Members’ Finds 2026
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Rare sightings New to Buckinghamshire New to UK New to Science
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January 28th 2026
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January 28th Phaeotremella frondosa (Leafy Brain) In Burnham Beeches Gill Ferguson came across this large frilly seaweed-like gelatinous fungus and sent her photo to Penny who recognised it as what we have previously named Tremella foliacea. Checking her facts with Sarah Ebdon, she recalled that recently not only has the genus name changed but as DNA revealed it as a species complex, it has now been split with the result that P. foliacea is now the name for fruit bodies found on fallen conifer and P. frondosa when found on fallen broadleaf wood, most commonly Beech. In fact it is apparently parasitic on the common Stereum hirsutum (Hairy Curtain Crust), often occurring on the wood once the host fungus fruit bodies have disappeared, and Gill commented that she'd noticed this host further along the branch today. So though this is a new record for the county under its present name, there can be little doubt that most if not all of our records for Tremella foliacea are in fact this species. Previous finds |
January 27th 2026
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January 27th Dissingia leucomelaena (a rarely recorded Saddle with no English name)  In Gerrards Cross Jesper Launder investigated a spot under Pine where he'd previously found this rare species several times in Spring, and there it was again. Previously in genus Helvella (though looking more akin to maybe Peziza) this is the earliest date he's found it here. See the notes on previous finds for more information about the species. Previous finds |
.jpg "Photo © Jesper Launder") |
January 27th Balsamia vulgaris (Common Truffle) In Gerrards Cross Jesper Launder visited a spot he knows for a springtime Helvella species (which he successfully located), but whilst there he also noticed a large 'dig hole with truffly scraps in it' - his words - and on further investigation found a large in-tact knobbly truffle. It had a strong aroma of garlic which suggested B. vulgaris and his ID was then confirmed with microscopy later. What was particularly interesting was that the only possible host tree was 2-needle Pine which is not a known host for this species, known to associate with Beech, Hazel or possibly Larch, though Jesper has also found it under Spruce. There are only a dozen or so records for this species on FRDBI, four of these being Jesper's from Bucks. Previous finds |
January 12th 2026
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January 12th Tulostoma brumale (Winter Stalkball) Jesper Launder went looking for this species on a mossy bank in the carpark of a Gerrards Cross hotel where he'd found it new to the county in November '23', though having failed to find it there last year. He was rewarded with perhaps 10 fruitbodies though not in great condition, the best of which is seen here. These are tiny puffballs on a stalk, less than 1 cm across with the stalk up to about 2.5 cms tall, with a preference for sandy calcareous soil and most commonly found in coastal dunes. As will be ascertained from our other two Finds entries, we now have two county sites where it's been found. Previous finds |
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January 12th Flammulina velutipes (Velvet Shank) Tony Knight noticed this attractive fresh clump on an old Ash log in Chilton village. This is a species at home in wintry conditions and quite happy with snow and ice, so it's no surprise that our many other Finds entries have similar dates to this collection. Another to keep a look out for, with its brightly coloured caps and dark finely furry stems. Previous finds |
January 10th 2026
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January 10th Exidiopsis effusa (Hair Ice Crust) Claire Williams is becoming a dab hand at locating this beautiful and interesting species, though today's photos come from Downley Wood where she's not seen it before. Mid January seems to be the peak time for it to appear, when suitably moist and frosty conditions trigger this remarkable mutation to occur. See previous comments for further information. If we get another really cold spell then this is well worth looking out for on fallen wood. Previous finds |
January 4th 2026
| Just in December 31st |
Hypholoma capnoides (Conifer Tuft) Click here |
| Update December 25th |
Chrysomphalina grossula (Green Navel) Click here |
| Just in December 14th |
Craterium minutum (a slime mould with no English name) Click here |
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January 4th Craterellus tubaeformis (Trumpet Chanterelle) Our first find for 2026! Justin Long found these fruitbodies in Apsley Woods nr Milton Keynes, easily recognisable despite being completely frozen solid! The genus name may surprise a few here as this was previously in Cantharellus; it has also had several different English names including Yellowlegs (very apt) and Winter Chanterelle (also in this case apt) though it is certainly not restricted to fruiting at this time and is often to be found in good numbers during the autumn months. This is a mushroom which, if you come across one, there are nearly always more close by though they're usually surprisingly hard to see and you need to 'get your eye in' as the saying goes! Surprisingly, our previous Finds entry appears to be from 2023 because this is not a rarity. Previous finds |