Southampton Common
Sun 5 Oct 2008
Field event ID HF0820
OS Grid areas: SU4114
Weather: On Wednesday we looked at the weather that was due on Sunday. Metcheck.com forecasted that18mm rain would fall on Sunday morning, by Thursday that this had reduced to 12mm and by Saturday the forecast had further improved to only 4.6mm of rainfall; which w
Report: (Roger Newton) So on Sunday morning Jacquey and I, with the protection of waterproofs and umbrellas, waited near the Bellemoor Inn for any intrepid forayers. John Newton arrived, looking very unenthusiastic due to the pouring rain. By 10.20 there were no signs of any other crazy mycologists. The temptation was to seek a warming coffee at the Pub but the loyalty instilled by being members of such a distinguished club gave us the strength and energy to brave the elements.
So visualise the scene: Roger Newton leading the way through the wet undergrowth, Jacquey attempting to record in the pouring rain, John only staying because he could not be shown up by his younger brother and none of us of quite sure what we were finding. Cries of “Where are Alan and Stuart when you really need them?” echoed through the foliage (in reality foraying in the Czech Republic).
But it was very enjoyable; the rain lessened over the morning and although specimens were scarce by lunchtime we had managed to find and confirm 30 specimens which did not include various examples of Webindum spp. Eight hygrocybes were identified including H.ceracea and H.irrigata. We decided to only foray for the morning and once home we had a welcome warm drink but not before stripping off our wet clothes and singing the national anthem. Is there such a thing as honoury club membership for families?
Species list: Amanita muscaria var. muscaria, Amanita rubescens var. rubescens, Bulgaria inquinans, Clavaria acuta, Clavulinopsis helvola, Daedalea quercina, Ganoderma australe, Gliophorus irrigatus, Hygrocybe ceracea, Hygrocybe conica, Hygrocybe pratensis var. pratensis, Hygrocybe virginea var. virginea, Hypholoma fasciculare var. fasciculare, Hypomyces rosellus, Hypoxylon fragiforme, Laccaria laccata, Lactarius quietus, Lenzites betulina, Marasmius cohaerens, Piptoporus betulinus, Rhodocollybia butyracea, Rhytisma acerinum, Russula parazurea, Scleroderma areolatum, Scleroderma citrinum, Trametes versicolor, Tricholomopsis rutilans