As a self-taught nature illustrator, Ferne Glannan-MacRae brings the intricacies of British species to life using Procreate on iPad. Her designs are inspired by a love for the environment and, in particular, British wildlife.
With a background in the design industry and a degree in wildlife photography, Ferne uses intricate line work and natural colour palettes to create products that celebrate the beauty of the natural world.
We recently spoke to Ferne about her company, Ferne Creative, where she told us why the business started, how she decides which species to include in her collections, which charities she supports through her work and what new products she has on the horizon.
You can browse the range from Ferne Creative available from us here.
Firstly, can you tell us a little about yourself and what inspired you to start Ferne Creative?
I have been drawing since I could hold a pencil, with many artists in my family. I actually studied Marine and Natural History Photography at university, but after my Masters degree I worked as a designer in the printing industry. I always knew that I would hate office work and during lockdown I started painting again and ventured into digital illustration. It was after people online started enjoying my work that I turned it into a business and decided to leave my job. My business is split in two – my product-based business, which focuses on species I want to draw and things to make for nature lovers, and the other commission-based work for charities, nature reserves and other wildlife organisations.
You have such a wide range of products on offer, with so many species featured. How do you choose which species would work on which product?
I often find that choosing what to draw is really hard, so I focus on species I would like to see – a manifestation list. I have started to create collections based on what other people are likely to try and find at nature reserves around the UK, such as Ospreys and puffins. As for which species suits which product, really I go with the flow of what product I want to focus on at that time based on what has been popular.
I love how you manage to ensure that the illustrations are true to life, and each animal or plant looks as it would in nature. Is this important to you and do you have a favourite species to portray?
I have always been a bit of a perfectionist, which I am trying to escape, but I do want all the species to have that sense of accuracy even if I am leaning away from 100% realism at times. My audience is nature lovers and they will notice and care if I miss something important from a drawing (I did get contacted about a ladybird with a missing spot before!). In terms of my favourite species to draw, I have found over time – and as will be clear from my products – that I love drawing birds! In particular, I love all the textures and patterns in their plumage.
You donate a percentage of sales from selected products to various wildlife and conservation charities. Which charities do you support?
I currently have two dedicated products from which I donate a percentage of sales. The first is my Hedgehog enamel pin, which started after my own experience with an injured Hedgehog and the desire to give back. The backing card that the pin comes on is a mini booklet with information to help people in similar situations with injured hogs and tips on who to call. In the past I donated to Secret World Wildlife Rescue, and now I rotate my donations to different Hedgehog-specific hospitals. My other product is an iron-on patch of a Scottish Wildcat. A portion of sales from these are donated to Saving Wildcats, a project aiming to help one of our rarest species through breeding programmes, releases and monitoring.
Do you have any new products on the horizon that you can tell us about?
After the launch of my bird of prey educational colouring book I have had my sights set on making a seabird version and there have been requests for one on butterflies. I love making these, with facts about the species, but I have been working on some simplified colouring books for younger children too.
The UK boasts a rich and diverse fungal kingdom, from spongy puffballs to otherworldly slime moulds and foul-smelling stinkhorns – among these edible treasures lurk several deadly species, capable of causing serious illness and even death. In this blog, we will explore some of the most notorious poisonous mushrooms in the UK.
This blog is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a definitive guide to mushroom identification. Always consult with a professional before consuming any wild mushrooms.
Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria), also known as Fly Amanita
Commonly depicted in fairy tales, artwork and film, Fly Agaric is a familiar image that comes to mind when one thinks of fungi.
Identification: These common mushrooms are most readily identified by their contrasting bright red (or in some cases, orange) cap and white flesh. The cap can reach 20cm across, is initially hemispherical in shape before opening flat as the mushroom matures and is often accompanied by white spots or ‘warts’ that can be washed off with rain – a remnant of the ‘egg’ covering. On the underside, the gills are closely packed together and are not joined at the stipe – a brittle, bright white stalk. The stipe features a large white skirt that may have yellowed edges, and at its base is a bulbous volva (a cup-like structure) covered with shaggy, scaled rings. Spores are oval and white. Fly Agaric are widely distributed across heathland and moorland from August to December, and show a preference for light soils among birch, pine or spruce trees with which they form mycorrhizal associations.
Toxicity: Reported symptoms of Fly Agaric poisoning can vary greatly, but primarily, this mushroom causes hallucinations, psychosis, diarrhoea and digestive upset. It can be mistaken for the Blusher (Amanita rubescens), an Amanita which has a similar shape, and a pale red-brown cap with cream spots.
