Big Ben the Brown Birch Bolet - Day 16

I arrived at Big Ben's secret location at about 1:30p.m. Many of the leaves on the birch trees have now gone and have settled on the forest floor. Much of the undergrowth has also withered and Ben's shelter is much reduced. The day so far has been mild and sunny and the air temperature bodes wells for a good continued growth period. The ground is no longer as sodden as it was and this may preserve what few bolets are left in the woods.

Big Ben the brown birch bolet

Today Big Ben measured as follows: the cap was 125mm in diameter and he was 105mm tall. The height appears to have stabilised but the cap continues to grow and it may be a few days before the cap curls and eventually withers and dies.

The weather outlook is not great with showers and wind forecasted for the coming days. Driving rain with very little shelter may hamper Big Ben's growth over the next few days but hopefully I will be able to report further on his progress. Do not miss the final days of Big Ben and the end of the brown birch bolet season.