A to Bee Ecology

03/11/2026

Mushroom of the Week: Shaggy Parasol

One of autumn’s more impressive fungi, the shaggy parasol is a substantial, handsome mushroom found in woodland, parks, gardens and shady places. Often growing in groups or rings, its cream cap breaks into shaggy brown scales, while the flesh bruises reddish or orange when handled.

Its scientific name, rhacodes, comes from the Greek rhakos, meaning a rag or piece of cloth. Not the most glamorous etymology, perhaps, but rather fitting.

Ecology: A saprotroph, the shaggy parasol helps break down leaf litter and woody debris, returning nutrients to the soil and playing its part in woodland ecosystems.

Culinary: It is regarded as edible when correctly identified and thoroughly cooked, but can cause gastric upsets in some people. There are also dangerous lookalikes, including some small, highly toxic Lepiota species, and the similar Chlorophyllum brunneum.

Identification is essential. Don't munch on a hunch.

Folklore: Like other fungi that grow in circles, shaggy parasols can bring fairy folklore to mind. Fairy rings were traditionally thought to mark places where fairies or elves gathered to dance. Entering one was generally considered unwise. You might find yourself spirited away to the Otherworld, or return home to discover that years had passed while you were away.

03/11/2026

This Saturday. Join us

Woodland Skills Share Club

Fancy spending a bit more time outdoors, learning practical skills and connecting with nature, without any pressure to perform?

The Woodland Skills Share Club offers relaxed, small-group sessions in local woodland near Hartfield.

We'll explore simple, seasonal woodland skills at a gentle pace, with time to slow down, notice what's changing around us, enjoy a hot drink and have a chat.

These sessions are about more than learning skills. They're an opportunity to build confidence, find a bit of routine, get some fresh air and enjoy being outdoors in a friendly, supportive setting.

What to expect:
-Small, friendly groups
-Practical, seasonal woodland skills
-Hot drinks included
-A gentle pace, with breaks
-All activities optional
-Sessions run in most weather

No previous experience needed, and no pressure to get everything right. Just come as you are.

£10 per session. Children come free.

Our next session is on Saturday 7 November, with sessions running fortnightly until Christmas. Dates for 2027 will be announced soon.

Sessions last around four hours and take place in woodland near Hartfield.

Interested? Find out more and book here (or link in bio:
ko-fi.com/s/7e50bb465c

31/10/2026

Halloween is here, so let’s look at the tangled history of this strange seasonal celebration.

Halloween comes from All Hallows’ Eve, the night before All Saints’ Day. But its traditions are also associated with Samhain, the Gaelic festival marking the end of harvest and the transition into winter.

This was a liminal time, when the boundary between the living and the Otherworld was thought to grow thinner. Spirits might wander, bonfires were lit, and disguises helped people navigate a night when the ordinary rules seemed less certain.

Souls and trick-or-treating
Medieval souling involved visiting houses for food, including soul cakes, in exchange for prayers for the dead. Scottish and Irish guising saw people dress up, perform songs or jokes, and receive food or money. Sound familiar?

Jack-o’-lanterns
Before pumpkins took over, people in Ireland and parts of Britain carved turnips into lanterns. These became associated with wandering spirits and the tale of Stingy Jack, condemned to roam with a light after being refused entry to both heaven and hell.

A night on the threshold
What interests me most about Halloween is its relationship with the changing landscape. The harvest is over, the nights are drawing in, and familiar woods begin to feel different. Things we barely notice in summer suddenly take on a life of their own.

Whether you approach Halloween through folklore, history, ecology or a healthy appreciation of a good ghost story, it reminds us that our relationship with the natural world has never been purely practical.

And yes that is a photo of me without a beard.

30/10/2026

Think you can identify a tree without its leaves?

Winter is a brilliant time to get to know our trees. Once the leaves have fallen, there's a whole different set of clues to look for, from bark and buds to twigs and silhouettes.

Join me for a relaxed winter woodland walk exploring how to identify our native trees, alongside the fascinating folklore, mythology and traditional uses associated with them.

We'll be looking at the natural history of our trees, the ways people have used them over the centuries, and some of the curious stories and beliefs that have grown around them.

Part natural history, part folklore and a good excuse to get outside.

Sunday 22 November, 10.30am
Yoghurt Rooms, East Grinstead
£20 per person. Children go free.

No previous knowledge needed. Just bring suitable footwear and wrap up warm.

Booking link: ko-fi.com/s/ed3351deb4, or link in bio.

27/10/2026

There are mushrooms, and then there’s fly agaric. The classic red cap, white spots and fairy-tale appearance. Think Toad from Mario Kart.

Native to Britain, it grows beneath trees such as birch, pine and spruce, forming a mutually beneficial relationship with their roots. What you see above ground is only a fraction of the story.

But fly agaric has a few other claims to fame.

Shamanic journeys: Some peoples of Siberia and northern Asia have used fly agaric in ritual contexts for centuries, taking advantage of its powerful mind-altering effects.

Viking berserkers: Did Norse warriors eat it to unleash their battle fury? It’s a popular theory, but there’s no convincing historical evidence to support it. Sorry, Vikings.