Fungi fact: This species was traditionally used as an insecticide – where the name Fly Agaric originated. Ibotenic acid within the toadstool attracts flies and subsequently kills them, which led to its use as a medieval fly trap, where it would be broken up and sprinkled into milk. It has also been used in Siberian civilisations, where it has been consumed for religious and recreational purposes for millennia.
The Panthercap is another distinctive member of the Amanita family, and is strikingly similar to its vibrant cousin, Fly Agaric.
Identification: This poisonous toadstool is not particularly common in Britain, but can be found from July to November in broadleaved woodland, where it forms ectomycorrhizal relationships with beech and oak trees. It can grow up to 14cm in height, with a cap width of around 12cm for mature specimens. The cap itself flattens with age, appears dark brown to slightly red in colour, and is usually covered with thick white ‘warts’ or spots. Underneath the cap, the crowded white gills are free from the stipe and produce white spores that are broadly ovate in shape. The white stipe typically appears smoother towards the top and shaggier under the skirt, which is generally smooth and white. The flesh inside the stipe and cap is hollow and white.
Toxicity: Panthercaps toxins can result in suppression of the central nervous system, involuntary muscle movement, hallucinations, gastrointestinal upset and an increased heart rate. These toadstools may be mistaken for the Blusher, as well as the Grey Spotted Amanita (Amanita excelsa) which can be distinguished by striations on the upper surface of the skirt.
A highly toxic little brown mushroom, the Funeral Bell can quite easily be mistaken for other edible species. It can be found fruiting in clusters on woodchips, dead rotted wood and coniferous/deciduous tree stumps from August to November.
Identification: Funeral Bells can grow up to 7cm in height, with a cap diameter of approximately 6cm. The cap can be pale yellow or brown in colour, or orange in some cases, and the edges are usually lighter than the centre. Pale tan to red/brown gills on the underside of the cap are relatively crowded and are broadly attached to the stipe, occasionally running down it slightly. The fibrous stipe can be found in varying colours, from pale tan to dark brown, which depends largely on maturity, and it has a small membranous skirt, with pale, thin flesh that darkens as the fruit matures. Spores are brown in colour.
Toxicity: Funeral Bells have the same toxins as Death Caps and Destroying Angels – when ingested, these compounds cause gastrointestinal upset within 24 hours, before suddenly resolving. Symptoms return shortly after this and quickly progress into organ failure and eventual death. The Funeral Bell can be easily mistaken for other little brown mushrooms and has been mistaken for Velvet Shank in the past – easily distinguished by a black velvety stem and the absence of a skirt.
Fungi fact: One single mushroom contains enough toxin to kill an adult human.
Although rare in the UK, Deadly Webcaps can be found in coniferous pine and spruce woodland, growing among heather or bilberry from August to November.
Identification: On average, these mushrooms grow to 8cm in height, with a cap width of up to 6cm. Young caps start with a convex shape, before maturing into an umbonate form with a raised and slightly pointed centre. The cap colour can range from reddish brown to orange and the surface may appear hairy or scaly. On the underside, gills can be orange, brown or red, often appearing paler on immature toadstools, and spore prints of this species are typically rusty brown. The gills themselves are fairly widely spaced and emarginate, joined to the stipe with a slight notch and younger specimens may have a pale, slightly orange, cortina (or veil with a cobweb-like structure) that cover them. The stipe can vary in colour and has a slightly bulbous lower half, tapering towards the base.
Toxicity: Following ingestion, symptoms can take up to two weeks to develop, manifesting as digestive upset and interruptions of the central nervous system, soon followed by kidney and liver failure.
Fungi fact: Deadly Webcaps are reported to have a scent reminiscent of radish.
Death Caps are fairly common in broadleaved and mixed deciduous woodland with oak and beech trees, where they can be found in widely spaced groups from July to November.
Identification: On average, these mushrooms grow to around 15cm in height. They begin with a convex cap that flattens as it matures and can be olive yellow to green-bronze in colour – depending on the age of the fruit, a white cap may also be observed. The cap is often darker in the middle and has radiating fibres that give a streaked appearance. Underneath, the gills are broadly spaced and are free of the stipe, appearing white, cream or pink in colour, which changes as the fungus matures. The stalk is generally off-white in colour with a clearly striated skirt and an obvious deep volva. Death Cap spores are white and elliptical in shape.
