What to record in August - fly agaric toadstools

Fly agaric are the bright red toadstools with white warts, commonly featured in children's story books. 

In 2016, 114 records were submitted across the UK. Can you help add more records to the map this year? 

When should I start looking?

Fly agaric fruiting bodies (toadstools) start to appear above ground in late summer. It's likely you'll see them from early August to early November, according to the last 10 years of Nature's Calendar records.

Where can I see fly agaric toadstools?

Woodlands are a good place to look for fly agaric toadstools. Often they grow near birch trees. You might spot a single toadstool growing on its own, or a group growing together.

Recording fly agaric for Nature's Calendar

1. Do you remember seeing any fly agaric toadstools last year? If you do, visit that location regularly (once a week) over the coming months.
2. Record the date that you first see a fly agaric fruiting body appear this year.
3. You can take a photo to add to your record. 

Just right to record

Record the date when the fruiting bodies have appeared above the ground and have developed enough for you to identify them as fly agaric toadstools.

Too late to record

If you notice any of the following signs, the toadstool is likely to have been up for a while and should not be recorded:

• The vivid red colour of the toadstool has faded
• The white warts have been washed off by rain
• The toadstool has become flat topped
• The toadstool has ragged edges

Fly agaric desktop wallpaper

Use our fly agaric desktop wallpaper during August to remind you what to look out for.