygrocybe conica; Leccinum scabrum; Volvariella surrecta; Galerina vittiformis; Ascocoryne sarcoides; Panellus stipticus; Clavulinopsis helvola; Fuscoporia ferrea and the myxo Lycogala epidendrum.

26th October 2015 - Lyme Park, Cheshire - A Young Carers day out, 12 kids in tow and very busy it was with barely anytime to look for fungi after playing in the park, indulging in 3 games of Manhunt, doing a spot of dancing and having lunch. Whilst wandering though Armillaria mellea; Pholiota squarrosa; Coprinellus micaceus; Hypholoma fasciculare; Pluteus cervinus; Chondrostereum purpureum; Xylaria hypoxylon; Russula nobilis and the myxo Lycogala epidendrum were noted.

25th October 2015 - Erddig CP, Wrexham - Another full house and some darn fine weather to wander in. An initial wander indicated things would be a struggle but an end list of 103 proved that with a little effort a decent total can still be amassed. The list was:- Tubaria furfuracea; Armillaria mellea; Puccinia allii; Rhytisma acerinum; Lepista flaccida; Clitocybe nebularis; Trametes versicolor; Stereum gausapatum; Stereum hirsutum; Claviceps purpurea; Microsphaera alphitoides; Hypoxylon fragiforme; Pleurotus ostreatus; Rhodocollybia butyracea; Puccinia lagenophorae; Hygrocybe conica; Trochila ilicina; Cuphophyllus virgineus; Calocera cornea; Dacrymyces stillatus; Bolbitius titubans; Armillaria ostoyae; Mycena galericulata; Gymnopilus penetrans; Xylaria longipes; Pluteus cervinus; Nectria cinnabarina; Auricularia auricula-judae; Psilocybe semilanceata; Exidia thuretiana; Chondrostereum purpureum; Clitocybe gibba; Scleroderma verrucosum; Laccaria laccata; Gymnopus confluens; Laccaria amethystina; Stereum rugosum; Stropharia inuncta; Lactarius blennius; Tricholoma ustale; Russula nobilis; Cuphophyllus pratensis; Clavulinopsis corniculata; Gliophorous psittacina; Cystoderma amianthinum; Dermoloma cuneifolium; Bovista plumbea; Rickenella swartzii; Bjerkandera adusta; Taphrina alni; Daldinia concentrica; Coprinus comatus; Fistulina hepatica; Ganoderma australe; Xylaria hypoxylon; Lepista nuda; Phoma samararum; Helvella lacunosa; Trametes gibbosa; Clavulina coralloides; Polyporus leptocephalus; Xerocomus pruinatus; Phacidium multivalve; Puccinia glechomatis; Daedaleopsis confragosa; Coprinellus micaceus; Russula ochroleuca; Pholiota squarrosa; Amanita muscaria; Amanita rubescens; Crepidotus mollis; Puccinia veronicae; Hypholoma fasciculare; Erysiphe heraclei; Pholiota alnicola; Phlebia tremellosa; Leotia lubrica; Phragmidium violaceum; Clavulinopsis helvola; Clavulinopsis laeticolor; Leptosphaeria doliolum; Mycena inclinata; Tricholoma scalpturatum; Hypomyces aurantius; Hydropisphaera peziza; Ossicaulis lignatilis; Mensularia radiata; Cyanoboletus pulverulentus; Macrolepiota procera; Lycoperdon perlatum; Melanoleuca polioleuca; Hygrocybe chlorophana; Hygrocybe coccinea; Hygrocybe quieta; Parasola plicatilis; Mycena leptocephala; Clavaria fragilis; Basidioradulum radula; Entoloma conferendum; Galerina clavata; Hymenoscyphus fructigenus; Puccinia punctiformis and Mycena flavoalba.

24th October 2015 - Mere Sands Wood, Lancashire - I am on the back foot of late and today could be the start of a 9 day non-stop fungal bonanza - my pants are hitched up and my rear end squeezed tight, it will be a busy week. So today consisted of a group of 10 and we headed off into one of my favourite locations. I expected little after the dry spell so when, after some 3 hours mooching, an extra hour in the meadow and some night-time microscopy the list ended up at 107 species I was quite pleased with the overall effort. The list was:- Armillaria ostoyae; Ischnoderma benzoinum; Xylaria hypoxylon; Dacrymyces stillatus; Annulohypoxylon multiforme; Trametes versicolor; Bjerkandera adusta; Leccinum scabrum; Microsphaera alphitoides; Scleroderma citrinum; Leccinum versipelle; Rhodocollybia butyracea; Lactarius vietus; Lactarius tabidus; Hypholoma fasciculare; Armillaria tabescens; Tricholoma fulvum; Piptoporus betulinus; Erysiphe heraclei; Russula farinipes; Nectria cinnabarina; Paxillus involutus; Hypomyces chrysospermus; Russula betularum; Tubaria furfuracea; Helvella crispa; Coprinellus micaceus; Stereum hirsutum; Exidia glandulosa; Boletus badius; Mycena galericulata; Lactarius quietus; Lepista sordida; Chondrostereum purpureum; Russula ochroleuca; Gymnopus confluens; Scleroderma verrucosum; Flammulina velutipes; Microbotryum violaceum; Rhopographus filicinus; Tremella foliocea; Phallus impudicus; Lactarius turpis; Pleurotus ostreatus; Rhytisma acerinum; Lactarius glyciosmus; Trametes gibbosa; Armillaria gallica; Laccaria laccata; Mycena arcangeliana; Amanita muscaria; Stereum rugosum; Xylaria longipes; Chaetosphaerella phaestroma; Taphrina betulina; Pholiota squarrosa; Lyophyllum decastes; Clitopilus prunulus; Clitocybe nebularis; Auriscalpium vulgare; Gymnopilus penetrans; Mycena galopus; Trichaptum abietinum; Heterobasidion annosum; Phlebia radiata; Datronia mollis; Hygrophorus hypothejus; Skeletocutis amorpha; Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca; Melanophyllum haematospermum; Gymnopilus junonius; Ganoderma australe; Peniophora quercina; Kuehneromyces mutabilis; Cystolepiota bucknallii; Lepista flaccida; Hormotheca robertiani; Lycoperdon perlatum; Geastrum triplex; Trochila ilicina; Phacidium multivalve; Hypocrea pulvinata; Fomes fomentarius; Rhodocollybia butyracea var. asema; Claviceps purpurea; Uromyces viciae-fabae; Coleosporium tussilaginis; Polyporus leptocephalus; Coprinopsis atramentaria; Phlebia tremellosa; Daldinia concentrica; Auricularia auricula-judae; Cystoderma amianthinum; Hyphodontia sambuci; Pluteus cervinus; Phragmidium violaceum; Puccinia arenariae; Leptosphaeria acuta; Miyagia pseudosphaeria; Calyptella capula; Crepidotus cesatii; Crepidotus subverrucisporus; Marasmiellus ramealis; Baeospora myosura; Inocybe griseolilacina; Lepiota cristata and Humaria hemisphaerica.

18th October 2015 - Rufford, Lancashire - A lone specimen of Coprinus comatus was seen in a field of stubble as was an old favourite Volviarella gloiocephala.

18th October 2015 - Marshside RSPB, Lancashire - We were going to do some birding but were so fagged out with colds that we had a quick walk around the sand quarry area. Puccinia cnici-oleracei was abundant on Sea Aster leaves and Miyagia pseudosphaeria was later confirmed after finding it on the leaves of a Sonchus species.

18th October 2015 - Formby NT, Lancashire - Still dry, still full of a cold but a delightful bunch of folk stuck with things and contributed to what was a small list but one that kept us ticking over and had a few 'good value' species within. The 43 species noted were:- Clitocybe nebularis; Rhytisma acerinum; Annulohypoxylon multiforme; Piptoporus betulinus; Inocybe geophylla; Inocybe geophylla var. lilacina; Mycena pura; Trametes versicolor; Agaricus arvensis; Daedaleopsis confragosa; Armillaria mellea; Chlorociboria aeruginascens; Mensularia radiata; Crepidotus mollis; Phlebia tremellosa; Microsphaera alphitoides; Xylaria hypoxylon; Xylaria longipes; Tricholoma terreum; Gymnopus confluens; Tricholoma sulphureum; Trichaptum abietinum; Russula sardonia; Chroogomphus rutilus; Heterobasidion annosum; Hypholoma fasciculare; Amanita muscaria; Russula sanguinaria; Chaetosphaerella phaeostroma; Lactarius torminosus; Helvella lacunosa; Lactarius pubescens; Hygrocybe conicoides; Claviceps purpurea; Lycoperdon perlatum; Cuphophyllus virgineus; Otidea alutacea; Agaricus cupreobrunneus; Phragmidium violaceum; Lactarius aurantiacus; Inocybe sindonia; Melanoleuca polioleuca and Marasmius setosus.

