There are large numbers of Phyllonorycter esperella appearing on the upper surface of Hornbeams now. As this is the perhaps one of the commonest leafminers I find, its so-called local status is presumably dictated by the limited occurrence of Hornbeam itself?
And here are some Phyllonorycter coryli on Hazel, to compare and contrast!
While at the orchard I took a little time to look for fungi and came across these crust patches on what was most likely to be a small fallen branch of commercial cherry. I didn't think that it was Byssomerulius corium as the margins were not easily turned up, so my best bet was Basidioradulum radula.
This is what Junghuhnia (Steccherinum) nitidum - probably - looks like from a distance when the fallen branch it is growing on is propped up against a neighbouring sapling. I think the extensive fruiting patches indicate some quite dominant decomposer activity by this particular species.
Some neat patches of this rather excellent poroid crust, found perhaps unseasonably in April.
This area here shows water drop magnification of the pores!
Could be this, with a white margin according to Leif Goodson, on a newly fallen branch on the west path in Dene Park. However I find Radulomyces molaris far more readily, and my gut feeling is that this is Radulomyces again!!.
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.
This is that common Edged-Chocolate form of Turkeytail again, a lovely version of Trametes versicolor. Slightly out of focus I am afraid.
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.