Toxicity: Death Cap poisoning starts with gastrointestinal symptoms several hours after ingestion. These symptoms can last for days before a brief recovery, after which the liver and kidneys fail resulting in death in most cases. This deadly mushroom can easily be mistaken for a number of edible varieties but can easily be distinguished by a sickly-sweet smell.
Fungi fact: Death Caps have caused the most fatalities from mushroom poisoning in the UK and are known as the world’s most deadly fungus. It has been used as a murder weapon for millennia, and there is no known antidote to its toxins.
Destroying Angels are relatively uncommon in the UK but can be found in broadleaved and mixed deciduous woodland, especially those with Birch trees, from July to November.
Identification: Destroying Angels stand up to 14cm in height, with a cap width of 11cm. They are pure white in colour and start with a convex cap, before maturing to a conical shape and eventually lying flat. Underneath, the white gills are crowded and free of the stem, which has fibrous skin and a bulbous volva at the base. Destroying Angels have a skirt on the upper half of the stipe, which is fragile and may be missing or small in size – it is not striated and is also white in colour. The flesh inside the mushroom is pure white, and the spores are white globose. It is has an unpleasant sickly-sweet smell.
Toxicity: Symptoms – vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain – begin several hours after ingestion and can last for several days before easing into a false recovery and eventual organ failure. Destroying Angels may be mistaken for edible Wood Mushrooms (Agaricus silbicola), which can be distinguished by the smell of aniseed and brown spores.
Fungi fact: Small mammals, including rabbits and squirrels, are known to consume Destroying Angels with no ill effect.
The Green to Grey Project, a cross-border collaborative project of journalists and scientists, has revealed the scale of nature lost to urban development across Europe. Conducted using a combination of satellite imagery, on-the-ground reporting and artificial intelligence, the unprecedented study has revealed that undeveloped land is disappearing up to one and a half times faster across Europe than was previously estimated. Their findings show that the UK has seen 604 sq km of green areas lost to development between 2018 and 2023. It ranks fifth worst of all European countries for green space lost.
by Dmitry Djouce, via flickr.
Fisheries (mis)management
Gross mismanagement of UK fish populations including Cod, Herring and Mackerel has continued despite promises from some politicians during the Brexit campaign that leaving the European Union would provide an opportunity to stabilise fish stocks. A new report from Oceana UK shows that of 105 stocks assessed, only 41% can be considered healthy (meaning they were not overfished to an extent that they could not repopulate) 27% are ‘critically low’ and 25% are being overexploited. Some species, such as North Sea Cod, have been classified as both critically low and still overexploited. Oceana UK has called for a governmental strategy that ends overfishing by the end of 2026.
COP 30 in Brazil
Cop 30, the UN’s climate change summit, will take place in Belém, Brazil. The region is home to the Amazon rainforest, a vital and biodiverse ecosystem which stores billions of tonnes of carbon and still faces catastrophic deforestation (which Brazil’s president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has vowed to stop). The 30th UN summit is touted to be the most significant since the Paris Agreement was negotiated in 2015 as countries are obliged to prepare, communicate and maintain their five yearly national climate plans, or Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCS). Taking place in an atmosphere of intense geopolitical turmoil and escalating ecological devastation, the summit will encounter its biggest challenge yet, as the very fabric of global efforts to mitigate climate change threatens to unravel.
The 44th Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), an international body composed of 26 countries and the European Union, has ended in a stalemate. At the heart of this year’s debate was a conflict between the long-proposed designation of an Antarctic Marine Protected Area (MPA), (supported by most members) and a Norwegian proposal to double the scale of industrial krill fishing in the region. Bjørn Krafft, a scientist at the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research and scientific representative for the Norwegian delegation to CCAMLR argued that their ‘proposal is science-driven and developed within Norway’s broader commitment to sustainable fisheries management’. The proposal was opposed by a coalition of nations led by Chile, Argentina, The European Union and New Zealand, who argued that Norwegian research failed to sufficiently consider the impact that even current levels of krill fishing have on predators including seals, whales and penguins. No new designations were adopted.
I recently had the opportunity to attend the official launch of the UK’s National Seagrass Nursery, held by the Ocean Conservation Trust (OCT) as part of its Blue Meadows project. Based on the River Dart, in Devon, the National Seagrass Nursery spans 400 square metres, making it the largest of its kind in the UK. This exciting launch event brought together a variety of national and local stakeholders, all with a vested interest in safeguarding and restoring our seagrass meadows.
