RVCWG Fantastic Fungi – 25th October 2026
On a blustery Sunday morning, 16 intrepid fungal foray-ers assembled at Poles Coppice. Rob Rowe, RVCWG committee member and local fungi expert lead the walk, collecting some samples on the way. Despite the strong winds and dry summer the group was determined to find what fungi the woods had to offer. Moving downslope and (mostly) out of the wind, the first fungi was spotted a Deer Sheild. Once the group had their eye in suddenly finds were being called out all over the place!
Slow progress from the car park with finds of Oysterling, bonnets and more Deer Shield the group eventually moved through the fields (finds of an inkcap, Boletes and brown cup en-route) into the woodland proper. Notably areas normally sodden in October were dry as a bone, making them more accessible for searching. Rosegill, Scallycap, Mottlegill and Witches Butter were all found during a slow walk through the woods. Hairy Curtain Crust was found throughout the woodland on deadwood, encounter of Batchelor’s Button drew great interest with the mysterious black jelly clinging to decaying branches.
With winds still whipping around and slow progress, group members began feeling the cold. A swift walk uphill through the woods (with a few stops to look at fungi on the way) warmed everyone up and braced us to head through open fields and back towards the road. Some large Parasols were spotted within a small, wooded area adjacent to the field as well as another inkcap. Thence down the road and back to the car park, with a quick stop to look at Rob’s growing fungi collection in his boot the group made their way home and finally out of the wind!
(Thanks to Michael Howard for the first three images below!)
