Annual Fungus Forays: Kingston Cemetery, Queen's Wood Highgate and Tolworth Court Farm

Queen’s Wood, Highgate, annual fungus foray, London Natural History Society.



The London Natural History Society’s annual Fungus Foray is one of its most popular autumn events, bringing together members, mycologists, and  newcomers to explore thediversity of fungi found in London’s parks, woodlands, and open spaces. Led by experienced field specialists, the foray offers participants the chance to learn how to identify mushrooms, brackets, and other fungi while gaining insight into their ecology, lifecycles, and importance in urban habitats. The walk typically includes hands-on examination of specimens, discussion of notable  finds, and guidance on responsible collecting and recording. Beyond discovery, the event contributes valuable observations to the Society’s longstanding biological recording efforts, helping build a richer picture of the city’s natural heritage.

                                                           Black Bulgar Bulgaria inquinans  
                                             Tiny mushroom found only on Holly leaves, the Holly Parachute Marasmius hudsonii
                                          A smaller than usual multi-zoned rosette Podocypher multizonata 
                                                             A  Coral 
                                                      Hen of the Woods Grifola frondosa  


 Kingston Cemetery

...has been very slow to reveal its fungal secrets this year with few of the regulars appearing. Then in the second week of November after repeated rain and mild temperatures troupes of Field Blewits and ~40 Red Cracking Boletes appeared in random areas. Whilst none of the speciality waxcaps appeared including the  Parrot Waxcaps in the upper cemetery, several Snowy Waxcaps were found in the lower cemetery.


Field Blewit


                                                          Red-cracking bolete

                                                              Snowy waxcap Hygrocybe / Cuphophyllus virgineus


I attended a  Fungi Field Recorder Day 15.10.25, held in partnership with Citizen Zoo at Tolworth Court Farm (Kingston) as part of the Wild Tolworth project.  Field Recorder Days at Tolworth Court Farm started in 2022,  and this year over 50 species, > double the number found in 2024.

Highlights from our fungal finds from the day included large patches of a Paneolus species, growing from dead wood in Tolworth Court Farm Moated Manor. We found numerous specimens of Laccaria laccata (Deceiver), the slimy yellow Pholiota gummosa (Sticky Scalycap) and Armillaria mellea (Honey Fungus) across the site. The attractive yellow Bolbitius titubans was also abundant in the grassland edges. Blushing Bracket Daedaleopsis confragosa was commonly spotted on trees.

More about Tolworth Court Farm here: recording-london-fungi


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