Seagrass plays a vital role in marine ecosystems, with a single hectare capable of supporting 80,000 fish and 100 million small invertebrates. These marine meadows are also important carbon stores, absorbing carbon up to 35 times more efficiently than tropical rainforests. Unfortunately, since the 1930s the UK has lost around 90% of its seagrass beds, with the decline driven by a combination of disturbance, disease and pollution.
The OCT’s Blue Meadows project is working to combat this decline, aiming to protect 10% of all UK seagrass meadows and restore 50ha of seagrass over the next decade. The National Seagrass Nursery is a key component of realising these ambitions, and I was lucky enough to enjoy a guided tour of the facility.
In recent years, the OCT has developed a two-pronged approach to subtidal seagrass restoration, using hydro marine seeding and seagrass mat technology in combination. Reflecting this dual approach, the nursery is divided into two sections. One side of the facility is dedicated to processing seagrass seeds that have been harvested from donor sites along the coast of the South West. These seeds are stored in large tanks and, over time, the organic matter that holds them against the flowering stem rots away, allowing the seeds to sink to the bottom. Some of these seeds will be planted directly into the seabed using the HMS OCToPUS, an innovative injection device reminiscent of a large caulking gun. Others will be taken to the other side of the nursery and planted into sand on hessian mats. These mats are then placed into shallow tanks of fresh seawater, which is pumped in from the nearby estuary. Here, they will grow into plantlets, and after 4–6 months they will be ready for planting into the seabed. The mats are then taken to the chosen restoration site and carefully pegged in place by divers.
Despite the innovative facilities and technology on display at this event, what I was most impressed by was the knowledge and dedication of the team. OCT and its supporters have worked incredibly hard and have already seen some early success with 208ha of seagrass currently protected and 3ha restored. The launch of the National Seagrass Nursery represents an exciting step in UK seagrass restoration, and I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds for this initiative. You can learn more about the Blue Meadows project here.
Tributes continue to arise from across the globe as people and institutions remember the life and legacy of Jane Goodall, who has died at the age of 91. The pioneering primatologist and conservationist was regarded as a world expert on chimpanzees, and her discoveries have revolutionised our understanding of ethology. She will be remembered as a tireless advocate for environmental protection and the animal kingdom.
The High Seas Treaty has now reached its 60th ratification, globally, meaning that it will take effect in January 2026. This important environmental milestone provides the foundation for legal mechanisms to create protected areas in international waters outside of national jurisdiction. Ratification represents a positive step towards ocean protection, however MPA designation is not an absolute guarantee that destructive practices will not be banned within the designated area. The British government’s move to continue the allowance of bottom trawling within UK MPAs demonstrates the apparent malleability of the legislation when governance sees an opportunity to override protection in favour of a perceived profit.
The UK itself is still a long way off ratification, but the government has committed to the introduction of legislation, the first step in the process, by the end of the year.
The government has moved to extend the ban on burning vegetation on deep peat. The new legislation means that burning will be banned on all peat that is over 30cm deep. Restrictions are not limited to SSSIs and will cover 676,628ha of deep peat in total – up from 222,000ha under the prior legislation. The ruling has been welcomed by nature groups as a positive step, both towards protection of peatland habitats and tackling the climate crisis.
The Climate Change Act 2008 under threat
Kemi Badenoch has vowed to repeal the Climate Change Act if the conservatives win the next election. The act, which was passed with almost unanimity in 2008, has served as the cornerstone of targets to reduce emissions and mitigate climate change over successive governments. Badenoch has stated that her prospective government would prioritise “growth, cheaper energy, and protecting the natural landscapes we all love”, in a declarative statement that has prompted widespread condemnation from senior conservatives, scientists, economists and businesses. The claims made to support her stance of repeal have been fact checked and reported here.
As part of our ongoing commitment to support wildlife and conservation, all NHBS staff members can apply for up to three days of paid time during each calendar year to spend on conservation projects of their choice. One of our Technical Advisors, Laura, recently spent a week working at RSPB Ynys Lawd / South Stack, in Anglesey. You can read all about her experience below:
Early in 2025, I applied to be a residential volunteer at RSPB Ynys Lawd / South Stack, Anglesey. I was lucky enough to be accepted and spent an incredible week, in early August, on the reserve.
RSPB Ynys Lawd / South Stack is an incredible reserve with swathes of heathland and farmland covering the rugged hills, eventually giving way to rocky sea cliffs. During springtime, large seabird colonies, including Razorbills, Guillemots, Puffins, Fulmars and Kittiwakes, nest in the cliffsides. Choughs and Ravens also call the reserve home, often dancing on the strong sea winds. All three types of Heather can be found there alongside Gorse and the South Stack Fleawort, thought to be endemic to the reserve. Cetaceans journey through the adjoining Irish Sea, with the most common visitors being Risso’s Dolphins, Common Dolphins and Harbour Porpoises.