17th October 2015 - Harthill Cookery School, Cheshire - The 2nd walk of the year at this delightful location and with a crappy cold and a few weeks of dry weather it was one to test my utter patience and see what I could come up with in a 3 hour session. Having led many a walk I have gained some experience at scraping the bottom of the barrel but today, despite my pessimism I think the 14 of us did pretty well After some microscopy in the evening the end count is 57 species, these being:- Phacidium multivalve; Trochila ilicina; Piptoporus betulinus; Stereum hirsutum; Trametes versicolor; Leccinum scabrum; Macrolepiota procera; Hypholoma fasciculare; Annulohypoxylon multiforme; Cuphophyllous pratensis; Hygrocybe ceracea; Hygrocybe reidii; Hygrocybe quieta; Gliophorous psittacina; Humidicutis calyptriformis; Dermoloma cuneifolium; Cystoderma amianthinum; Coprinellus micaceus; Rhytisma acerinum; Xylaria hypoxylon; Puccinia lagenophorae; Gymnopus confluens; Agrocybe erebia; Psathyrella candolleana; Nectria cinnabarina; Hypomyces chrysospermus; Rhodocollybia butyracea; Ganoderma australe; Oudemansiella mucida; Armillaria mellea; Lepista nuda; Clitocybe nebularis; Microsphaera alphitoides; Aleuria aurantia; Rhopographus filicinus; Auricularia auricula-judae; Trametes gibbosa; Grifola frondosa; Lactarius quietus; Scleroderma citrinum; Melampsoridium betulinum; Laccaria laccata; Phallus impudicus; Hypoxylon fragiforme; Lacrymaria lacrymabunda; Coprinopsis atramentaria; Lactarius turpis; Amanita muscaria; Paxillus involutus; Phragmidium violaceum; Leptosphaeria acuta; Clavulinopsis helvola; Clavulinopsis luteo-alba; Mycena leptocephala; Geoglossum glutinosum; Mensularia radiata and Coprinellus domesticus.

11th October 2015 - Tatton Park, Cheshire - A sold out walk today (again) with many eyes and dry conditions forcing me to work darn hard and keeping the fungal wagon rolling. 94 species were seen, these were:- Trichoderma viride; Mycena polygramma; Cystoderma amianthinum; Macrolepiota procera; Stropharia semiglobata; Gliophorous psittacina; Xerula radicata; Hypomyces chrysospermum; Scleroderma citrinum; Russula ochroleuca; Lycoperdon perlatum; Russula nobilis; Boletus edulis; Armillaria gallica; Trametes gibbosa; Lepista nuda; Bjerkandera adusta; Amanita rubescens; Hypoxylon fragiforme; Schizophyllum comune; Gloiophyllum sepiarium; Meripilus giganteus; Neoboletus luridiformis; Russula farinipes; Lactarius blennius; Laccaria laccata; Russula nigricans; Lepista flaccida; Lactarius quietus; Piptoporus betulinus; Hypocrea pulvinata; Xylaria longipes; Stropharia melanosperma; Hypholoma capnoides; Rhytisma acerinum; Nectria cinnabarina; Psilocybe cyanescens; Schizopora paradoxa; Laccaria amethystina; Chaetosphaerella phaeostroma; Pycnostysanus azaleae; Hypholoma fasciculare; Russula atropurpurea; Mycena galericulata; Stereum hirsutum; Ganoderma australe; Bulgaria inquinans; Clitocybe nebularis; Mycena haematopus; Xylaria hypoxylon; Coprinellus micaceus; Psathyrella piluliformis; Cordyceps militaris; Phaeolus schweinitzii; Armillaria ostoyae; Rhodocollybia butyracea; Trametes versicolor; Scleroderma verrucosum; Inocybe geophylla var. lilacina; Trochila ilicina; Phacidium multivalve; Hyphodontia sambuci; Microsphaera alphitoides; Lactarius pubescens; Lycoperdon pyriforme; Rickenella swartzii; Diatrypella quercina; Lanzia echinophila; Suillus grevellei; Cuphophyllus pratensis; Cuphophyllus virgineus; Claviceps purpureum; Puccinia aegopodii; Auricularia auricula-judae; Polyporus squamosus; Gymnopilus penetrans; Mycena galopus var. candida; Gymnopus peronatus; Puccinia aegopodii; Leccinum scabrum; Psilocybe semilanceata; Pluteus cervinus; Xerocomellus chrysenteron; Phragmidium bulbosum; Leptosphaeria doliolum; Clavulinopsis helvola; Laccaria proxima; Pluteus chrysophaeus; Hygrocybe quieta; Hygrocybe chlorophana; Stropharia aeruginosa; Mycena inclinata; Entoloma conferendum and Coprinellus domesticus.

10th October 2015 - Moore NR, Cheshire - A walk booked in later on in the year and so one that many may have missed out on. 13 of us set off in search of many fungal forms and after much mooching, some microscopy later in the day the list crawled up to 89 species, these being:- Coleosporium tussilaginis; Taphrina alni; Ganoderma australe; Piptoporus betulinus; Armillaria gallica; Rhytisma acerinum; Tubaria dispersa; Paxillus involutus; Cortinarius hemitrichus; Lactarius pubescens; Tricholoma cingulatum; Clitocybe fragrans; Cuphophyllus pratensis; Hygrocybe irrigata; Gliophorus psittacina; Stereum hirsutum; Amanita muscaria; Claviceps purpurea; Clitocybe nebularis; Leccinum scabrum; Exidia glandulosa; Rhodocollybia butyracea; Russula ochroleuca; Scleroderma verrucosum; Auricularia auricula-judae; Lepista flaccida; Mycena galopus; Lycoperdon perlatum; Laccaria laccata; Mycena galericulata; Pluteus cervinus; Cystoderma amianthinum; Cuphophyllus virgineus; Lepista nuda; Tricholoma fulvum; Xylaria hypoxylon; Tubaria furfuracea; Nectria cinnabarina; Coprinellus micaceus; Hypholoma fasciculare; Daedaleopsis confragosa; Phallus impudicus; Lactarius tabidus; Scleroderma citrinum; Hypomyces chrysospermum; Bjerkandera adusta; Pleurotus ostreatus; Calocera cornea; Annulohypoxylon multiforme; Trochila ilicina; Pholiota squarrosa; Microsphaera alphitoides; Stereum gausapatum; Ossicaulis lignatilis; Erysiphe heraclei; Kuehneromyces mutabilis; Trametes versicolor; Peniophora quercina; Lactarius glyciosmus; Daldinia concentrica; Mycena arcangeliana; Hyphodontia sambuci; Armillaria mellea; Microbotryum violaceum; Lycoperdon excipuliforme; Chlorophyllum rhacodes; Rickenella swartzii; Aleuria aurantia; Mycena pura; Coprinus comatus; Hygrocybe conica; Rhopographus filicinus; Lactarius torminosus; Daldinia fissa; Puccinia glechomatis; Puccinia tenaceti; Puccinia punctiformis; Phragmidium violaceum; Uromyces viciae-fabae; Puccinia arenariae; Ascocoryne sarcoides; Xylaria longipes; Crepidotus variabilis; Leptosphaeria acuta; Clavulinopsis helvola; Geoglossum fallax; Hygrocybe reidii; Hygrocybe ceracea and Laccaria proxima.

8th October 2015 - Heaton Moor, Stockport, Cheshire - The lawn outside work is doing the business again, Cuphophyllus pratensis; Hygrocybe vitellina; Cuphophyllus virgineus; Hygrocybe reidii and Gliophorus psittacinus were seen along with a lone specimen of Armillaria ostoyae. Armillaria mellea was also noted just down the road growing from the base of a wall. Otidea alutacea was confirmed by the microscope later in the day.

7th October 2015 - Etherow CP, Cheshire - A walk with a small group of adult carers from work with emphasis on just getting out and about and sharing a bit of knowledge and enthusiasm regarding the mycological world. 60 species were noted on a gentle wander, these were:- Amanita muscaria; Leccinum scabrum; Amanita rubescens; Lactarius pubescens; Lactarius torminosus; Lactarius turpis; Lactarius camphoratus; Lactarius quietus; Lactarius pyrogalus; Lactarius blennius; Paxillus involutus; Rhytisma acerinum; Coleosporium tussilaginis; Xylaria hypoxylon; Bjerkandera adusta; Ganoderma australe; Piptoporus betulinus; Mycena galericulata; Clitocybe geotropa; Coprinellus micaceus; Laccaria amethystina; Russula farinipes; Rhopographus filicinus; Tricholoma fulvum; Laccaria laccata; Crepidotus mollis; Hygrocybe conica; Calocera pallido-spathulata; Boletus badius; Gymnopilus penetrans; Trochila ilicina; Russula ochroleuca; Hypholoma fasciculare; Stereum hirsutum; Trametes versicolor; Postia stiptica; Hypoxylon fragiforme; Dacrymyces stillatus; Kuehneromyces mutabilis; Cudoniella acicularis; Xerocomus pruinatus; Calocera viscosa; Amanita citrina var. alba; Heterobasidion annosum; Skeletocutis amorpha; Puccinia allii; Auricularia auricula-judae; Trametes pubescens; Daedaleopsis confragosa; Chondrostereum purpureum; Lyophyllum decastes; Nectria cinnabarina; Claviceps purpurea; Crepidotus cesatii; Crepidotus epibryus; Armillaria ostoyae; Ascocoryne cylichnium; Mycena inclinata and Uromyces viciae-fabae.

