Martin Hodges' Wildlife Blog: Pinions and Parasols

Not the best picture, but this Tawny Pinion, attracted to one of the lights set last night, is a first for Tophill Low NR.

As we move into September fewer moths are on the wing. Interesting moths trapped overnight included several Dark Swordgrass, the first Large Wainscot of the season, and several Silky Wainscot.

Most of the day was taken up with fungi finding. Although difficult to put a name to everything, Doug and I have been trying hard to carry on the great work that the late Keith Allison put in over the years. Having found several new species for the site with Keith, and added some since he left us, albeit with some hard thinking, today could be called our first proper entry into the field without a tutor... the start of a new season...

Such a difficult subject for a pair of novices, the words possible and probable are very likely to appear before any species named! A disclaimer if you like but its what we think they may be are. And if anyone wishes to contribute to identifications... then the floor is open. Nothing like learning a bit more.

So what did we find... well plenty!

We'll start with fingers!

The long slender Dead Moll's Fingers

And these, perhaps looking like a turd... Dead Man's Fingers.

A little brighter are the yellow Stagshorn species.

Small Stagshorn above, and below is probable Pale Stagshorn. Under the trees in dark areas, it is very hard to get a great photograph of these.

Some of the larger species encountered included this clump of Sulphur Tuft.

The darkness in which we found this probable Blushing Bracket didn't help photo opportunities.

But alongside the probable Blushing Bracket were these Bay Polypore, part of an excellent display of the species at the north end of the site.

At the south end of the site, what looks like possible Scurfy Twiglet is present in abundance.

A little brighter, and excuse the photos taken in the dark is a probable Oysterling species... perhaps Variable Oysterling?

September is always great for Inkcaps... something I know about fungi. Here is a selection... Keith used to say they made good eating!!!

Judge's Wigs... I prefer Shaggy Inkcap. Here in various stages.

Hare's-foot Inkcap, again in various stages.

And this is Glistening Inkcap, photographed by Doug Fairweather.

Also captured on camera by Doug is this Stinking Dapperling

And this fine example of Plums and Custard, top is Doug's photo, mine is the one below, both taken around the same time but the woods are so dark.

From the photos taken it is obvious there is plenty to see, not mentioned yet that we encountered Yellow Brain, probable Weeping Widow, various other Bracket spp, Coral Spot, Rust on Coltsfoot and many others we walked past as it gets just to diffcult. There is a selection of pictures that are being worked on to see if they can be identified, This below we can't put a name too but the stand looked rather smart - even thought the photo doesn't do it justice.

This clump of Jews Ear was found in D Wood.

Slime molds aren't to everyones fancy... this is possibly Fuligo septica

And we'll end fungus spotting day one with these... Turkey Tail

And these Shaggy Parasol... apparently a cream sauce is nice with these but as a novice on the subject, or even if I hit 'good' level, I'm never going to eat one!