I participated in the National Whale and Dolphin Watch 2025, run by the Sea Watch Foundation. This nine day citizen science event collects data on the distribution of whales, dolphins and porpoises around the UK. From the iconic Ellin’s Tower, we watched the seascape for an hour and noted any cetaceans that came past. The most memorable sighting was a pod of five Risso’s Dolphins with a calf! These distinctive dolphins are among the largest dolphin species, with some adult males growing up to 3.8 m long. Mature Risso’s Dolphins have unique bodily scarring patterns or ‘rake marks’, caused by members of their own species during social interactions, making them easier to individually identify. They’re also amazing acrobats, as we observed when we were lucky enough to spot a lone male doing backflips in the water! If you want to learn more about these enigmatic creatures, you can read our latest issue of British Wildlife.
Douglas Croft: NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries on Flickr
A lot of my time was spent engaging with visitors and discussing the array of wildlife that inhabits the reserve. From Ellin’s Tower, alongside cetaceans, I observed Grey Seals and seabirds. By August, most of the nesting seabirds had already left, however, the cliffs were by no means deserted. Kittiwakes, Herring Gulls, and Greater Black-backed Gulls were still populating the rocks. Gannets sailed past in the mornings, diving and emerging triumphantly with beaks full of fish. My personal favourite sighting was a juvenile Peregrine Falcon which swooped past the cliffs, honing its hunting skills with impressive dives and turns. Choughs are year-round residents, often announcing their presence with their distinctive “Chee-ow” call and playing in the strong sea winds.
Other days were taken up by roaming the reserve and ensuring it remained clean and free of litter. Handily, they had one of our old-style pond nets, which made it easy to ensure that the wildlife pond was kept free of rubbish.
All in all, I had a wonderful week, thanks in part to the beautiful surroundings and wildlife but also to the lovely staff and other volunteers who made me feel so welcome. It’s an experience I would heartily recommend.
Members of the fungal kingdom come in a remarkably diverse variety of shapes, sizes and colours. This blog provides an introduction to several captivating and commonly encountered fungal genera, highlighting their key characteristics, applications and identification tips.
We hope that this guide serves as a useful starting point to help recognise a few of the broad groups of mushrooms commonly encountered in the UK, but it should not be used for foraging purposes. There are around 15,000 species of fungi in Britain and identification can be extremely challenging, often requiring microscopic examination. Even in popular edible groups there are species or lookalikes that can cause serious illness, so it is vitally important to never collect or consume mushrooms unless you are absolutely certain of the identification.
There are around 600 species in the Amanita genus across the globe. This fascinating group exhibit great diversity but are best known for Fly Agarics and their distinctive crimson cap which features in mythology, folklore, art and media. While some members of this genus are edible, Amanitas are better known for their poisonous qualities and hallucinogenic properties. There are roughly fifty Amanita species that can be found within the UK. Around fifteen species are common and can be readily found near the base of trees, and five of these individuals are considered poisonous. Despite containing some edible species, the genusis generally avoided and are not considered safe for the novice forager.
Key Characteristics: Amanita’s form a mycorrhizal symbiotic relationship with trees – where they release enzymes and other organic acids to break down organic matter, making the nutrition in the soil more bioavailable. In turn, trees will provide Amanitas with nutrition synthesised through photosynthesis. These mushrooms can be characterised by white (or off-white) gills, that are closely spaced and free from the stipe and they are often seen with irregular patches, or ‘warts’ on the cap, which are fragments of the veil – a membrane that enclosed the young mushroom.
Uses or Applications: Research has shown potential for Aminata species in healthcare, particularly for their anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. Historically, Fly Agarics have also been used as an insecticide, where they were broken up into milk and used to trap flies.
Species Examples: Death Cap (Amanita phalloides), Destroying Angel (Amanita virosa), Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria), Panther Cap (Amanita pantherina)
Introduction: More than 100 Mycena species can be found throughout Britain and Ireland, although less than half of these are considered common or widespread in distribution. They are often referred to as ‘bonnets’ and consist of small, delicate toadstools with fragile stems and a number of these species are known to be bioluminescent, caused by a chemical reaction within the tissue cells.
Key Characteristics: A small conical or bell-shaped mushroom with a thin stem. Mycena caps can be translucent or may have light striations and on the underside, gills are attached to the stipe and produce white spores. Due to their small size (caps from 0.5 – 15cm), some species may only be identified through microscopic examination and spore sampling.
