Hothfield searching unsuccessfully for the Great Grey Shrike

 One possible glimpse of the Shrike, but mainly fungi today. 

This is lumpy enough to be Phlebia, but a rather capped version, on a very decayed log.  Unlikely to be Phlebia radiata though I would have said. 

I think this could be Smoky Bracket, Bjerkandera adusta, and possibly a few Sulphur Tufts, Hypholoma fasciculare. (Note from February 2024, this could also be Bjerkandera fumosa)

This just MIGHT be very young Smoky Bracket, judging on its very white margins.

I think that this might be Stereum gausapatum, the Oak Curtain Crust. Abrasion caused some reddening on the left, mid-centre.

Dene Park fungi

 This is that common Edged-Chocolate form of Turkeytail again, a lovely version of Trametes versicolor. Slightly out of focus I am afraid.

 

Ischnoderma benzoinum perhaps and Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa at Dene Park

 

A bit confused by these brackets: on one of the pine logs used as a car park divider at Dene Park, near Tonbridge. Pores about 3/mm but with no sign of mazegill structure, brackets relatively thin and sharp-edged, pores 5 mm long or less, mid-brown flesh, cap dark brown feeling a bit felty, with clearly obvious but thin whitish edge. No sign of yellowish colours. Creamy pore surface only gradually darkens to a tan brown when collected, does not quickly bruise.

The Coral Slime Mould Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa found on a fallen possibly hornbeam trunk of really well rotted wood looked amazing. 

The whiter outer surface is said to be fluffier as it is covered in the spores being released. 

The dead Elm on the Access Trail finally shows some more obvious fungal life!

 Very glad to finally find some fungal fruiting bodies on the long-dead Elm along the trail. 

First there was some lovely Wrinkled Peach, my first ever as far as I know, and gorgeously coloured, even if not obviously wrinkled. Closely associated with Elm - it is so satisfactory when things turn up exactly where they are supposed to be!

Secondly, the rather less attractive Tripe Fungus, Auricularia mesenterica, also closely associated with dead Elm. These fruiting bodies seemed rather old and dried out. 

Here is the underside of one section, coming back to life a little.

Also note the beetle holes in the log.