Know your fungi with Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust

suzanne.moon@iliffepublishing.co.uk

Published: 05:00, 12 October 2024

It’s wet, it’s (relatively) warm and so a great time to discover some of the more fun-looking organisms that grow across the area.

Led by Tim Sexton, who has the wonderful job title ‘senior species and recording officer for Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, a guided fungi walk at Rutland Water attracted a team of interested fungi fans, ranging from primary school to pensioner age.

Tim has been studying fungi for more than two decades and knows to begin any talk by cautioning against foraging for edible fungi, because the consequences of misidentifying species can be fatal. Even experts have got it wrong.

Tim Sexton, fourth from left, with people who joined him for a guided fungi walk at Rutland Water. Photo: Dave Hodson

Dave Hodson, a keen photographer and member of Stamford and Rutland Photographic Society, was among the dozen people who joined the walk.

He said: “We were amazed at how many different species of fungi are growing in the UK – more than 15,000, along with weird facts, such as that 200 species of fungi can grow on a human foot!”

Tim was ably assisted by the youngest participant, Isaac, who had the benefit of being much near the ground and clearly had some previous experience of finding numerous examples.

Clockwise from top left: Scarlet mycena, cinnamon bracket, fairy inkcap, yellow brain, sulphur tuft, green elfcup, oysterling, smoky bracket, and centre, grooved bonnet. Photos: Tim Sexton and Dave Hodson

Dave added: “We saw literally hundreds of fungi and Tim recorded over 75 different species.

“These included some rare species such as the wonderfully named green elf cup – a species which is not often seen ‘fruiting’, the scarlet bonnet – a first for Rutland, and the cinnamon bracket – a species not recorded in Rutland for over 15 years.

“They ranged in size from some that were smaller than a pin head, to the much larger leopard earthball, which can release billions of spores when tapped by rain drops.”

Leicester and Rutland Wildlife Trust offers a number of guided walks and events. Details can be found at https://www.lrwt.org.uk/events