Uses or Applications: Due to their small size, Mycena are not considered edible – some species within the genus are poisonous, and since the group are difficult to identify, they are generally regarded as unsuitable for foraging.
Species Examples: Common Bonnet (Mycena galericulata), Rosy Bonnet (Mycena rosea), Lilac Bonnet (Mycena pura)
Introduction: The Psyilocybe genus is a widespread group of mushrooms, some of which are well known for their psychoactive properties. They are found across the globe in a range of nutrient rich habitats, and can be found growing in clusters in mossy, grassy or forested areas in the UK. The genus is split into two clades, one of which is comprised of hallucinogenic species that have a blue staining reaction when bruised (however it is worth noting that not all blue-staining fungal species contain psilocybin).
Key Characteristics: Psilocybes fall into the ‘little brown mushroom’ category – a non-descript, brown to yellow coloured mushroom that is small to medium in size. These gilled toadstools typically produce a dark spore print, have a slender stipe and a hygrophanous cap that changes colour as moisture levels change in the mushroom tissue.
Uses or Applications: Psilocybes are often referred to as ‘magic mushrooms’ for their psychoactive properties. Species in this genus can contain compounds such as psilocybin, which induce hallucination and changes in perception for those who have ingested the compound and has been historically used to treat some psychiatric conditions.
Species Examples: Liberty Cap (Psilocybe semilanceata), Wavy Cap (Psilocybe cyanescens).
Introduction: A genus of puffball mushrooms with approximately fifty species across the globe. These instantly recognisable fungi are common and widespread around the UK and can be found on the ground in woodland and pasture with plenty of leaf litter, where they decompose organic matter.
Key Characteristics: Lycoperdon species have a distinctive set of characteristics that allow for easy identification. These small-medium sized balls do not have gills or spores and have no cap. They tend not to have a stipe, but some species do have a small one that can appear thicker. Some species have a tough outer skin, and inside, the mushroom should have white, spongy flesh that turns yellow or brown as the spores mature. Members of this genus are basidiomycetes – they produce spores within the basidia (a microscopic spore-producing structure) which are located inside the fruiting body, releasing a cloud of spores when squeezed.
Uses or Applications: Most species in the Lycoperdon genus are edible. They are said to have a mild taste and smell, making them choice edibles for many foragers. Although they have a tendency to become slimy once cooked, puffballs are a common substitute in various vegetarian dishes.
Historically, puffballs have been used in medicine for their hemostatic properties which stop or slow the flow of blood, and blacksmiths in particular are known to have kept puffballs in the forge for these properties, as well as their ability to aid in the healing of burns.
Species Examples: Common Puffball (Lycoperdon perlatum), Pestle Puffball (Lycoperdon excipuliforme), Stump Puffball (Lycoperdon pyriforme)
Introduction: There are around 250 Boletus species worldwide, which until recently, were divided into smaller families and have since combined to form a larger genus. There are approximately 80 species of Bolete within the family Boletaceae in the UK, and many of these are choice edible species for foragers. As a largely mycorrhizal group, Boletes are commonly found in woodland or forest but may also be found in grassland habitats. Boletes can be found in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours –appearing quite large with thick, meaty fruiting bodies or smaller in size with more delicate features. Species in this group are basidiomycetes – instead of gills, these mushrooms have spongy, pore-filled masses on the underside of the cap which release spores.
Key Characteristics: Boletes are usually large, fleshy mushrooms with a thick stipe, characterised by spore-bearing structures on the underside of the cap, called tubes. The group is basidiomycetes, which feature a spongy mass containing pores that disperse white to yellow spores into the air. A large number of Boletes are also known to form mycorrhizal relationships with trees, and can often be found under broadleaf and coniferous trees.
Uses or Applications: A number of Bolete species are edible, including the King Bolete, and are considered some of the most versatile edible fungi.
Species Examples: King/Cep/Porcini/Penny Bun Bolete (Boletus edulis), Summer Bolete (Boletus reticulatus), Bronze Bolete (Boletus aereus)
If you’d like to delve deeper into the world of fungi and attempt to identify the mushrooms species you come across, here are our top picks to get you started:
As anticipated, in 2025, UK seas have had their warmest temperatures since records began. The first seven months of the year average 0.2°C higher than any year since 1980.
