Quantock Hills Blog

Funday Fungi Finding

- Looking for the rare Pink Waxcap fungi

Iain Porter

Posted by Iain Porter on 21 October 2009

Funday Fungi Finding The Quantock Conservation Volunteers undertook a day surveying two prime locations for the rare Pink Waxcap fungi.

The Pink Waxcap fungi is usually found on grassland which has not had any fertilisers or pesticides used on it and so is a good indicator of the health of that grassland. Over the last 50 years it has become increasingly rare but the Quantock Hills has a number of sites where they can be found. Today I went out with eight of our volunteers to Cothelstone Hill and Fyne Court to look for any interesting fungi. It was apparent that the fruiting bodies of the fungi (the bits we see) are not out in any numbers yet which may be due to the dry weather in the autumn. Thankfully we did find a number of waxcap species and even found a pink waxcap on grassland at Fyne Court. We would like to hear from anyone who has seen a Pink Waxcap on the hills so we can inform the Somerset Environmental Records Centre.


Comments in chronological order (Total 1 comments)

Add your comment

  • No avatar available
    Sharki

    10 Nov 09

    Well, there were fungus and pinks ones at that, despite not being split at the margins and not on grassland, the internet seems to state the waxcap is the only bright pink fungus in Britain.

    Where: in Kings cliff, just above the lower parking area, near the margins of the wood.

    I’ll send some pics as there was a selection of them at different stages, from rounded as they just breached the ground, to convex as they turned in on themselves.

    The fins were a very pale pink and the stems were the same shade.

    Standing about 80mm high with a flattened cap around 25mm.

    There were about 10 in total with some appearing in small clusters of 2/3, which seems to conflict with most of what i’ve read about the pink waxcap.


    I had no time to look for more, but will as i’m keen to get back and photograph the great diversity there, therefore adding to the jews ear, earth tongue, candle snuff, prince and a few i cannot easily identify. Help there would be lovely.


Commenting is not available in this channel entry.

Stay in the loop

Annual Reports

View Annual reports from the Quantock AONB Service

AONB Planning Consultation Comments 2011

Please click below to read responses made by the AONB on behalf of the Quantock Hills Joint Advisory Committee

Information leaflets

Find out more about why the heathland is so important for birds, the red deer on the Quantocks and why the history of the landscape is so special.

Management Plan

The Quantock Hills AONB Management Plan 2009-2014 and Management Plan Summary

Newsletters

If you would like to subscribe to the Quantock Hills e-newsletter please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and we will put you on our mailing list

Other organisations and activities in the Quantocks

A few things you might find interesting from organisations we work with in the Quantocks

Planning Application Comments 2012

Find out how the Quantock Hills AONB Service commented on planning applications in 2012

Planning Guidance and Position Statements

Find our guidance documents and position statements here.

PREPARING FOR CHANGE

Climate-proof your tourism business

Quantock Deer Count Results

Annual deer count results for 2010, 2011and 2012

QUANTOCK ECO EVENTS PROGRAMME

Building Resilient Villages

Quantock Hills Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) Papers

Papers from the partnership committee the Joint Advisory Committeeqhjac_papers_22nd_july_11.pdf

Quantock Hills Visitor Guide

Quantock Hills Visitor Guide

Recreation Leaflets

a full range of leaflets from circular walks to event guides and leaflets to allow you to enjoy the best of the hills

SCC disposal of land

Find out the Quantock Hills AONB Service position, and our response to SCC

Sustainable Development Fund forms

The SDF for 20011/12 has £45,000 to allocate. This will provide grants to organisations, businesses, community groups and individuals who wish to explore and develop practical projects that enhance, conserve and develop the environment, economy and way of life.

Tick Leaflet

Ticks are becoming more common and a bite from this spider-like parasite could lead to Lyme Disease. This is a treatable infection caused by bacterium transmitted by ticks when they bite. Not every tick carries Lyme Disease and it is important to realise that the disease is relatively rare.

Wild Places competition

Win a chance to create your own 'wild place'.

Information

Useful Contacts

Quantock AONB Service
Tel: 01823 451 884

Somerset Wildlife Trust
Tel: 01823 652 400
www.somersetwildlife.org

National Trust
Tel: 01823 451 814
www.nationaltrust.org

Forestry Commission
Tel: 01278 732 319