6th October 2015 - Norley, Cheshire - A request to visit the home of a couple who attended a recent foray was pounced upon as it seemed a rare fungus awaited. The result was 6 eggs and 4 fruiting bodies of Clathrus archeri, a real special fungus and one that had not yet been recorded in Cheshire. What joy and what kindness to let us view these stunning gems. Leccinum scabrum; Cuphophyllus pratensis and Boletus edulis were also noted too on grounds that looked ideal for a bountiful supply of species.

5th October 2015 - Alexander Park, Stockport, Cheshire - A tidy group of Agaricus sylvaticus was noted whilst wandering home on tired legs.

5th October 2015 - Davenport, Stockport, Cheshire - A walk to the hospital and Lactarius pubescens; Leccinum scabrum; Amanita muscaria and Puccinia vincae were noted in one small vicinity.

5th October 2015 - River Mersey, Stockport, Cheshire - A morning run and Lactarius torminosus; Tricholoma populinum and Tricholoma scalpturatum were all identified.

4th October 2015 - Delamere Forest, Cheshire - A delightful group today, made up solely of Cheshire Wildlife Trust members (good on em') and a walk that was 2 and a half hours in total and went by very quickly indeed. Due to almost a fortnight of dry weather the fungi weren't fruiting in huge numbers but we managed to just scrape enough together to keep our interest maintained. A 1 hour tootle after the main walk and a bit of microscopy helped swell the list to 52 species, these being:- Trametes versicolor; Daedaleopsis confragosa; Stereum hirsutum; Puccinia aegopodii; Rhopographus filicinus; Xylaria hypoxylon; Amanita rubescens; Hypholoma fasciculare; Cudoniella acicularis; Piptoporus betulinus; Laccaria amethystina; Annulohypoxylon multiforme; Russula ochroleuca; Scleroderma verrucosum; Scleroderma citrinum; Russula nobilis; Rhodocollybia butyracea; Trochila ilicina; Amanita muscaria; Fistulina hepatica; Lacrymaria lacrymabunda; Lycoperdon pyriforme; Helvella crispa; Clitocybe nebularis; Trichaptum abietinum; Rhodocollybia maculata; Gymnopilus penetrans; Hypomyces chrysospermum; Lepiota cristata; Mycena galopus; Inocybe geophylla; Diatrypella quercina; Auriscalpium vulgare; Lactarius torminosus; Rhytisma acerinum; Chalciporus piperatus; Gymnopus confluens; Heterobasidion annosum; Lactarius tabidus; Amanita fulva; Lactarius turpis; Lactarius quietus; Russula betularum; Lactarius glyciosmus; Mycena amicta; Laccaria laccata; Lyophyllum connatum; Phragmidium violaceum; Stropharia caerulea; Exidia glandulosa; Cystolepiota adulterina and Melanoleuca arcuata.

28th September 2015 - River Mersey, Stockport, Cheshire - Several specimens of Coprinus comatus were had as well as clumps of Lyophyllum connatum; Lacrymaria lacrymabunda and Tricholoma ustale.

27th September 2015 - Arley Hall, Cheshire - The curse of the dry weather is at it again with another rainless week taking its toll on the fungal fruits. Today, whilst leading two walks, I found myself having to work darn hard to keep the flow going and the 60+ people entertained. I hope I did ok and that the 58 species found and gassed about stoked many flames of enthusiasm. The list was:- Xylaria longipes; Rhytisma acerinum; Nectria cinnabarina; Hypholoma fasciculare; Marasmius rotula; Hypomyces chrysospermum; Stereum hirsutum; Paxillus involutus; Xerula radicata; Daldinia concentrica; Nectria inventa; Rickenella fibula; Lycoperdon perlatum; Trochila ilicina; Microsphaera alphitoides; Chlorophyllum rhacodes; Claviceps purpurea; Laccaria laccata; Rhopographus filicinus; Lacrymaria lacrymabunda; Gliophorous psittacina; Amanita muscaria; Chalciporus piperatus; Lactarius tabidus; Lactarius turpis; Leccinum scabrum; Clitopilus prunulus; Phacidium multivalve; Pycnostysanus azaleae; Trametes versicolor; Laccaria amethystina; Annulohypoxylon multiforme; Scleroderma citrinum; Phallus impudicus; Gymnopilus junonius; Bjerkandera adusta; Pucciniastrum circaeae; Aleuria aurantia; Piptoporus betulinus; Ganoderma australe; Erysiphe heraclei; Rhodocollybia butyracea; Scleroderma verrucosum; Agaricus arvensis; Pluteus cervinus; Coprinus comatus; Cuphophyllus pratensis; Hygrocybe laeta; Mycena arcangeliana; Xylaria hypoxylon; Lactarius glyciosmus; Lactarius quietus; Phragmidium violaceum; Russula amoenolens; Puccinia arenariae; Clavulinopsis helvola; Coprinus leiocephalus and Melanoleuca polioleuca.

26th September 2015 - Marbury CP, Cheshire - As usual today I led a brace of two hour walks both of which contained some fine folk eager to see some shroomage up close and personal. Despite rain a few datys ago the ground was parched and things were a struggle but, and an important but at that, with perseverance, patience and a few eyes on the ground, over the two events 81 species were clocked up. Thank you to all who attended and Brenda Yates for organising the events and here, my keen enthusiasts, is what we found:- Amanita muscaria; Trametes versicolor; Leccinum scabrum; Stereum hirsutum; Coprinellus micaceus; Hypholoma fasciculare; Coprinopsis lagopus; Ganoderma australe; Bjerkandera adusta; Calocera cornea; Piptoporus betulinus; Paxillus involutus; Lycoperdon perlatum; Microsphaera alphitoides; Trametes gibbosa; Bulgaria inquinans; Clavulina cinerea; Tricholoma fulvum; Hypomyces chrysospermum; Nectria cinnabarina; Lactarius glyciosmus; Lactarius pubescens; Gymnopilus penetrans; Scleroderma citrinum; Lactarius tabidus; Russula ochroleuca; Schizopora paradoxa; Laccaria laccata; Daedaleopsis confragosa; Pluteus cervinus; Xylaria hypoxylon; Chlorophyllum rhacodes; Hyphodontia sambuci; Phallus impudicus; Auricularia auricular-judae; Coprinopsis atramentaria; Phlebia radiata; Rhopographus filicinus; Mycena arcangeliana; Xylaria carpophila; Scleroderma verrucosum; Chondrostereum purpureum; Lepista flaccida; Phacidium multivalve; Trochila ilicina; Taphrina alni; Puccinia veronicae; Psilocybe cyanescens; Flammulina velutipes; Mycena pura; Postia stiptica; Tricholomopsis rutilans; Postia caesia; Exidia nucleata; Coprinus comatus; Lycoperdon pyriforme; Exidia plana; Mycena galericulata; Gymnopus peronatus; Tricholoma sulphureum; Claviceps purpurea; Agaricus campestris; Marasmius oreades; Bolbitius titubans; Gymnopus confluens; Microbotryum violaceum; Peniophora quercina; Psathyrella candolleana; Xylaria polymorpha; Xylaria longipes; Ascocoryne sarcoides; Diatrypella quercina; Stereum rugosum; Crepidotus cesatii; Russula sororia; Leptosphaeria doliolum; Clitocybe fragrans; Agaricus sylvaticus; Lacrymaria lacrymabunda; Parasola plicatilis and Inocybe geophylla var. lilacina.

24th September 2015 - Stanney Woods, Cheshire - A final walk of the day, after a sandwich and a coffee of course. 20 species were noted, these being:- Boletus impolitus; Agaricus arvensis; Russula ochroleuca; Scleroderma verrucosum; Piptoporus betulinus; Rhytisma acerinum; Paxillus involutus; Lactarius turpis; Xylaria hypoxylon; Hebeloma crustuliniforme; Annulohypoxylon multiforme; Chlorophyllum rhacodes; Bjerkandera adusta; Mycena pura; Rhodocollybia butyracea; Stereum gausapatum; Trametes versicolor; Ganoderma australe; Daedaleopsis confragosa; Coprinopsis acuminata and Bulgaria inquinans.

24th September 2015 - Northop Hall CP, Flintshire - A wrong turning, a misleading name and whilst stopping to get our bearings we noticed some fungi on some roadside grass. A closer look revealed:- Agaricus arvensis; Calvatia gigantea; Marasmius oreades; Hygrocybe conica; Coprinopsis atramentaria; Chlorophyllum rhacodes; Hygrocybe acutoconica var. acutoconica; Cuphophyllus virgineus; Gliophorus psittacinus; Lyophyllum decastes; Agaricus bitorquis and Dermoloma cuneifolium.

