Fungal Foray (with Flying Insects)

7 October 2004

This large Agaricus mushroom in the leaf litter on Lancing Clump looked and smelt extremely appetising. The large cap, which was left in-situ, measured 14 cm in diameter. The stem did not seem to be robust enough for the edible Horse Mushroom, Agaricus arvenis, more like the nauseous (if eaten) Yellow Stainer, Agaricus xanthodermis. The ring matched that of the second mushroom.

This was not the case of the handful of dried out Parasol, Macrolepiota procera, mushrooms in the meadow which were already beginning to attract the flies:.

Butterflies in flight were a few each of Speckled Woods on the bridlepath and in the wood, Red Admirals everywhere and Small Whites nearer the houses. A few Common Darters and a single blue male Emperor Dragonfly flying up the bridlepath were the only two species of Odonata seen.