Fungi in Northamptonshire 2004 (Some notable records)

The dry conditions that prevailed throughout most of 2003 created a lack of fungi that had lasted since autumn 2002. Unusually mild conditions in January and an extraordinarily wet August created what has generally been recognised as a better than normal year for Fungi.

The year began with a spell of mild weather that made it possible to find good numbers of species that would normally have stopped fruiting in the previous November. After a cold snap in February the numbers and types of fungi visible returned to normal. The spring weather was sufficiently damp to produce good numbers of fungi. Conditions were ideal for Semifree Morel Mitrophora semilibera which was found in good numbers in throughout Northamptonshire. A record of Charcoal Cup Peziza echinospora in Yardley Chase was of note as the only other county record of this species was recorded in the same place in November 1990. Good numbers of St George’s Mushroom Calocybe gambosa were evident in early May and on 15/05/04 Sarcosphaera coronaria was recorded at Twywell Hills and Dales.

There was a flush of fungi in Early Autumn as a result of the damp summer and on 06/08/04 Lactarius citriolens was found at Twywell Hills and Dales. A foray in early September to Yardley Chase produced good numbers of fungi including Flaming Scalycap Pholiota flammans (New for County) and Paxillus atrotormentosus both in a pine plantation. Another foray at this site produced Sessile Earthstar Geastrum fimbriatum (New for Yardley).

Snakeskin Grisette Amanita ceciliae was another species that found the 2004 conditions to its liking having being recorded at Salcey Forest and Bedford Purlieus. Other good records at Bedford Purlieus were Entoloma euchroum, Cortinarius armillatus and Oudemensiella longipes on 28/09/04 and Cortinarius pholideus on 07/10/04. During a foray on 10/10/04 Cortinarius triumphans and Mycena crocata were found at Ashton Wold.

Late September and early October were quiet as a result of the dry weather and just as fungi enthusiasts were settling for a quiet end of the autumn there was a late flush as a result of the damp conditions at the end of October with Drosella fracida being discovered at Wakerley Great Wood on 21/10/04.

Other notable records from Yardley Chase in the autumn were: Agaricus Macrosporus, Persistent Waxcap Hygrocybe persistens var. konradii, Iodine Bolete Boletus impolitus, Boletus versicolor and Lactarius zonarius.

Thanks to Alan Robbins and Tony Richardson for records.

Contact & Website Editor - Jeff Blincow