24th September 2015 - Lester's Farm Wood, Drury, Flintshire - A call from a lady requesting me to look at a local area near where she works was finally agreed to Me and my wife we met up with Kay and had a walk in a neglected wood and surrounding area that has obvious potential. Work needs to be done and local imps need to be kept out but despite these negatives the outcome of the morn was fairly positive and our host (Kay Ribbons) was a right good positive forward thinking tonic to be with. Me and my good lady concurred that if we had more people like this in the natural arena we would all be doing a whole lot better. So, to the fungi, the list comprised of 32 species, these were:- Phacidium multivalve; Paxillus involutus; Chlorophyllum rhacodes; Ganoderma australe; Nectria cinnabarina; Piptoporus betulinus; Clitocybe nebularis; Mycena galopus var. candida; Macrolepiota procera; Heterobasidion annosum; Rhytisma acerinum; Claviceps purpurea; Lepista flaccida; Daedaleopsis confragosa; Stropharia semiglobata; Lactarius turpis; Hypomyces chrysospermum; Lepista sordida; Xylaria hypoxylon; Hypholoma fasciculare; Coprinellus disseminatus; Dacrymyces stillatus; Clavulina cristata; Laccaria laccata; Pholiota alnicola; Stereum hirsutum; Auricularia auricular-judae; Coprinopsis atramentaria; Coprinellus micaceus; Marasmius oreades; Panaeolus papilionaceus and Psathyrella corrugis.

Thank you Ms Ribbons for the tea and cake afterwards, always a good way to finish

23rd September 2015 - Etherow CP, Stockport, Cheshire - A walk on my lonesome to just enjoy the fungi in my own leisurely time. There were no great swathes of species, no outrageous glut but, with a careful approach and a steady pace (and after a session on the microscope) I managed to clock up 129 species. The list was as follows:- Lactarius deterrimus; Hygrocybe conica; Inocybe geophyla; Rhytisma acerinum; Claviceps purpurea; Xylaria hypoxylon; Coprinellus micaceus; Taphrina tosquinetii; Ganoderma australe; Golovinomyces sordidus; Trochila ilicina; Tricholoma sciodes; Oxyporus populinus; Clavulina cristata; Amanita rubescens; Polyporus squamosus; Russula nobilis; Rhopographus filicinus; Leotia lubrica; Laccaria amethystina; Tricholoma ustale; Laccaria laccata; Paxillus involutus; Erysiphe heraclei; Mycena galericulata; Hypholoma fasciculare; Piptoporus betulinus; Stereum hirsutum; Dacrymyces stillatus; Auricularia auricula-judae; Hyphodontia sambuci; Macrotyphula fistulosa var. contorta; Vuilleminia coryli; Nectria cinnabarina; Russula farinipes; Microsphaera alphitoides; Pluteus cervinus; Stereum gausapatum; Daedaleopsis confragosa; Lycoperdon pyriforme; Amanita crocea; Taphrina betulina; Phragmidium violaceum; Puccinia allii; Lyophyllum decastes; Puccinia violae; Puccinia arenariae; Puccinia hieracii; Puccinia circaea; Pucciniastrum circaea; Mycena amicta; Entoloma chalybeum var. chalybeum; Puccinia cnici-oleracei; Puccinia chaerophylli; Crepidotus cesatii; Scleroderma verrucosum; Clavulinopsis fusiformis; Naucoria escharioides; Cortinarius alboviolaceus; Tricholoma scalpturatum; Hypomyces chrysospermus; Xylaria polymorpha; Cudoniella acicularis; Xerocomellus pruinatus; Boletus badius; Kuehneromyces mutabilis; Clitopilus prunulus; Thelephora terrestris; Cortinarius delibutus; Lactarius pyrogalus; Skeletocutis amorpha; Trichaptum abietinum; Annulohypoxylon multiforme; Byssomerulius corium; Amanita fulva; Lactarius glyciosmus; Mycena sanguinolenta; Calocera cornea; Heterobasidion annosum; Puccinia aegopodii; Coleosporium tussilaginis; Trametes pubescens; Coprinellus disseminatus; Tricholoma fulvum; Lactarius pubescens; Lactarius turpis; Boletus edulis; Bulgaria inquinans; Coprinus comatus; Chondrostereum purpureum; Melanotus horizontalis; Puccinia lagenophorae; Crepidotus mollis; Polyporus leptocephalus; Hormotheca robertiani; Gymnopus dryophilus; Mycena pura; Scleroderma citrinum; Russula ochroleuca; Lactarius blennius; Merulius tremellosus; Leccinum scabrum; Suillus grevellei; Gomphidius maculatus; Rickenella fibula; Rickenella swartzii; Gloeophyllum sepiarium; Triphragmium ulmariae; Puccinia glechomatis; Plicatura crispa; Marasmius rotula; Pholiota squarrosa; Fomes fomentarius; Daldinia concentrica; Xylaria longipes; Tubaria furfuracea; Trametes versicolor; Puccinia veronicae; Vuilleminia comedens; Peniophora quercina; Pycnostysanus azaleae; Calocera pallido-spathulata; Gymnopilus penetrans; Marasmius androsaceus; Mycena galopus; Lactarius quietus; Psathyrella piluliformis; Bjerkandera adusta and Trametes gibbosa.

22nd September 2015 - River Mersey, Stockport, Cheshire - Paxillus involutus; Hygrocybe conica; Scleroderma citrinum; Tricholoma scalpturatum and Leccinum versipelle were seen whilst walking home with my daughter from a shopping venture.

20th September 2014 - Ladderedge CP, Staffordshire - 24 of us set off today in grand conditions and, after much effort and some microscopy later on, contributed to a list of 59 species. It was hard work today but in the end we did OK. The species noted were:- Coleosporium tussilaginis; Paxillus involutus; Claviceps purpurea; Erysiphe heraclei; Rhytisma acerinum; Puccinia poarum; Puccinia lagenophorae; Synchitrium taraxaci; Amanita muscaria; Lactarius turpis; Annulohypoxylon multiforme; Xylaria hypoxylon; Hyphodontia sambuci; Chlorophyllum rhacodes; Tricholoma fulvum; Cuphophyllus pratensis; Trametes versicolor; Gliophorus psittacinus; Scleroderma citrinum; Hypoxylon howeanum; Marasmiellus ramealis; Russula ochroleuca; Mycena arcangeliana; Laccaria laccata; Lycoperdon perlatum; Piptoporus betulinus; Gymnopilus penetrans; Stereum gausapatum; Xylaria longipes; Laccaria amethystina; Gymnopus confluens; Auricularia auricula-judae; Bjerkandera adusta; Stereum hirsutum; Lactarius glyciosmus; Lactarius tabidus; Hygrocybe quieta; Psilocybe semilanceata; Hygrocybe conica; Bolbitius titubans; Taphrina alni; Lycoperdon excipuliforme; Stropharia semiglobata; Trochila ilicina; Exidia nucleata; Frommea obtusa; Phragmidium violaceum; Puccinia hieracii; Pucciniastrum epilobii; Bisporella sulfurina; Agaricus campestris; Leptosphaeria doliolum; Erysiphe circaea; Parasola leiocephala; Rutstroemia firma; Dermoloma cuneifolium; Psathyrella piluliformis; Cheilymenia granulata and Hebeloma crustuliniforme.

19th September 2015 - Little Budworth CP, Cheshire - The season is here and with a healthy and very enthusiastic crowd a walk was had with plenty of species to mull over. After several hours in the field and a fair bit of microscopy the total stands at 105 species, which for a first visit is a very rewarding haul. The list was:- Xylaria longipes; Auricularia auricular-judae; Mycena pura; Piptoporus betulinus; Rhytisma acerinum; Rhopographus filicinus; Coprinellus micaceus; Lactarius blennius; Russula ionochlora; Amanita rubescens; Boletus edulis; Russula nobilis; Neoboletus luridiformis; Clitopilus prunulus; Xylaria hypoxylon; Ganoderma australe; Hypomyces chrysospermus; Russula ochroleuca; Chondrostereum purpureum; Bjerkandera adusta; Hypoxylon fragiforme; Vuillemina comedens; Stereum hirsutum; Russula farinipes; Gymnopus peronatus; Paxillus involutus; Nectria cinnabarina; Schizopora paradoxa; Dacrymyces stillatus; Macrolepiota procera; Chlorophyllum rhacodes; Lycoperdon pyriforme; Lycoperdon perlatum; Calocera cornea; Marasmius rotula; Stereum gausapatum; Clavulina cristata; Russula vesca; Laccaria laccata; Scleroderma citrinum; Amanita muscaria; Agrocybe erebia; Laccaria amethystina; Amanita citrina; Xylaria carpophila; Lactarius tabidus; Clitocybe odora; Mycena rosea; Calocera viscosa; Xerocomus pruinatus; Boletus badius; Leratiomyces ceres; Daedaleopsis confragosa; Amanita fulva; Mycena galopus; Puccinia aegopodii; Mycena pelianthina; Leccinum cyaneobasileucum; Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca; Trametes versicolor; Suillus luteus; Microsphaera alphitoides; Hypholoma fasciculare; Peniophora quercina; Diatrypella quercina; Phaeolus schweinitzii; Russula betularum; Suillus bovinus; Polyporus leptocephalus; Mycena galericulata; Heterobasidion annosum; Trochila ilicina; Phacidium multivalve; Claviceps purpurea; Pleurotus ostreatus; Phallus impudicus; Tubaria furfuracea; Gymnopus confluens; Exidia nucleata; Exidia thuretiana; Mycena arcangeliana; Lactarius quietus; Agaricus arvensis; Lactarius turpis; Crepidotus cesatii; Phragmidium violaceum; Crepidotus variabilis; Russula amoenolens; Lasiosphaeria ovina; Pucciniastrum vaccinii; Sphaeropsis sapinea; Agaricus litoralis; Lanzia echinophila; Russula claroflava; Cyanoboletus pulverulentus; Xerocomus cisalpinus; Agaricus silvaticus; Parasola leiocephala; Annulohypoxylon multiforme; Gymnopus dryophilus; Hymenoscyphus rokebyensis; Inocybe sindonia; Hygrocybe acutoconica; Inocybe margaritispora and Psathyrella prona.

