Big Ben the Brown Birch Bolet

Saturday started out quite nice but a lot of rain fell in the afternoon resulting in some flooding. Consequently this morning the ground was sodden and the forest floor was very wet, however it was bright and sunny. From the number of bolet mushrooms about it would appear that the season may be finally drawing to an end. I must admit that I find it most unusual to be finding them growing this late in the year, and the lack of heavy frosts to date is a possible reason for the extension of their season.

Big Ben the brown birch bolet

After yesterday's rainfall there was a lot of leaves on the ground, and it was quite difficult to spot the mushrooms. Big Ben was no exception despite the fact I was familiar with his location. The mushroom's soft brown colouring is easily camouflaged among the fallen autumn leaves.

Big Ben had done well since I saw him last and measured as follows: the cap now measures 115mm in diameter and he was 105mm tall. For now the cap and stalk remain in good condition but it was quite cold and windy today, and there is now increasingly less protection for Big Ben from the elements. The wet ground may also bring about his demise, because a number of mushrooms I found today were quite spongy and starting to decompose due to the heavy rainfall and sodden ground. It will be interesting to examine Big Ben's progress over the coming days to see if he does develop into a giant of the birch forest.