Fungi in Northamptonshire 2005 (Some notable records)

Dry conditions prevailed for most of the spring, but we were treated to some fine records. A walk through a shelter belt near Whiston on 05 March 2005 produced a good specimen of the bright vermillion Scarlet Elfcup Sarcoscypha austriaca; the first quality find of the year. On 13 March 2005 the first Cedar Cup Geopora sumneriana for Northamptonshire was recorded within 30cm of the base of an Atlas Cedar Cedrus atlantica at Abington Park, Northampton (SP756606). More Scarlet Elfcups Sarcoscypha austriaca were recorded on tree debris by Phil Horsnail in a mixed plantation at Pitsford Reservoir (SP775695) on 24 March 2005. On 26/03/2005 Cedar Cup Geopora sumneriana was found under Cedar of Lebanon in the Castle Ashby Arboretum and Bob Bullock also found this species 50cm from the base of an Atlas Cedar Cedrus atlantica in a Northampton garden. These two finds were the second and third county records for this species. On 27/03/2005 the same shelter belt near Whiston that produced Scarlet Elfcup Sarcoscypha austriaca also produced a first county record of False Morel Gyromitra esculenta. It is not surprising, considering its English name that this specimen was first identified as a morel.

An all-day foray at Yardley Chase on 04 August 2005 produced less that ten species of fungi due to the dry conditions. The final fungi found by David Manning and Tony Richardson.was a bolete. It was clearly a Leccinum species and interest in the specimen grew as it became apparent that it was associated with Aspen Populus tremula. Reference to literature identified it as Leccinum durisculum.

The dry conditions that prevailed throughout most of 2002, 2003 and 2004 were finally broken in September and we were treated to a very good flush of fungi this autumn. Fly Agaric is normally only found in good numbers in the woodlands of the north-east of the county. This year, Robin Gossage found several good specimens in Harlestone Firs near Northampton. The fine tract of Sweet Chestnut Castanea sativa at Lings Wood (SP802638) produced records of Rutstroemia echinophila and Parasitic Bolete Xerocomus parasiticus on 25 September 2005. The bolete was also recorded at this site in 2001.

During a foray at Wakerley Wood (SP962981) on 02 October 2005 Four-rayed Earthstar Geastrum qaudrifidum and Sessile Earthstar Geastrum fimbriatum were recorded on soil under Norway Spruce Picea abies at Wakerley Wood (SP962981) by Robin Gossage and Paul Fuller. On the same foray Alan Robbins found Pterula multifida, Ramaria ochraceovirens and Paxillus atromentosus under Norway Spruce Picea abies.

On 14 October 2005 a group of Cortinarius elegantissimus were found under Common Beech Fagus sylvatica at Bedford Purlieus (TL033995) by Jeff Blincow. On the next day, the Huntingdon Fungus Group annual foray to Old Sulehay (TL054983) produced an interesting set of records from the old quarry area. Notable finds were Mousepee Pinkgill Entoloma incanum, Plain Earthtongue Geoglossum cookeanum and the cup fungus Geopora arenosa. A feature of the foray was a good display of Elfin Saddle Helvella lacunosa.

Some fresh specimens of Phellinus Ignarius were found on Salix spp. by the Yardley Hastings village pond on 18/10/2005. This record is new for Yardley Chase and a 2^nd record for the County, the previous record was in the nineteen century.

Fortunately the Huntingdon Fungus Group were busy in the north end of the county this autumn and on their trip to Bedford Purlieus (TL033995) on 22 October 2005 they found Greenspored Dapperling Melanophyllum eyrei as part of a 72 species haul.

Records continued into mid-November until the first decent frost of the autumn.

Thanks to Alan Robbins, Tony Richardson and the Huntingdonshire Fungus Group for records.

Contact & Website Editor - Jeff Blincow