16th September 2015 - Heaton Moor, Stockport, Cheshire - Amanita rubescens below Silver Birch; sevreal unopened examples of Geastum triplex in litter; a clump of Rhodocybe gemina with Lime and the rust Puccinia lapsanae on Nipplewort were all that was noted from my lunchtime wander.

14th September 2015 - River Mersey, Stockport, Cheshire - A walk into town down river, Laetiporus sulphureus and Tricholoma ustale were the only fungi noted.

13th September 2015 - Risley Moss, Cheshire - After calling in at my parent's house and having a chinwag we decided to have a wander around this medium sized area and see what we could see. We only walked straight round so 19 species was all that we picked up from the pathside, these being:- Puccinia behenis; Puccinia pulverulenta; Trametes versicolor; Bjerkandera adusta; Microsphaera alphitoides; Paxillus involutus; Daedalea quercina; Scleroderma citrinum; Scleroderma verrucosum; Hypholoma fasciculare; Bolbitius titubans; Piptoporus betulinus; Nectria cinnabarina; Claviceps purpurea; Ganoderma australe; Microbotryum violaceum; Trametes gibbosa; Annulohypoxylon multiforme and Inocybe geophylla.

12th September 2015 - Bickerton Hill, Cheshire - After today's public walk we decided to call in to this area, have a spot to eat and do a 1 hour stroll. 19 common species of fungi were noted:- Trametes versicolor; Bjerkandera adusta; Microsphaera alphitoides; Paxillus involutus; Lactarius tabidus; Amanita muscaria; Hypholoma fasciculare; Piptoporus betulinus; Hypocrea pulvinata; Peniophora quercina; Vuilleminia comedens; Annulohypoxylon multiforme; Laccaria laccata; Fomes fomentarius; Pluteus cervinus; Xylaria hypoxylon; Rhopographus filicinus; Psathyrella candolleana and Claviceps purpurea.

12th September 2015 - Harthill Cookery School, Cheshire - The first public walk of the year and one that was causing me untold worry due to the previous week of dry weather. It was a struggle but with grand company and some dogged perseverance a list of 55 species was drawn up, these being:- Scleroderma citrinum; Claviceps purpurea; Macrolepiota procera; Stereum hirsutum; Trametes versicolor; Coprinellus micaceus; Leccinum scabrum; Agrocybe rivulosa; Psathyrella candolleana; Trochila ilicina; Phallus impudicus; Puccinia lagenophorae; Rhytisma acerinum; Polyporus squamosus; Coprinopsis atramentaria; Pholiota gummosa; Nectria cinnabarina; Ganoderma australe; Exidia glandulosa; Microsphaera alphitoides; Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca; Biscogniauxia nummularia; Calocera pallido-spathulata; Gymnopus dryophilus; Datronia mollis; Auricularia auricular-judae; Stereum gausapatum; Bjerkandera adusta; Xylaria hypoxylon; Trichoderma viride; Rhopographus filicinus; Paxillus involutus; Laccaria laccata; Amanita muscaria; Trametes gibbosa; Exidia nucleata; Boletus luridiformis; Calvatia gigantea; Erysiphe heraclei; Hypholoma fasciculare; Lactarius blennius; Laccaria amethystina; Amanita rubescens; Dacrymyces stillatus; Hypoxylon fragiforme; Hypomyces chrysospermus; Taphrina betulina; Exidia thuretiana; Marasmius rotula; Xerocomus pruinatus; Crepidotus cesatii; Phragmidium violaceum; Leptosphaeria doliolum; Melanoleuca arcuata and Coprinellus domesticus.

7th September 2015 - River Mersey, Stockport, Cheshire - Melampsorella symphyti was seen for the first time this year on its usual host of Comfrey.

7th September 2015 - River Mersey, Stockport, Cheshire - Golovinomyces sordidus and Erysiphe trifolii were both identified after a run down river.

6th September 2015 - Fernilee Reservoir, Derbyshire - Leading a group with only 6 of us is quite easy and although things were slow, they were certainly steady and made up for quite an interesting day in glorious weather. 66 species were seen, these being:- Amanita muscaria; Rhytisma acerinum; Kretzschmaria deusta; Ganoderma australe; Microsphaera alphitoides; Amanita rubescens; Leccinum scabrum; Russula ochroleuca; Gymnopus confluens; Lactarius blennius; Russula nobilis; Stereum hirsutum; Bjerkandera adusta; Cantharellus cibarius; Scleroderma citrinum; Suillus grevellei; Marasmiellus ramealis; Trametes versicolor; Piptoporus betulinus; Rhopographus filicinus; Hypholoma fasciculare; Calocera cornea; Laccaria laccata; Russula betularum; Calocera pallido-spathulata; Amanita crocea; Clitopilus prunulus; Lactarius tabidus; Paxillus involutus; Amanita fulva; Pholiota flammans; Tremella foliocea; Stereum sanguinolentum; Heterobasidion annosum; Mycena galopus; Tylopilus felleus; Kuehneromyces mutabilis; Rickenella fibula; Taphrina betulina; Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca; Megacollybia platyphylla; Phallus impudicus; Claviceps purpurea; Taphrina alni; Erysiphe heraclei; Laccaria amethystea; Hypoxylon fragiforme; Neobulgaria pura; Melanotus horizontalis; Nectria cinnabarina; Bulgaria inquinans; Exidia thuretiana; Hygrocybe quieta; Chalciporus piperatus; Pucciniastrum vaccinii; Phragmidium violaceum; Coleosporium tussilaginis; Puccinia punctiformis; Pucciniastrum epilobii; Melampsoridium betulinum; Trochila ilicina; Crepidotus cesatii; Xerocomus cisalpinus; Bisporella sulfurina and Podosphaera clandestina var. clandestina (see picture below).

5th September 2015 - Abney Hall, Stockport, Cheshire - After a run a walk through this local park with my good lady produced:- Hygrocybe helobia; Hypomyces chrysospermus; Psathyrella piluliformis; Trochila ilicina; Flammulina velutipes; Daedaleopsis confragosa; Inocybe geophylla; Tricholoma sciodes; Trametes gibbosa; Kretzschmaria deusta; Ganoderma australe; Microsphaera alphitoides; Agaricus xanthodermus; Lactarius glyciosmus; Rhytisma acerinum; Scleroderma verucosum and Laccaria laccata.

3rd September 2015 - Heaton Moor, Stockport, Cheshire - Another dinner time stroll, Laccaria laccata; Hypholoma fasciculare; Amanita rubescens and Cuphophyllus virginea all located in one of two lawns I frequently check. A good find nearby under some Hazel trees was a small group of Rhodocybe gemina, a tidy looking fungus with roughened spores. Hebeloma hiemale was identifed later the following day after much double checking.

1st September 2015 - Heaton Moor, Stockport, Cheshire - A dinner time stroll and a break from work. I walk through the streets up to check a small lawn at the front of a church and back again. A Blackening Waxcap (Hygrocybe conica) was noted earlier in the day, a troop of Inocybe geophylla were picked out but, surprise of the day was 16 specimens of the Pink Ballerina (Humidicutis calyptriformis). I always shout out to naturalists to not overlook their local areas, this proves my point. I think that may be 11 species of waxcap noted in this suburbian area - fantastic. Hygrocybe chlorophana was later identified, a beautiful citrus lemon species with a slimy cap - like a melting sherbert lemon on a stick.

31st August 2015 - Bottoms Reservoir, Derbyshire - A strict walk around the reservoir before dinner, Amanita rubescens; Russula ionochlora; Suillus grevellei; Laccaria laccata and Hypholoma fasciculare was the only shroomage on show.

