Need 'I spy' book or something like it. To spot creatures on woodland walks.

[Starbear]

I love country walks and we were out this weekend & spotted mushrooms, orange spongy shiny things growing on wood and various insects. But I can't identify any of them.
Today we were about to cut the grass and spotted more mushrooms still don't know their names after spending half hour on the Internet. Also saw a lovely frog I now think its a Common frog. Whats the best nature book to carry around while walking with kids?

[notanidea]

There are flash cards at borders(may br there will be at other stores) with pictures of common plants/birds with the brief description of the species at the back.

[ramonaquimby]

usborne books do lots of flash cards for nature (we have the sea/beach ones. i think they do a woodlands one - hang on will look fo rlink

[fortyplus]

We have this one: www.amazon.co.uk/Collins-Complete-British-Wildlife-Photographic/dp/0002200716?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21 and its not infallible (especially on fungi) but very good

[RustyBear]

Usborne spotter's Guides were always my favourites when my two were little - I don't know if the new editions are as good as the old ones though.

I have this one which is very good if you want to look up stuff when you get home, but it's not really pocket-sized to take on walks.

[RustyBear]

x-post fortyplus!

[Starbear]

Thank you, urban wildlife might just be the tickets as well as the various Collins books. At the moment I'm driving myself nuts trying to Id an orange,beady,shiny thing we saw yesterday growing on some dead wood. I might have to take a trip to Kew gardens just to get it out of my system. I think the flash cards might also drive me potty as I'll drop them! Thank you for the replies.

[RustyBear]

Was it Coral spot fungus?

[Starbear]

No thanks for trying. It was a group of 4-5 close together beads that looked like berries butattached to the dead wood not to a plant or branch? I see if I can post on my profile

[Starbear]

I've loaded a photo but it's not to good.
Would love to know the answer.

[fortyplus]

Looks like coral spot fungus to me!

[fortyplus]

Unless it could be jelly fungus? classes.plantpath.wsu.edu/plp521/images/dacrymyces.jpg

[Starbear]

Close but not jellylike in appearance, more berry like skin. Close almost square cells really. The winner will be posted some chocs.

[aWitchForLifeNotJustHalloween]

we use spotters guides like Rusty says.

But imho it looks like you actually need to take fortyplus on your walks, even though she probably wouldn't fit in your pocket

[Starbear]

Witch great idea. Hey!Fortyplus have you got some boots?

[fortyplus]

Boots I have - but no... I wouldn't fit in your pocket!

[Starbear]

shame. Thanks for trying. I'm going to get the books