The observable outcome of this is the sometimes-abundant appearance of marine species that are usually found in low numbers in UK waters – Common Octopus, Bluefin Tuna, Mauve Stingers and Barrel Jellyfish have all been observed at unprecedented levels. Although likely to delight some marine naturalists, the unusually high presence of these species could be indicative of ecosystem destabilisation and the collapse of the global aquatic food web.
An eco-populist shift for the Green party
Zack Polanski has won the election to lead the Green Party in the UK. Defeating Adrian Ramsay and Ellie Chowns, two of the party’s four elected MPs, Polanski promises to actualise his vision of a green, mass membership, ‘eco-populist’ movement. The new leader aims to reverse the perceived ineffectuality of the established party approach by tactically parroting, and ideologically challenging, Nigel Farage and Reform UK.
The new leader is ‘open to’ collaboration with Jeremy Corbyn and Zara Sultana’s temporarily titled ‘Your Party’ and has directly vowed to replace Keir Starmer’s Labour.
It is unclear what the Green’s ‘eco-populist’ shift will mean for UK politics, but Polanski’s election victory represents a significant development for a splintered but variously surging political left.
Campaigners from Wild Justice and the Badger Trust have launched a legal challenge against the government’s decision to award additional badger cull permits. The controversial decision to renew licences, despite a previously promised ‘phase out’, has been met with considerable pushback from campaigners who cite the shaky evidence used to justify the culling of badgers in the UK. Rosie Wood, chairperson of the Badger Trust, says that ‘Bovine TB is overwhelmingly a cattle-to-cattle spread disease.? Follow the evidence – end the badger cull, stop this egregious attack on nature and stop misleading the public, farmers and the taxpayer.’ Look out for her commentary on the ongoing case in an upcoming issue of British Wildlife.
A setback for the global plastics treaty
The United Nations meeting marked the most recent push to actualise a global plastics treaty. Representatives of 100 nations called for an ambitious and effective treaty to curtail global plastic production but were stalled by 234 lobbyists from the oil industry who argued instead for a focus on ‘recycling’ and the continuation of unregulated plastic production. This breakdown of negotiation is the latest in a long line of failures to meet deadlines for the treaty – meaning business as usual for oil states and the accelerated detriment for ecosystems.
NHBS has teamed up with the Wild Planet Trust as part of our ongoing commitment to support wildlife and conservation. We have donated over 30 habitat boxes alongside wildlife cameras for use both on their local reserves and zoo sites.
We recently had the opportunity to speak with Reserves Warden Dave Ellacott, who is responsible for both the Primely and Clennon reserves. This week, we chatted to him about the work of the trust, his plans for the donated boxes and what successes and challenges he faces in his work.
Firstly, can you tell us a little bit about Wild Planet Trust, what you do and how the organisation began?
Wild Planet Trust – previously called the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust – operates zoos, but we also manage nature reserves. I look after two of them: Primley and Clennon. Primley is what remains of the old garden and parkland that surrounded Primley House, the former estate of the Whitley family and residence of the zoo’s founder, Herbert Whitley. In 1995, the first warden was brought in to transform it into a local nature reserve and public open space. It’s been a popular spot for locals ever since. Clennon serves a slightly different purpose. For the most part, there is no public access. This allows us to safeguard the habitat from disturbances caused by human presence. However, Paignton Zoo’s Nature Trail, which zoo visitors can access, offers the public the opportunity to experience a small corner of this reserve, including our traditionally managed coppice woodland. Both reserves play their part in supporting local ecosystems while offering people genuinely rewarding places to connect with nature.
What are you hoping to achieve with the installation of our habitat boxes across your three nature reserves?
These sites already have considerable natural assets – caves, some magnificent veteran trees, and areas we deliberately leave undisturbed. The habitat boxes should provide those additional ecological niches that might otherwise be absent. It’s about creating opportunities for species that need very specific conditions for nesting or shelter. Every habitat has its gaps, and these installations should help fill some of those spaces. We’re curious to see what takes up residence and how it might shift the balance of wildlife we’re already supporting.
A large part of the work that Wild Planet Trust does is focused on educating the next generation on the natural world. Why do you think this is so important?
While education isn’t really my area – I’m more focused on the practical side of habitat management – I can see how these reserves function as living demonstrations of what healthy ecosystems actually look like. When families explore the Nature Trail at Clennon or spend time wandering Primley’s varied landscapes, they’re experiencing woodland, meadow, and wetland habitats firsthand rather than just reading about them. There’s something valuable in that direct encounter with nature that you simply can’t replicate in a classroom. People need to feel that connection before they truly understand why conservation matters.