31st August 2015 - Crowden, Derbyshire - A mooch about and not much on the fungal front as of yet. Puccinia cnici-oleracei; Agrocybe rivulosa; Coprinopsis lagopus; Russula ochroleuca; Nectria cinnabarina; Vuilleminia comedens; Stereum hirsutum; Dacrymyces stillatus; Gymnopus peronatus; Stropharia semiglobata and Rhopographus filicinus were the only species on show.

28th August 2015 - Arley Hall, Cheshire - 50 years old today and after a photo-shoot for the Northwich Guardian I decided to have a tootle with the good lady for a few 'shrooms followed by tea and cake in the cafe. Only a few species were found, these being:- Boletus radicans; Puccinia malvacearum; Xerocomus subtomentosus; Xylaria longipes; Phragmidium mucronatum; Rhytisma acerinum; Laccaria laccata; Chalciporus piperatus; Bjerkandera adusta; Annulohypoxylon multiforme; Ganoderma pfeifferi; Ganoderma australe; Clitopilus prunulus; Meripilus giganteus; and Microsphaera alphitoides.

26th August 2015 - River Mersey, Stockport, Cheshire - Puccinia poarum was seen for the first time this year, seems a trifle late methinks.

24th August 2015 - Heaton Moor NR, Stockport, Cheshire - Melampsora euphorbiae was seen in fruit for the first time this year.

23rd August 2015 - Hawardan, Flintshire - A group walk and with a group of 10 it was still hard work to come up with anything substantial. Determination though pays dividends and after microscopy by Tony Carter and yours truly something resembling decency was had. The list of 64 species is as follows:- Panaeolina foenisecii; Agaricus sylvaticus; Hypoxylon howeanum; Crepidotus cesatii; Mycena amicta; Puccinia arenariae; Puccinia veronicae; Puccinia lapsanae; Puccinia punctiformis; Puccinia distincta; Puccinia aegopodii; Phragmidium mucronatum; Russula amoenolens; Rhytisma acerinum; Stereum hirsutum; Marasmius rotula; Exidia nucleata; Hypoxylon fragiforme; Fistulina hepatica; Mycena galericulata; Xylaria carpophila; Xylaria hypoxylon; Boletus luridiformis; Auricularia auricula-judae; Lycoperdon pyriforme; Coprinopsis lagopus; Dacrymyces stillatus; Calocera pallido-spathulata; Annulohypoxylon multiforme; Lycogala epidendrum; Skeletocutis amorpha; Trichaptum abietinum; Piptoporus betulinus; Trametes versicolor; Russula ochroleuca; Tubaria furfuracea; Mycena galopus; Rhopographus filicinus; Ganoderma australe; Microsphaera alphitoides; Daedaleopsis confragosa; Mycena sanguinolenta; Stropharia semiglobata; Panaeolus papilionaceus var. papilionaceus; Phaeolus schweinitzii; Erysiphe heraclei; Laccaria laccata; Amanita fulva; Meripilus giganteus; Marasmius oreades; Lycoperdon lividum; Deconica coprophila; Macrolepiota procera; Golovinomyces sordida; Parasola plicatilis; Tapesia fusca; Rosellinia aquila; Lachnum virgineum; Schizopora paradoxa; Xylaria longipes; Hymenoscyphus vitellinus; Calyptella capula; Diatrype stigma and Vascellum pratense.

21st August 2015 - Tatton Park, Cheshire - A walk with group and FCT member Ratty today and in truth, a right old struggle. The weather played fair though and we had a good tootle but 32 species was a poor return. The list was:- Russula amoenolens; Russula ionochlora; Ganoderma australe; Stereum hirsutum; Meripilus giganteus; Oudemansiella mucida; Trichoderma viride; Hypoxylon fragiforme; Trametes gibbosa; Trametes versicolor; Daldinia concentrica; Scleroderma citrinum; Gloeophyllum sepiarium; Schizophyllum commune; Pleurotus ostreatus; Gymnopus dryophilus; Bolbitius titubans; Hypholoma fasciculare; Sphaeropsis sapinea; Nectria cinnabarina; Piptoporus betulinus; Macrolepiota procera; Hygrocybe intermedia; Pluteus cervinus; Kuehneromyces mutabilis; Microsphaera alphitoides; Exidia glandulosa; Laccaria amethystina; Daedaleopsis confragosa; Rhytisma acerinum; Auricularia auricula-judae and Pycnostysanus azaleae.

20th August 2015 - Heaton Moor NR, Stockport, Cheshire - When walking home today I found a small collection on Inocybes growing with deciduous trees, the main host more than likely Oak or Lime. I took 2 young specimens and 2 old specimens leaving several behind. Before microscopy I made note of the lilac tint to the stem, the rimose cap and the remains of a cortina on the young cap edges (crucial observations). Moving on to microscopy and the smooth spores and long thick walled cheilocystida (with apical crystals) were noted as well as a lack of caulocystidia in most of the stem. After several uses of the Cullington and Outen Key (a frequently used tome these days) the decision was had that Incoybe pusio was the fungal specimen in the spotlight. Info and pictures on-line were, as per, used as final judgements and all seemed to be in complete concurrence with my end decision. I am now in the foolish position of believing I am making progress with the Inocybe complex - as per, I am under no illusions though that the not so mighty may soon become the fallen. For now I'll bathe in the small spotlight of success!

19th August 2015 - Heaton Moor NR, Stockport, Cheshire - A dinnertime walk to the local church to see what fungi were appearing in the small mown areas. Dermoloma cuneifolium; Boletus pulverulentus; Laccaria laccata; Russula farinipes; Rickenella fibula and Pholiota squarrosa were the species on show and very welcome they were too.

17th August 2015 - Abney Hall, Stockport, Cheshire - A local walk to try and get up to speed with a few fungi before the season proper. 26 species listed today, which were:- Nectria cinnabarina; Ganoderma australe; Daldinia concentrica; Polyporus sqamosus; Daedaleopsis confragosa; Pluteus cervinus; Flammulina velutipes; Claviceps purpurea; Annulohypoxylon multiforme; Rhytisma acerinum; Meripilus giganteus; Pleurotus ostreatus; Scutellinia scutellata; Mycena acicula; Mycena galopus; Agrocybe rivulosa; Vuilleminia comedens; Peniophora quercina; Kretzschmaria deusta; Erysiphe heraclei; Scleroderrma verrucosum; Microsphaera alphitoides; Lactarius tabidus; Laccaria laccata; Trametes gibbosa and Bjerkandera adusta.

16th August 2015 - Broadhurst Edge Wood, Derbyshire - The first concerted look for shroomage and 24 species noted:- Inocybe margaritispora; Inocybe stellatospora; Crepidotus variabilis; Coleosporium tussilaginis; Boletus badius; Mycena galopus; Lactarius tabidus; Amanita fulva; Pluteus cervinus; Laccaria laccata; Lactarius quietus; Hypholoma fasciculare; Coprinellus micaceus; Microsphaera alphitoides; Gymnopus peronatus; Russula nobilis; Russula ochroleuca; Amanita rubescens; Piptoporus betulinus; Hypocrea pulvinata; Fomes fomentarius; Trametes versicolor; Paxillus involutus and Hypomyces chrysospermus.

16th August 2015 - Mousley Bottom, New Mills, Derbyshire - The years first Laccaria laccata, this time beneath Oak.

15th August 2015 - Fletcher Moss, G. Manchester - An afternoon watching the local footy side followed by a 1 hour stroll around this nearby park. 9 species noted:- Lepiota cristata; Agaricus xanthodermus; Scleroderma verrucosum; Hypholoma fasciculare; Pluteus salicinus; Pluteus cervinus; Coprinellus micaceus; Daedaleopsis confragosa and Marasmius rotula.

10th August 2015 - Flint Castle, Flintshire - Albugo lepigoni was a fine find on the leaves of Lesser Sea Spurrey.

9th August 2015 – Morfa Dyffryn NNR, Gwynedd – 196 specimens of Macrolepiota procera were in fruit as well as several rings of Marasmius oreades; a patch of Agaricus xanthoderma and a trailing patch of Paxillus involutus. The bonus sighting was of several Dwarf Earthstars (Geastrum schmidelii) by my daughter Katie - excellent.

7th August 2015 – Porthmadog, Gwynedd – Gymnopus fusipes was growing at the side of the road in the most unexpected of places.

6th August 2015 – Dolwyddelan Castle, Gwynedd – Paneolus semiovatus and Deconica coprophilia were both enjoyed the heavily dunged ground.

6th August 2015 – Ugly House, Betws-y-Coed, Conwy – Paxillus involutus; Leccinum scabrum; Megacollybia platyphylla; Laccaria amethystea; Crepidotus mollis; Stereum hirsutum; Trametes versicolor; Amanita excelsa and Cantharellus cibarius.

6th August 2015 – Pentrefoelas, Betws-y-Coed, Conwy – Hygrocybe conica and Marasmius oreades were almost over at this small but well packed area.

