30I WOOLSTON EYES FUNGI 2001

by Sonia Allen on behalf of Peter Hill and the Rochdale Field Naturalists

We had two visits to Woolston Eyes. The first was a minor affair with three persons, but a fair number of species were seen. The second visit, a fortnight later, was attended by a larger group. It is interesting that although many of the same species were seen at the same locations on both occasions, changes in the weather conditions meant that each visit had species that were seen on only that occasion. For instance,Scutellinis scutellata the 'Eyelash Fungus', was only found on the first visit, as was Paxillus involutus the 'Brown Roll Rim' and  Amanita muscaria the 'Fly Agaric' near the bridge; Panaeolus foenisecii along the pathway and Pseudotrametes gibbosa near the north-west part of No.3 Bed. None of these were present on the second visit, More species in total were seen on the second visit, but this could be due to the fact more eyes were searching them out! 

On both visits our route was the same. Only part of the Reserve was able to be covered the area between our parking spot (Weir Lane) along the western path and embankment of No.2 Bed and around the pathways of No.3 Bed. Unfortunately, time precluded surveying other areas ( No. 1, 2 and 4 Beds). The fungi season is short and volunteers were not free to visit again. Our Chairman, Mr Peter Hill who is very knowledgeble on fungi, unfortunately also has numerous commitments locally at this particular time of year in leading local groups around reserves for fungi identification. However, we hope that future visits will be arranged for next Autumn and that the species list we accumulated will be seen as just the beginning of a list which can be added to over the years.

The vegetation on the Reserve does not include much in the way of mature woodland which would normally be a prime habitat to encourage the growth of fungi. Many of the tree species are fairly young and of a type which one would associate with 'reclaimation' type of natural regeneration. We found that the most mature tree species were to be found on the canal side of the footbridge to No.3 Bed and this area supported the most number of fungi species. Nevertheless, some species of fungi enjoy grassland habitats and the grassy areas and mown pathways were home to some of these. We only investigated the woodland and scrub areas adjacent to the pathways and hides. Much of this was Elder and Willow thicket, and although some specimens were decaying they were not large and the fungi species they supported tended to be same throughout.

We hope this will be of assistance towards compilation of a species list of fungi present at Woolston Eyes. Each year that follows may be slightly different. Some species are often present at the same site every year, others are more ephemeral. There are also'good' and 'bad' years for fungi. A flash of hard frost at the wrong time can take away many of the fragile types, whereas a few others are at their best a little later in the year and brackets may be present at any time during the winter. We look forward to next year's fungi foray.

Sonis Allen

for and on behalf of Mr. Peter Hill and Members of the Rochdale Field Naturalists

Woolston Eyes

Visited on 27 October 2001 - weather sunny, damp and mild for the time of year.

Area between the foot-bridge at Wier Lane along the path and western bank of No.2 Bed

• Amanita species (not Grisette)
• Lycoperdon perlatum
• Lyophyllum decasters
• Bolbitius vitellinus (Yellow Cow-pat Toadstool)
• Mycena species
• Volvariella speciosa
• Clitocybe species

Between the canal and south-east corner of No.3 Bed where there are mature trees - east of the footbridge

• Collybia butyracea (Buttercap)
• Laccarea amethystea (Amethyst Deceiver)
• Laccarea laccata (deceiver)
• Thelephora terrestis (Earth fan - lilac shaded)
• Mycena fibula
• Scleroderma citrinum (Common Earth Ball)
• Laccaria laccata (Deceiver)
• Lactarius quietus (Oak Milkcap)
• Paxillus involutus (Brown Roll Rim)
• Amanita muscaria (Fly Agaric)
• Russula species (both red and yellow capped)
• Tar Spot Fungi was noted on Sycamore leaves

Over the bridge and on to the Reserve's No.3 Bed - On the grass path near the South Hide

• Laccaria laccata (Deceiver)

After the South Hide the first piece of woodlnd

• Auricularia auricula-judae (Jews Ear) a gelatinous fungi on Elder
• Crepidodus variabilis - small white bracket fungi attached to twig litter
• Nectria cinnabarina (Coral Spot Fungi)

Following the path in an anticlockwise direction In woodland near the Tower Hide

• Daedaleopsis confragosa (Blushing Bracket) and this was really quite common on trees throughout
• Coprinus comatus (Shaggy Inkcap or Lawyers Wig)
• Coprinus atramentarious (Common Ink Cap)

