Chris Knowles tells us about his mycology placement with the RSPB

The RSPB has been providing ‘Nature Counts’ placements for the last two years. These Heritage lottery funded apprenticeships are designed to help fill some recognised skill and knowledge gaps in species identification and conservation.

Under the title ‘Trainee ecologist’, past apprentices have specialised in Lichens, Beetles, Flies, Mosses (and more)... but this year I have been lucky enough to join the program and am the first to be focussing on fungi.

Since starting in April 2013 on this 9 month long adventure I have been trying to improve my field and microscopy skills – which due to the untimely start date has meant that I have been practicing them on a lot more tiny ascomycetes and corticioids than I would have otherwise intended. However ‘the season’ will soon enough be upon us and so I only hope I can get up to speed on the Agarics and their other autumnal cousins in time.

So if you happen to meet me out and about – (I am usually to be found crouched down over a fruitful twig on one of the Scottish RSPB reserves – or on a foray with the Fungus Group of South-East Scotland) – please come and say hello, I’m going to need all the help I can get...

Chris Knowles