3rd August 2015 - Roddlesworth Reservoir, Lancashire - 21 species of fungi today:- Microbotryum violaceum; Amanita rubescens; Polyporus leptocephalus; Hypoxylon fragiforme; Kretzschmaria deusta; Pleurotus ostreatus; Trametes versicolor; Biscogniauxia nummularia; Calocera cornea; Microsphaera alphitoides; Chalciporus piperatus; Stereum hirsutum; Piptoporus betulinus; Ganoderma australe; Bjerkandera adusta; Coprinellus micaceus; Lactarius quietus; Pluteus cervinus; Puccinia punctiformis and the slime mold Fuligo septica.

3rd August 2015 - Edgeley, Stockport, Cheshire - Peziza cerea was noted growing out of the wall of a recently closed down bank - now that's what I call real interest!

31st July 2015 - Heaton Moor, Stockport, Cheshire - 9 specimens of the Blackening Waxcap (Hygrocybe nigrescens) were noted on the small lawn outside work.

29th July 2015 - Formby Point, Lancashire - Another walk with the young un's from work with Lactarius pubescens; Russula pelargonia; Crepidotus mollis; Pleurotus ostreatus; Lycoperdon perlatum; Gymnopus confluens and Bovista plumbea the fungi on show.

28th July 2015 - Ainsdale Sand Hills, Lancashire - Several rings of Marasmius oreades and a small example of Thelephora terrestris, a lone Conocybe apala and a small troop of Lactarius obscuratus were the only fungi seen on a day out with the kids from work.

27th July 2015 - Abney Hall, Stockport, Cheshire - A fine specimen of Xerula radicata was on a buried Beech stump, clusters of Marasmius rotula were on Ash litter, Scleroderma citrinum was also beneath Ash and a lone Earthstar was yet to open.

25th July 2015 - Alyn Waters, Wrexham - A great day out but no fungi, all that was noted was:- Coprinopsis lagopus; Xylaria longipes and Bjerkandera adusta - hardly thrilling.

20th July 2015 - Lindow Common, Wilmslow, Cheshire - Pluteus cervinus; Amanita fulva and Amanita rubescens were the only 3 fungi noted whilst on the prowl for bugs.

19th July 2015 - Abney Hall, Stockport, Cheshire - Gymnosporangium sabinae was identified via the microscope and the use of the Bioimages website, a very handy resource.

18th July 2015 - Downs Banks NT, Staffordshire - Fungi noted were:- Polyporus tuberaster; Amanita fulva; Amanita rubescens; Scleroderma citrinum and Bjerkandera adusta.

18th July 2015 - Doxey Marsh SWT, Staffordshire - 2 micro fungi identified:- Puccinia phragmitis and Uromyces valerianae.

12th July 2015 - Fletcher Moss, G. Manchester - Marasmius rotula; Stereum hirsutum; Byssomerulius corium and Coleosporium tussilaginis were all freshly out and give hint at how close the season proper is!

6th July 2015 - Gorsey Bank, Stockport, Cheshire - A small troop of Conocybe apala was seen on a small sloping patch of grass.

24th June 2015 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, Cheshire - Uromyces polygoni-avicularis was noted today growing on the leaves of Common Knot-Grass.

20th June 2015 - River Mersey, Stockport, Cheshire -The years first example of Paxillus involutus; Parasola auricoma and Panaeolina foenisecii were seen. Microscopy as is the need was used to determine the last two species with cap setae and rugose spores confirming ID's respectively.

8th June 2015 - Anderton NR/Marbury CP, Cheshire - Just 3 rust fungi today:- Puccinia urticata; Puccinia punctiformis and Puccinia poarum.

6th June 2015 - Heaton Moor, Stockport, Cheshire - After a colleague had been corrected concerning a rust fungus I decided to seek out the species mentioned. Melampsora allii-populina was duly found and identified - the old ball game gets harder by the day!

5th June 2015 - Heaton Moor, Stockport, Cheshire - 2 stonking specimens of Coprinopsis romagnesiana were identified and added to the ever growing list.

2nd June 2015 - Tatton Park, Cheshire - Coprinellus domesticus was spotted growing around Beech debris.

30th May 2015 - Portland, Dorset - Albugo candida was seen on Scurvygrass on the Obs patio.

30th May 2015 - Powerstock Common, Dorset - A fresh specimen of Bovista plumbea was an unexpected find on a fine walk in the sun.

29th May 2015 - Holway Woods, Dorset - Microbotryum silenes-dioicae was frequent wherever Red Campion was found.

28th May 2015 - Portland, Dorset - Puccinia malvacearum and Puccinia lagenophorae were seen whilst waltzing around the island.

24th May 2015 - Portland Bill, Dorset - Puccinia punctiformis was seen on the leaves of Creeping Thistle.

24th May 2015 - Portland Bill, Dorset - Uromyces viciae-fabae var. viciae-fabae and Puccinia allii were both noted whilst looking for bugs.

23rd May 2015 - Portland Bill, Dorset - Puccinia smyrnii was seen both in aecial stage and telial stage.

17th May 2015 - Fletcher Moss, Didsbury, G. Manchester - A walk with my daughter and not much about, Daedalopsis confragosa; Puccinia urticata; Calocybe gambosa; Puccinia chaerophylli; Lyophyllum decastes and a surprisingly early Coprinus comatus were all that were seen on a pleasant stroll.

16th May 2015 - Pot Hole Quarry, Shropshire - A Fungal Friends walk with one eye on the fungi and the other eye on all sorts of things. Species seen were few but wortyh the effort:- Phragmidium fragariae; Puccinia albescens; Puccinia sessilis; Puccinia urticata; Uromyces muscari; Melampsora populnea; Urocystis violae; Phragmidium sanguisorbae; Uromyces dactylidis; Uromyces ficariae and Entyloma ficariae were the rusts on show with Calocybe gambosa; Lyophyllum decastes; Polyporus brumalis; Hypoxylon fuscum; Daldinia concentrica; Auricularia auricular-judae and Morchella semilibera making up the final list of 18 species.

10th May 2015 - Queen's Jubilee Trail, Southport, Lancashire - Only 4 fungi seen, Bovista plumbea; Marasmius oreades; Puccinia urticata and Puccinia malvacaerum. Better than nowt though!

2nd May 2015 - Carrington Moss, Cheshire - Puccinia aegopodii was noted whilst doing a spot of birding.

29th April 2015 - Etherow CP, Stockport, Cheshire - Synchytrium taraxaci; Bauhinus marginalis; Puccinia sessilis; Uromyces dactylidis; Uromyces ficariae and Entyloma ficariae were all noted on a Spring Stroll event for work.

27th April 2015 - River Mersey, Stockport, Cheshire - Puccinia pulverulenta now out on Willowherb leaves.

20th April 2015 - Fletcher Moss, G. Manchester - Calocybe gambosa was just poking through and in decent numbers it seems.

12th April 2015 - River Mersey, Stockport, Cheshire - Uromyces ficariae seen for the first time this year.

11th April 2015 - Aughton Woods, Lancashire - Polyporus brumalis; Schizophyllum commune; Daldinia concentrica; Puccinia sessilis; Uromyces dactylidis and Entyloma ficariae were all that was noted on what was a bird watching jaunt.

7th April 2015 - Pickerings Pasture CWT, Cheshire - Reticularia lycoperdon was seen on an old log.

30th March 2015 - River Mersey, Stockport, Cheshire - Puccinia sessilis started to appear but very little else.

23rd March 2015 - Chorlton WP, G. Manchester - An old specimen of Inonotus obliquus was seen on Silver Birch.

17th March 2015 - Cromford Canal, Derbyshire - A lone example of Agaricus silvaticus was located beneath a Yew tree.

21st February 2015 - Helsby Quarry, Cheshire - A non flowering plant walk with 27 species of fungi seen, these being:- Calloria neglecta; Annulohypoxylon multiforme; Coprinellus micaceus; Stereum gausapatum; Hypholoma fasciculare; Hypoderma hederae; Crepidotus cesatii; Orbilia coccinella; Lachnum virgineum; Flammulina velutipes; Bjerkandera adusta; Phlebia tremellosa; Ganoderma australe; Pleurotus ostreatus; Rhytisma acerinum; Rhopographus filicinus; Taphrina betulina; Melampsora hypericorum; Exidia nucleata; Piptoporus betulinus; Trametes versicolor; Tubaria furfuracea; Hyphodontia sambuci; Stereum hisutum; Dacrymyces stillatus; Nectria cinnabarina and Auricularia auricular-judae.

14th February 2015 - Jubilee NR, G. Manchester - An initial trip that will hopefully be followed up and get a good species list down for this tucked away area with much potential. Ed Kramer and friend met me and the missus and gave us an excellent insight into the history of the place and what plans are in store. Fungi wise it was poor, but the time of year doesn't help, with Rhytisma acerinum; Sarcoscypha austriaca; Flammulina velutipes; Auricularia auricular-judae; Daedaleopsis confragosa; Stereum hirsutum; Byssomerulius corium; Trametes versicolor; Chondrostereum purpureum; Xylaria hypoxylon and Nectria cinnabarina the only species noted.

