Hygrophoraceae

Guided by Dr Griffith's findings, the Leasowes team went on to identify three more waxcap species.

Shaun sent a sample to fungi experts, known as mycologists, based at London's Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, who have been monitoring the waxcaps' whereabouts through its Lost and Found Fungi project.

Ted Thurgood, of the Residents Action Group (RAG) which has been fighting the proposals, said Western Power Distribution was fencing off the Lisvane Reservoir area so it could show the CCW it was committed to protecting the rare waxcap mushrooms on the site.

"These wild and wonderful waxcaps are highly sensitive to ploughing and fertilisers, so they need urgent care and protection.

Download a waxcap and rare fungus spotter, read the survey report and find out about how to contribute to the project going forward, via the National Park website at northumberlandnationalpark.

A NEW mushroom species previously unknown to science has been discovered in Snowdonia, prompting researchers to call for action to protect Wales' "internationally significant" waxcap grasslands.

"Despite the unfavourable hot weather experienced earlier this year, a wide range of fungi were recorded, including some of the grassland 'indicator species', such as snowy, meadow and parrot waxcaps.

Most of the showiest toadstools belong to a group known as waxcaps, which are fungi of unimproved grassland often rich in moss and grazed by livestock.

The site became an SSSI because of the rich assemblage of grassland fungi including waxcaps.

They say that Carmarthenshire is one of the best places in Britain to find a group of wild fungi known as waxcaps, fairy clubs, spindles and earth-tongues.

'Our findings show it to be a site of international importance and would be among the most important sites for waxcaps in any European country.'

The Countryside Council for Wales is anxious to preserve local colonies of waxcaps, earth tongues and fairy clubs.

The waxcaps are indicators of an ancient landscape untouched by plough or fertilizer and can be recognised by their array of bright colours of red, pink, white, orange, yellow and green waxy topped caps.

The wet summer and warm September was also good for fungi, particularly waxcaps and there are a reasonable amount of winter berries, although sloes are scarce because the trees tried to flower during the cold, snowy weather in March and April.