Father Christmas: The mushroom’s red and white colours, northern forest connections and associations with reindeer have inspired theories linking it to Santa’s mythology. Fascinating, perhaps, but the evidence for a direct connection is thin.

Fly agaric is poisonous and its effects can be unpredictable. Admire it, photograph it and leave it where it grows.

I tried it once, and it went through me like a road.

As ever, do not munch on a hunch.

26/10/2026

Planning a build or extension for 2027? Don't let an avoidable ecology issue hold up your plans.

Winter is a good time to get your ecology sorted before the spring survey season arrives. A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) involves a site visit and desk study to establish what wildlife and habitats are present, and whether they might affect your plans.

Getting it sorted early makes sense for a few reasons. Some follow-up surveys can only be carried out at certain times of year, so discovering in May that you need one could mean months of waiting. A PEA also flags potential issues while changes to your plans are generally cheaper and easier to make, rather than once everything is underway.

Ecological evidence is often needed for planning applications, and missing information can cause delays. A clear appraisal gives you, your architect and your planning officer a better idea of what's involved from the outset.

A PEA tells you what's there, whether further surveys are needed, and how to avoid or reduce impacts on wildlife. Sometimes the conclusion is that there's very little to worry about. That's useful to know too.

I'm an ecologist with ten years of experience, offering ecological appraisals and consultancy across Sussex, Surrey and Kent. If you've got a project in mind for 2027, get in touch for a chat.

25/10/2026

It’s been a strange year for mushrooms, so I’ve added an extra date for anyone who fancies getting out into the woods and seeing what we can find.

Join me at Busses Farm for a relaxed, hands-on mushroom walk exploring the wonderful world of fungi, from the edible to the downright peculiar.

We’ll look at how to recognise common edible mushrooms and what to leave well alone, what to look for when identifying fungi, and the folklore, superstition and history surrounding mushrooms. We’ll also explore their traditional uses, from the kitchen to the dye pot.

No experience needed. Whether you’re a complete beginner or already know your penny buns from your deceivers, there’ll be plenty to discover.

It’s a chance to get some fresh air, learn something useful and see the woods a little differently. You never quite know what we might find.

Sunday 1 November, 10:30am
Busses Farm, East Grinstead
£20 per person (children go free).

Book your place here: https://ko-fi.com/s/5b35fe9fe8

Come and see what the woods have to offer.

More about me and my work via the link in bio.

23/10/2026

Woodland Skills Share Club

Fancy spending a bit more time outdoors, learning practical skills and connecting with nature, without any pressure to perform?

The Woodland Skills Share Club offers relaxed, small-group sessions in local woodland near Hartfield.

We'll explore simple, seasonal woodland skills at a gentle pace, with time to slow down, notice what's changing around us, enjoy a hot drink and have a chat.

These sessions are about more than learning skills. They're an opportunity to build confidence, find a bit of routine, get some fresh air and enjoy being outdoors in a friendly, supportive setting.

What to expect:
-Small, friendly groups
-Practical, seasonal woodland skills
-Hot drinks included
-A gentle pace, with breaks
-All activities optional
-Sessions run in most weather

No previous experience needed, and no pressure to get everything right. Just come as you are.

£10 per session. Children come free.

Our next session is on Saturday 7 November, with sessions running fortnightly until Christmas. Dates for 2027 will be announced soon.

Sessions last around four hours and take place in woodland near Hartfield.

Interested? Find out more and book here (or link in bio:
ko-fi.com/s/7e50bb465c

23/10/2026

The weather is looking okay for Sunday so why not join us!

Fancy a morning poking about in the woods looking for mushrooms?

Mushroom season is underway, and Sunday 25th October is your chance to get out there and discover what’s growing.

Join me at Busses Farm for a relaxed, hands-on mushroom walk exploring the wonderful world of fungi, from the edible to the downright peculiar.

We’ll cover:

- How to recognise common edible mushrooms and what to leave well alone
- What to look for when identifying fungi
- The folklore, superstition and history surrounding mushrooms
- Traditional uses, from the kitchen to the dye pot

No experience needed. Whether you’re a complete beginner or already know your penny buns from your deceivers, there’ll be plenty to discover.

It’s a chance to get some fresh air, learn something useful and see the woods a little differently.

Sunday 25th October, 10:30am
Busses Farm, East Grinstead
£20 per person (kids free)

Book your place here: https://ko-fi.com/s/5b35fe9fe8

Come and see what the woods have to offer.

22/10/2026

Folklore Thursday!

Happy St. Crispin’s Day! While St. Crispin (25th October) is historically the feast day for shoemakers and cobblers, famous for guild feasts, parades, and giant shoes, as well as King Henry’s famous St. Crispin's Day speech in Shakespeare's play, it is also a major traditional weather marker.

Old lore says that if frost silvered the stones by Crispin's day, winter was officially getting its boots on. It marks that sudden shift where autumn stops feeling golden and starts getting serious.

Heading into the woods this weekend? Keep an eye on the temperature, because the mushrooms are still popping, but the late-autumn chill is here to stay.