9th February 2015 - River Mersey, Stockport, Cheshire - My day off so a walk to pick the missus up from work. A couple of dead Cornus branches were picked up on the way and 5 days later I had sussed a microfungi species that was abundant on the said substrate. Diplodia mamillana was the species seen with dark 3 septate spores agreeing with the measurements in the book and numeropus other resources tapped.

1st February 2015 - Stalybridge CP, G. Manchester - A birding wander but a few fungi noted these being:- Daedaleopsis confragosa; Sarcoscypha austriaca and Illosporiopsis christiansenii.

30th January 2015 - Gorsey Bank, Stockport, Cheshire - Puccinia lapsanae seen on Nipplewort leaves on a cold and snowy day.

25th January 2015 - Moore NR, Cheshire - A group walk today, 8 of us on the go with my fuzzy head taking time to get going and record the days finds (too many late nights tha' knows). Anyway, 59 species were had, these being:- Tubaria furfuracea; Byssomerulius corium; Nectria cinnabarina; Peniophora quercina; Vuilleminia comedens; Daedaleopsis confragosa; Mycena adscendens; Rhytisma acerinum; Xylaria hypoxylon; Sarcoscypha austriaca; Annulohypoxylon multiforme; Illosporiopsis christiansenii; Hypholoma fasciculare; Rhodocollybia butyracea; Polyporus leptocephalus; Stereum hirsutum; Exidia recisa; Exidia thuretiana; Exidia glandulosa; Trametes versicolor; Flammulina velutipes; Auricularia auricula-judae; Postia subcaesia; Chaetosphaerella phaeostroma; Peniophora incarnata; Coprinellus micaceus; Piptoporus betulinus; Trametes gibbosa; Daldinia concentrica; Dacrymyces stillatus; Datronia mollis; Phlebia radiata; Phlebia tremellosa; Sarcomyxa serotina; Exidia nucleata; Xylaria polymorpha; Mycena galericulata; Schizophyllum commune; Rhopographus filicinus; Radulomyces confluens; Clitocybe fragrans; Xylaria longipes; Lycoperdon pyriforme; Puccinia glechomatis; Inonotus obliquus; Leptosphaeria acuta; Ganoderma australe; Ascocoryne sarcoides; Crepidotus cesatii; Tremella mesenterica; Lasiosphaeria spermoides; Mollisia cinerea; Mollisia fusca; Mollisia melaleuca; Orbilia delicatula; Gloniopsis praelonga; Lachnum virgineum and the myxo's Trichia scabra and Mucilago crustacea.

Thanks to Tony Carter of the NWFG for his assistance on the day - he ain't a bad old sprout!

22nd January 2015 - Heaton Moor, Stockport, Chesire - Illosporiopsis christiansenii was seen on the lichen Physcia aipolia.

17th January 2015 - Chorlton WP, G. Manchester - Auricularia mesenterica was added to the year list with nowt else on show!

12th January 2015 - Alexander Park, Stockport, Cheshire - I found some black specks on a Pine Cone at Tatton Park with the group agreeing that they were just blemishes rather than fungus based. My missus was unconvinced, as was I, and I decided that the next time I found some cones I would look for something similar. Lo and behold one Pine Tree frequented the park where I was roaming today and the cones below had little black dots on them. I collected a few, scraped a sample and the microscopy proved them to be Sphaeropsis sapinea, a fungus I reckon is common but one I have overlooked. Bonus!

11th January 2015 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, Cheshire - Hormotheca robertiani was frequent on the leaves of Herb Robert.

10th January 2015 - Tatton Park, Cheshire - A group walk with 7 of us having a mooch at some fungi. Not a great list was had but what was seen helps keep the myco-cobwebs at bay, well that's the idea. The list of 36 species was:- Peniophora quercina; Exidia glandulosa; Stereum hirsutum; Ganoderma australe; Tremella aurantia; Polyporus brumalis; Fomes fomentarius; Xylaria hypoxylon; Xylaria carpophila; Pleurotus ostreatus; Clitocybe fragrans; Trichaptum abietinum; Hypholoma fasciculare; Hypholoma capnoides; Heterobasidion annosum; Auricular auricularia-judae; Bjerkandera adusta; Phlebia radiata; Schizophyllum commune; Hypoxylon fragiforme; Datronia mollis; Nectria cinnabarina; Piptoporus betulinus; Tremella foliacea; Ischnoderma benzoinum; Tubaria furfuracea; Rhytisma acerinum; Phaeolus schweinitzii; Rhodocollybia butyracea; Orbilia xanthostigma; Coniophora puteana; Baeospora myosura; Ascocoryne sarcoides; Mycena filopes; Diatrypella quercina and Panellus mitis.

9th January 2015 - Heaton Moor NR, Stockport, Cheshire - A few new fungi noted for the year whilst having a swift wander in my dinner break. These were:- Sarcoscypha austriaca; Datronia mollis; Phlebia radiata; Hygrocybe reidii; Hygrocybe virginea; Geoglossum fallax and Geastrum triplex.

8th January 2015 - Etherow CP, Stockport, Cheshire - Last day off before it's back to work tomorrow so a relaxing wander locally was taken with birds the main focus. However, 5 new fungi for the year were added to the list these being:- Oxyporus populinus; Trametes pubescens; Mycena galericulata; Plicatura crispa and Fomes fomentarius.

7th January 2015 - River Mersey, Stockport, Cheshire - Microsphaera euonymi-japonici; Trochila laurocerasi; Puccinia lagenophorae; Hypoderma hederae and Mycena adscendens were noted for the first time this year. That darn microscope is taking some hammering these days.

6th January 2015 - Abney Hall, Stockport, Cheshire - A stroll through this local park with a good list of common species had, these being:- Xylaria hypoxylon; Xylaria carpophila; Exidia nucleata; Peniophora quercina; Vuillemina comedens; Stereum gausapatum; Exidia glandulosa; Pleurotus ostreatus; Bjerkandera adusta; Ganoderma australe; Heterobasidion annosum; Annulohypoxylon multiforme; Daldinia concentrica; Xylaria polymorpha; Arrhenia retiruga; Stereum hirsutum; Flammulina velutipes; Polyporus squamosus; Trametes gibbosa; Hypoxylon fragiforme; Dacrymyces stillatus; Trametes versicolor; Coprinellus micaceus; Tubaria furfuracea; Clavulina rugosa; Hyphodontia sambuci; Auricularia auricular-judae; Phragmidium violaceum; Leptosphaeria acuta; Phoma samararum; Diaporthe samaricola; Crepidotus cesatii; Ascocoryne cylichnium and Chondrostereum purpureum.

5th January 2015 - River Mersey, Stockport, Cheshire - A walk in the sun with the only new fungi for the year seen being Peniophora incarnata and Rhopographus filicinus - it keeps me ticking along.

To add - a recent article in the ABFG publication suggested that those purple dusty blemishes underneath the leaves of Rubus species need to be checked more closely as there are 2 common look-alikes, these being Puccinia bulbosum and Puccinia violaceum. Today I collected a few leaves from different plants and lo and behold both species were observed - hey ho, looks like my lists need some adjusting. It is all about the learning curve and we are all at different stages - take note, no matter how deep you go there are always pitfalls and things to learn. It seems here that P. bulbosum has spores measuring 60-75 * 25-30 microns with the spores being mostly 5 or 6 septate (see top image below) whereas the P. violaceum has larger spores measuring 60-100 * 30-35 and having 1 to 4 septa (see lower image). The fungal world never fails to confound and amaze.

5th January 2015 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, Cheshire - Bluebell shoots are appearing and Uromyces muscari is already infecting the new growth.

4th January 2015 - Forge Valley NR, North Yorkshire - An ealy morning wander, nowt special to report just many usual suspects such as:- Pleurotus ostreatrus; Flammulina velutipes; Daldinia concentrica; Trametes versicolor; Hypoxylon petriniae; Nectria cinnabarina; Chondrostereum purpureum; Tremella mesenterica and Peniophora quercina.

1st January 2015 - Pennington Flash, Lancashire - A birding mooch at a place not really noted for fungi however along the way we did see 32 species without much effort. The specimens seen were:- Exidia recisa; Exidia glandulosa; Exidia nucleata; Pleurotus ostreatus; Hyphodontia sambuci; Byssomerulius corium; Chaetosphaerella phaeostroma; Trametes versicolor; Rhytisma acerinum; Stereum hirsutum; Chondrostereum purpureum; Flammulina velutipes; Daedaleopsis confragosa; Sarcomyxa serotina; Auricularia auricula-judae; Laccaria laccata; Coleosporium tussilaginis; Coprinellus micaceus; Peniophora quercina; Vuillemina comedens; Diatrypella quercina; Vuillemina coryli; Annulohypoxylon multiforme; Nectria cinnabarina; Dacrymyces stillatus; Polyporus leptocephalus; Lyophyllum decastes; Crepidotus cesatii; Sarcoscypha austriaca; Tremella aurantia; Tubaria furfuracea and Postia subcaesia.