What conservation challenges have you faced over the past few years?
Ash Dieback has been particularly challenging – it’s an ongoing process of assessment, removal, and replanting that’s fundamentally altered the character of our woodlands. You’re constantly weighing safety against habitat value and planning for a very different canopy structure than what was there before. Then there’s the perpetual balancing act between maintaining public access and protecting sensitive habitats – you want people to engage with these places without compromising their ecological integrity. But we’re increasingly seeing the impact from climate change too, which adds another layer of complexity. From gradual shifts in species behaviour and plant communities, to the sudden loss of our 230-year-old Lucombe oak in Primley during Storm Kathleen last year – we’re continuously having to adapt our management approaches while working within realistic resource constraints. All of this means being strategic about where you can make the most meaningful impact.
Halting species decline and preserving vital ecosystems is a key aspect of the work you do. Do you have a favourite success story that you can share with us?
The transformation of Primley’s meadowland over the past three decades is probably our most satisfying long-term achievement. It’s been a simple but persistent approach – removing the annual hay crop to gradually reduce soil fertility and allow a more diverse plant community to establish. What was once a rather monotonous sward dominated by aggressive grasses has evolved into diverse wildflower meadow. The change has been incremental but vital for native biodiversity, supporting insects, birds, and small mammals. It’s a perfect example of how patient, consistent management can restore ecosystems, even if the results take decades to fully appreciate.
Finally, are you working on any other conservation projects at the moment that we can hear about?
Maintaining what we have certainly keeps us occupied, but we’re also developing some thoughtful enhancement projects. We’re planning watercourse improvements across both sites – installing leaky dams and other features that should improve flood resilience while creating diverse wetland habitats. The Ash Dieback situation, while challenging, has also created opportunities to diversify our woodland structure with more resilient native species. We’re thinking carefully about connectivity too – how these reserves can better serve as stepping stones in the broader landscape for wildlife movement. It’s about working pragmatically with the challenges we face while looking for those opportunities to genuinely improve what we can offer.
“Make Ecocide An International Crime Now” sign on the tarmac at a rally against climate change – Ivan Radic,Flickr
Progress towards the recognition of ecocide as an international crime
A motion (motion 061), supported by the Wildlife trusts among other environmental groups, invites IUCN members to support the recognition of ecocide as an international crime. Supporters, including wildlife trusts CEO Craig Bennett, argue that recognition would ensure that no actor can cause severe, widespread or long-term harm to nature without facing criminal consequences. Proponents have argued for decades (including a notable 10-year campaign led by barrister and green ambassador Polly Higgins) that international recognition of ecocide as a crime is essential if we are to collectively mitigate global environmental crises and protect nature. The motion will be considered at the next IUCN World Conservation Congress, set to take place in Abu Dhabi, UAE, in October.
Restrictions on the use of lead ammunition in Britain
Almost all shotgun pellets and bullets containing lead are to be banned in the UK under restrictions which will be phased in between 2025- 2028. The persistence of the usage of lead in shooting has led to the death of an estimated 100,000 waterfowl each year, alongside countless other grit-eating birds, raptors and scavengers. The new restrictions have been welcomed by environmental groups and are consequent to a decades long campaign. The story up to this point was covered in British Wildlife Volume 36.4.
Image from Gulf Oil Spill Bird Treatment in Louisiana provided by International Bird Rescue Research Center. Photo by Brian Epstein via IBRRC, Flickr
The global impact of chronic oiling
The Guardian and Watershed Investigations have revealed damning statistics which underly a lack of understanding of the extent of oil spills in global seas. Extensive research, through the analysis of hundreds of thousands of satellite images over a five-year period shows that only 474 of more than 90,000 oil slicks from ships were reported to authorities between 2014 and 2019. The figures suggest that the extent of anthropogenic oil pollution has been grossly underestimated.
Lost jellyfish rediscovered
A species of stalked jellyfish, Depastrum cyathiforme, that had not been seen anywhere globally for more than 40 years and had never captured on camera has reemerged in the Outer Hebrides.
Naturalist, Neil Roberts, took the first photographs of the thistle shaped jellyfish in 2023. Its rediscovery, revealed by British Wildlife magazine, has been confirmed by a follow-up search that successfully located another individual. Marine naturalists have called for further exploration to establish whether populations exist outside of South Uist, around wider Britain and mainland Europe.
As a self-taught nature illustrator, Ferne Glannan-MacRae brings the intricacies of British species to life using Procreate on iPad. Her designs are inspired by a love for the environment and, in particular, British wildlife.
