Oakley Woods, Nr. Ashorne, Warwickshire - 5th January 2018

I visited this location for the first time, as usual not expecting to see a great quantity of fungi at this time of the year, but was pleasantly surprised by some of the more unusual resupinates I found on site. The whole area is unusual as it surrounds a crematorium, and more than once I needed to allow an entourage through when leaving the site. The woods were filled with magnificent Scots, Corsican and Caucasian Pine trees, along with a good quantity of Silver Birch, plus smaller areas of Oak and Hazel. Although most dog walkers I meet tend to give me a wide berth (perhaps it's the attire and boots I wear or the fact I am alone in a wood trying to look intelligent) I tend to jingle the nerves. I think I would be a little wary if I met myself coming the other way. One delightful lady stopped to ask what I was doing, seeing I was studying a fruiting body with a hand glass. She directed me to where, in the Autumn, there are many Amanita muscarias that can be found on the east side of the wood. I helped her ID a Stinkhorn (Phallas impudicus) she had found earlier in the year from her iPhone. I also found an unusual insect whilst focusing on rotting wood in a female Stag Beetle (added here for interest). Always good to see, and I would like to think shows the health of the wood. I reported this into the local Wildlife Trust in case.

Exida plana 

Mycena galopus var. candida - Milking bonnet

Mycena Inclinata (Clustered Bonnet, matured on Oak stump) 

Crepidotus variabilis  Variable Oysterling (matured)

Clavulinopsis fusiformis  Golden Spindles (way past its prime but unusual to see in late December)

Antrodia ramentacea (seldom recorded and seen here on Pine)

Ceraceomyces borealis (Seldom recorded seen here on Birch)

Mycoacia uda (with KOL staining)

Hymenochaete rubiginosa  Oak Curtain Crust 

Phanerochaete velutina - possible only

Heterobasidon annosum  Root Rot on Pine

Tomentellopsis echinospora (possible only - very cobwebby, thick and like white candyfloss)

Female Stag Beetle (note the nice pincers but minute compared to the males)