Fungal Safari at Hoylake Willows

Earlier this month a Wirral Wildlife member got in touch with us to ask for help identifying the fungus she had photographed on a willow log at Hoylake Willows, near Manor Road station.

What fungus is this?

We sent the query to fungus expert John Ratcliffe who said it was probably Turkeytail (Trametes versicolor) but he would need to have a closer look to be sure. He set off for Hoylake Willows the following day and found the log where the fungus was growing. John was able to confirm his identification of Turkeytail.

Turkeytail (Trametes versicolor)

Not one to miss a chance for some mycological exploration, he had a look around the site and spotted all these other fungi too!

Willow Barkspot (Diatrype bullata)

Common Jellyspot (Dacrymyces stillatus)

Crystal Brain (Exidia nucleata)

Netted Crust Byssomerulius corium

Scarlet Elfcup Sarcoscypha austriaca

Amber Jelly Exidia recisa

Smoky Bracket Bjerkandera adusta

Yellow Brain Tremella mesenterica

Poplar Bells Schizophyllum amplum

The underside of Poplar Bells Schizophyllum amplum

White Brain Exidia thuretiana

Blueing Bracket Postia subcaesia

Scurfy Twiglet Tubaria furfuracea

Oysterlings Crepidotus sp.
These need microscopy to get to species level
but John's microscope was away being serviced!

Many thanks to John for sharing his knowledge and going above and beyond in not only providing the answer to the initial question but going on a fungal safari and sending us these wonderful photos!