Cauliflower Fungus

Led by Phil Budd from the Southampton Natural History Society, a renowned local fungi and general nature enthusiast, he first took us through some interesting fungi facts and handed out his 'key to fungi' that would help us with identification.

It was then our turn to go off to find some fungi and Phil asked us to break up into groups and go fungi collecting.  Following the 'Fungi Code' we set off to see what we could find. Fifteen minutes later, Phil blew his whistle and we regrouped to identify the fungi we had found. 

Fly Agaric Common Parasol False Death Cap Stinkhorn

The whole group had done well and had found common parasol, poor man's beefsteak, bay bolete, penny bun, bitter bolete, red-cracking bolete, peppery bolete, common yellow russula, blackening russula, bare-toothed russula, green grass russula, ugly milk cap, birch milk cap, brown roll-rim, false chanterelle, sulphur tuft, wood woolly-foot, panther cap, wood tough shank, common stump brittle-head, birch knight cap, amethyst deceiver, rooting shank, oyster mushroom, common earthball and crested coral fungus.

To finish the morning, we then walked a little further into the woods finding more fungi including cauliflower fungus, birch polypore, spindle shank, saffron milk cap and dung roundhead.

We had also seen a few birds including a kestrel, nuthatch, mistle thrush and a robin was heard singing. Back at the car park, we thanked Phil for a fascinating and fun morning.

As it was such a beautiful day, a few of the group stayed on for lunch and another walk around the woods with one person seeing a blackbird, green woodpecker, chaffinches, red admiral and brimstone butterflies as well as more fungi including the rather strange but appropriately named stinkhorn.

At the Society's indoor meeting on Monday 23rd October, Richard Daponte from the Forestry Commission treated us to a fascinating illustrated talk about the Trees of the New Forest.

Richard gave us an insight into the history of tree management in the New Forest through to modern day uses for the wood, that in recent years has been seeing a resurgence in popularity, for example in furniture and timber frame buildings.  He also talked about the ancient and giant oak trees in the Forest and the wildlife that depends upon them.

The Waterside Natural History Society's next outdoor meeting will be on Sunday 19th November with a bird watching visit to Pulborough Brooks (entrance fee applies - RSPB members bring your membership card.)  Meet at Oak Road Car Park, Dibden Purlieu at 9.00am (strong footwear recommended.)