The Big Fly Agaric Find

Help find Fly Agarics across every region of the UK in a single day!

Head outside to search for one of our most recognisable fungi on Saturday 10th October. All levels of experience welcome, from those new to fungus identification to experienced fungal recorders.

Together, we hope to create the largest one-day snapshot of Fly Agarics across the UK!

Spotting a Fly Agaric

Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) is well-known for its red cap covered with white spots - but real specimens don't always look exactly like the storybook version!

Look for:

A bright red to orange-red cap
White or cream, irregular spots or patches on the cap
White gills beneath the cap
A white stem with a hanging, skirt-like ring
A swollen or bulbous stem base
Growth on the ground close to trees, especially Birch, Pine or Spruce

Young Fly Agarics may be rounded and partly enclosed by a white veil. As the cap expands, this veil breaks apart to form the familiar white spots. Rain can wash the spots away, while older caps may fade to orange or yellowish red, so don't rely on cap colour alone.

NOTE: Fly Agaric is poisonous to humans and should not be eaten. If you touch the fungus, make sure you wash your hands.

Where to look

The Fly Agaric fungus is native and widespread in the UK. Its fruitbodies (the mushrooms) are most often seen from late summer into autumn, in woodland, heathland, parks, gardens and grassy areas near trees.

The fungus forms underground partnerships with tree roots and is most likely to be found with Birch, Pine and Spruce trees.

Look beneath and around these trees, including along woodland paths and edges.

Fly Agarics might be found in the same area year after year, so previous local records could provide useful clues - but they may not appear in exactly the same place or at the same time each year.

How to take part in The Big Fly Agaric Find

Photo of a small, red Fly Agaric mushroom in grass. Credit: Julie Anne Ballantyne.

On 10 October 2026:

Visit a local woodland, heath, park or other suitable habitat.
Look for Fly Agaric fruitbodies (mushrooms), particularly near Birch, Pine or Spruce trees.
Photograph what you find without picking or damaging it.
Make a note of the number of Fly Agaric fruitbodies visible at that location.
Upload your observation to iNaturalist and add it to The Big Fly Agaric Find project.

Only Fly Agarics observed on 10 October 2026 will be included in the official one-day total. You can still join the project in advance and practise making observations before the event.

If you already have an iNaturalist account, search for the project name "The Big Fly Agaric Find" and join the project, or join here.

If you don’t have an iNaturalist account, you will need to create one first: see the instructions below.

How to create an account on iNaturalist

Go to www.inaturalist.org, or download the free iNaturalist app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android).
Click “Sign Up”. Enter your email address, username, and password. Agree to the terms and click “Create Account”
(Tip: Use a real email address – you’ll need it to reset your password or get updates.)
Set your location settings: Allow location access so your observations can be mapped automatically. On the app, you can also add locations manually if needed.
Adjust your profile (optional): Add a profile picture and short bio if you like. You can change settings for privacy, notifications, and data sharing under your account.

Note: iNaturalist is available to people aged 13 and over. Children aged 12 or younger require permission from a parent or guardian before an account can be created.

You’re now part of the iNaturalist community and will be able to join the project “The Big Fly Agaric Find”.

Start observing! Tap “Observe” (app) or “Upload” (website). Add photos of the fungi that you find. iNaturalist will often suggest possible identifications to help you. Add location, date, and any notes (e.g. type of habitat)
Submit your observations: Tap “Share” (app) or “Submit” (website). Tip: You can do this when you’re out and about if you have a good signal, or later when you’re back at home.

This project is about observing and recording fungi to support fungal conservation and biodiversity awareness. Please do not collect or eat any fungi that you find. Some species may look very similar to one another, and some that appear harmless can be toxic. Identifying fungi with complete certainty sometimes requires microscopic examination or expert knowledge.

The British Mycological Society promotes and supports fungal science. Read our Code of Conduct for the responsible collection of fungi for research and education, and growing fungi at home.

Want to help find other fungi?
Take part in
Find-a-Fungus
2nd-16th October