Recent content by Marcus Antonius

Turkey Tail - Trametes versicolor 1st Bracket fungi, or polypores, produce bracketshaped bodies and usually grow on tree trunks or branches. One of the most common of the smaller bracket fungi found in deciduous woodlands throughout the UK, turkey tail is remarkably variable in the colour of the...

Fly Agaric - Amanita muscaria 1st This is the classic toadstool illustrated in children’s books of fairy tales around the world, but many people do not realise that it is a real fungus. Widespread over the whole of the UK from around August to December, it is most commonly found in birch woods...

Collared Earthstar - Geastrum michelianum 1st This mushroom starts growing closed up, rather like an onion, but then the outer tissues split and fold back into star-like arms, lifting the central ball up from the ground. Inside the ball are spores that puff out when the ball is struck by rain...

Amethyst Deceiver - Laccaria amethystina 1st Small troops of amethyst deceivers may appear almost as soon as the autumn rains begin. They push up through the fallen leaf litter in forests across the UK. The amethyst deceiver’s small size and striking colour when fresh of bright amethyst violet...

Penny Bun - Boletus edulis 1st Also known as cep, this is one of the most famous edible mushroom species in Europe, celebrated in numerous cuisines. A robust species, it has caps that can reach 25cm across, varying from yellowish brown to dark chestnut. The fleshy stems have a fine white mesh or...

Scarlet Elf Cup - Sarcoscypha austriaca 2nd Found in the late winter through spring, this beautiful species can reach 5–6cm across and often occurs in groups along fallen, mossy branches in wet or humid deciduous woodlands. It is widespread and locally frequent in some parts of the UK. The outer...

Morel - Morchella vulgaris 2nd Morels are found from March to May and are considered to be prized edibles. There are several very similar species, of which this is one of the more common its sponge-like head is where its spores are formed in special cells, from which they are ejected in huge...

Scarlet Waxcup - Hygrocybe coccinea 2nd This is one of the most beautiful mushrooms. Its scarlet cap can be found in late autumn in open, undisturbed, unfertilised meadows. The lamellae, or gills, on the underside of the cap and the fragile, waxy stem are both reddish-orange, with the stem being...

Clustered Bonnet - Mycena inclinata 2nd Wherever you find fallen oak logs, you may see the clustered bonnet, one the most common and widespread British species of Mycena. The reddish brown stems, paler at the top, pale grey-brown caps and rather strong odour – sometimes likened to wet paint...

Current Stamp Issue July 3 2025 Commemorative Mushrooms Royal Mail has issued 10 stamps that showcase the extraordinary diversity and ecological importance of mushrooms that can be found across the United Kingdom. Royal Mail worked with mycologist Geoffrey Kibby, one of Britain’s foremost...

3rd July, 2025 Mid Suffolk Light Railway Extension to be Opened Sir Berkeley The Mid Suffolk Light Railway have announced that their extension opening plans have been approved. The extension will double the length of the previous journeys on the railway, giving visitors a return ride of...

3rd July, 2025 Steam locomotive 6989 Wightwick Hall to feature in Harry Potter series 6989 "Wightwick Hall" on April 17, 2023 The Buckinghamshire Railway Centre has announced that their GWR Hall, No. 6989 Wightwick Hall, is to play the role of 5972 Hogwarts Castle in the Harry Potter series...

3rd July, 2025 Wheel Slide Protection installation to ScotRail HSTs on track The integration of the Knorr-Bremse Wheel Slide Protection system is intended to help ScotRail enhance the reliability of its Inter7City High-Speed Train fleet An update on Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems UK’s £3.67...

3rd July, 2025 ORR rejects plans for direct London trains for Wrexham, Rochdale and Manchester passengers Wrexham General Station The Office of Rail and Road have rejected plans for direct trains to London from three companies, citing a lack of capacity on the West Coast Main Line. All three...