Between the Tower Hide and Centre Hide on the grass path

• Panaeolus foenisecii

In the vicinity of the Platforms where the new viewing tower has been erected

• Coprinus micaceous (Glistening Ink Cap)
• Pseudotrametes gibbosa
• Coprinus plicatilis (Japanese Parasol Toadstool)
• Coprinus atramentarius (Common Ink Cap)
• Daedaleopsis confragosa (Blushing Bracket on Willow)
• Tremella mesenterica (Yellow Brain Fungus)
• Lepiota procera (Parasol Mushroom)
• Xylaria hypoxylon (Candle Snuff Fungus~)
• Russula species (red capped variety)
• Mycena leucogala
• Auricularia auricula-judae (Jews Ear)

Of special interest. found attached to dying nettle stems under the newplatform walkway; two kinds of white fungi. Both very small and easy to miss and at first glance looking like white moulds. One, under a lens, looked like crystalline frosty growths - and when the nettle stems were tapped, clouds of spores, like tiny puffs of dust, arose from the growths. This species is so far un-named.

The other tiny white fungus, under a lens, had the appearance of tiny white cups. This was found to be Calyptella capula.

Also in woodland between the 'new' Tower Hide and between this and the path to the Platform overlooking the north-west pool

• Pholiota squarrosa (Shaggy Pholiota)
• Coprinus disseminatus (Trooping Crumble Cap)
• Stereum species (not rugosum as it does not 'bleed' red when cut)
• Hebeloma species
• Dacrymyees stillatus (orange-yellow blobs on dead wood)
• Clitocybe flaccida Tawny Funnel Cap)

Along grassy path to last viewing area on No.3 Bed

• Amanita vaginata ( Grisette)

The low wooden tower hide at the weat end of the north-west pool

• Scutellinia scutellata (Eyelash Fungus)

Along the Flower Meadow path to the mown grass strip

• Clavaria vermicularis (White Spindles)

Woolston Eyes Fungi List in alpabetical order

• Amanita muscaria (Fly Agaric)
• Amanita species - not Grisette
• Amanita vaginata (Grisette)
• Bolbitius vitellinus (Yellow Cow-pat Toadstool)
• Calyptella capula
• Clavaria vermicularis (White Spindles)
• Clitocybe flaccida (Tawny Funnel Cap)
• Clitocybe species
• Collybia butyracea (Buttercap)
• Coprinus atramentarius (Common Ink Cap)
• Coprinus comatus (Saggy Inkcap or Lawyers Wig)
• Coprinus disseminatus (Trooping Crumble Cap)
• Coprinus micaceous (Glistening Ink Cap)
• Coprinus plicatilis (Japanese Parasol Toadstool)
• Crepidodus variabilis
• Dacrymyces stillatus
• Daedaleopsis confragosa (Blushing Bracket)
• Hebeloma species
• Laccarea amethystea (Amethyst Deceiver)
• Laccaria laccata (Deceiver)
• Lactarius quietus (Oak Milkcap)
• Lepiota procera (Parasol Mushroom)
• Lycoperdon perlatum (a Puffball)
• Lyophyllum decastes
• Mycena fibula
• Mycena leucogala
• Mycena species
• Nectria cinnabarina (Coral Spot Fungus)
• Panaeolus foenisecii
• Paxillus involutus (Brown Roll Rim)
• Pholiota squarrosa (Shaggy Pholiota)
• Pseudotrametes gibbosa
• Russula species - both red and yellow capped
• Scleroderma citrinum (Common Earth Ball)
• Scutellinia scutellata (Eyelash Fungus)
• Stereum species - not rugosum as it does not 'bleed' red when cut
• Tar Spot Fungus - noted on Sycamore Tree leaves
• Thelephora terrestis (Earth Fan)
• Tremella mesenterica (Yellow Brain Fungus)
• Volvariella speciosa
• Xylaria hypoxylon (Candle Snuff Fungus)

You will notice that in the fungi list, some were only identifiable down to the species. As you will appreciate, some of the fungi groups are huge and those which could not be identified further may have been a little uncommon or were not immediately recognizeable and were of a group so variable as to be impossible to identify without resorting to collection and microscopic examination of spore shape and colour etc. - an impossible task at this time.