Foray Reports

 17th May 2026

Gamston Wood Spring Foray

12 of us met at Gamston Wood near Retford, it was warm in the sunshine but outside the trees the north wind was chilling.

Our hopes were that we might find 20 species with a dozen pairs of eyes – and we did indeed manage to exceed this – end of foray count was in the late 20’s.

Several were sent to Howard for further analysis and Vaughan took a couple of samples home to investigate.

Although several species recorded were past their best, being samples grown in 2025 there was some fresh Turkeytail covering a log which was beautiful in the spring sunshine.

There was a bright little bonnet, Mycena acicula the Orange bonnet in green moss to show itself off.

And we all got excited by a Mycena pura cluster – Lilac bonnet – as it was the first fresh mushroom shaped species we found.

Agnieszka beat me to finding Beechmast candlesnuff, Xylaria carpophila on old beech nut husks!

Vaughan and I spotted a smashing clump of Dryad’s saddle, Polyporus squamosus.

We could all smell the Stinkhorn, Phallus impudicus but Matt spotted it, and the rest of us steered clear of the smell.

My thanks to all who put up with my slow recording and we all appreciated how much Di and Howard were missed on the day.