7th November 2011 - END OF SEASON ROUND UP

It is that time of year again and we only just made it before the frosts came.

19 Fungal Forays were led by my Fungalised self with an average of 18.5 people per walk in attendance and with 59.5 species per walk identified. All lists are in the Fungal Friends section of the site. Sincere thanks to all those who came and supported the walks especially a faithful few who attended several forays and made for a grand day out - your company didn't go un-noticed or unappreciated - ta!

Highlights of the year in general are many with Geastrum striatum, the superb specimens of Lycoperdon utriforme, Volvariella pusilla, Hericeum cirrhatum at Etherow CP and catching up with more micro fungi such as Hymenoscyphus herbarum, Calyptella capula, Dasyscyphus sulphureus, Catinella olivacea as well as the rusts Puccinia chaerophylli, Trachyspora intrusa, Puccinia galii-verni and Phragmidium sanguisorbae, Puccinia arenariae and Puccinia magnusiana. In truth too many good species have been seen and I could go on all day about this, that and as you may guess, t'other!

Next year is already booked up and from here on I will be only doing 8 to 10 Fungal Forays a year so I can spend more time with the family and do a bit of mooching so as to improve my own knowledge and hopefully increase the quality of the days out. The first booking has already been made for 2013 so that only leaves 9 possible dates - miss out at your peril. If you do miss out though and have been a regular location you will get first choice at 2014.

Right lets keep it brief - that's it, keep mooching and most importantly get recording, get encouraging others and enjoy the free annual treasure hunts provided by Mother Nature - it's good for ya noggin tha' knows!

2nd November 2011 - Some piccies from this season

3 piccies of yours truly cosidering the fungal growths and at the bottom a picture of some fungi found at Marbury Country Park. Thank you to Sally Orrit and Judith respectively.

...

A tale or two to tell and this time with green wellies on

Oh sod it - if ya keep bringing me fungi I may as well sit down and wait

A few from a foray at Marbury - what a fascinating subject

4th October 2011 - A Tale from Coombes

The following tale was taken from the RSPB site regarding a walk there recently. It was penned by Fiona M:-

'Yesterday saw the return of the legend that is Fungalpunk Dave and his hard working wife. Dave is a master at fungal identification and a very entertaining tour guide to boot! The event was very well attended, thank you to everyone that came along, and hopefully you all enjoyed it as much as we did. 80 species of fungi were found in total, including the fire-milk (Lactarius pyrogalus) which only grows near Hazel, and it's milk has a spicy hot taste, as our willing volunteers found out. We were all advised not to eat any of the fungi as the colour variations and appearance at different stages can be very deceptive, making it hard to determine exactly what you are eating. Dave advised to buy your mushrooms from a shop and not risk it. The popular red and white Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) was also spotted. The amantia fungi grow in bags underground and burst out leaving the little white bits on the cap that you can see. Fly Agaric was traditionally used to kill flies, it was broken up with milk or sprinkled with sugar. It is still used for this purpose in parts of Europe today. Another easily identifiable one found on the day was the Stinkhorn (Phallus impudicus), which as the name suggests can be smelt from some distance away. It's mysterious appearance led to it being thought of as witches eggs or devil's eggs in the past. Turkeytail (Trametes versicolor) is a common one in woodlands and looks a bit like the shape of a turkey's tail! Many Birch Polypores (Piptoporus betulinus) were seen around the reserve, I think they resemble cappucino's with their white underneaths and cocoa sprinkled tops. They are also known as Razor Strop Fungus, as when dried they were traditionally used to sharpen razor's. The aptly named Dead Man's Fingers fungi (Xylaria polymorpha) was found on a log pile near the pond, the name is quite obvious when you see it as it looks like a black finger. Another unusual name was a type of slime mould (Myxomycota), called Dog's Vomit that was found on the grass near our willow weevil sculpture. Slime mould is not thought to be a fungus at all, but a protista and is said to take on an almost animal like form and move around! However, I think the best name of the day had to go to the unusually named puffball, the Wolf-Fart (Lycoperdon pyriforme). If you have ever accidentally trodden on a puffball you will understand where the name may have come from!

For the full species list found on the fungal hunt yesterday please got to Dave's excellent website: www.fungalpunknature.co.uk/CFG/Sightings11.html . I have included a few photos from the day beneath, but nothing quite captures the smells, sounds and textures as well as actually getting out on the reserve yourself and discovering nature first hand. It's not too late to get out and see these amazing organisms for yourself, as we found yesterday there is still plenty to see'.

For a few picccies click here to have a peek.

18th September 2011 - Cancellation

The walk this Saturday on the 24th of September has been cancelled. No communication doesn't help and the fact that I find out the event hasn't been publicised has forced me to make the decision that the whole thing would be a waste of time anyway. A shame and once more it seems as though cut-backs have been a deciding factor and staff have been moved around and the head doesn't know what it is doing from the arse. I have turned down a few bookings this year due to being booked up - bah! Apologies to anyone looking forward to this event - onwards we go!

14th September 2011 - New book

Thanks to Ivy Press for a free 'The Book of Fungi' and inclusion of one of my pictures. It is a lovely book compiled by Peter Roberts and Shelley Evans and is worth picking up. With 600 species from around the world it highlights the diversity out in the natural world and the many shapes and forms that please us fungal fanatics.

2nd September 2011 - Cancellation

The walk this Sunday on the 4th of September has been cancelled. Due to cut-backs and various other shufflings communication was lost and I only found out late on in the day that the walk is no longer going ahead. Apologies. As always its good to see the government cutting back in areas that matter instead of getting things right - scum of the earth hey!

3rd May 2011 - Fruiting early

Are fungi fruiting earlier and keeping in trend with other organisms in Britain that are reacting to global warming? Mark Huntley today sent me a picture of Stinkhorn eggs at Nunsmere Hall and it got me wondering what are the earliest fruiting dates for several species? If you spot anything that seems to be fruiting way out of season then let me know! Will these Stinkorn eggs produced the phallic symbol soon or will they hang on for a few more weeks yet - watch this space!

24th March 2011 - Feedback/Review

Found this on a review website regarding a foray at Rostherne House last year:-

'I live in North Manchester and was looking for a day out in Cheshire. I came across Rostherne House on the web and discovered that they organise a variety of activities of the 'soothing the soul' variety. My choice was a 'fungal foray' and turned up to find a group of like minded people, welcomed by Katie and led by 'Fungalpunk Dave' a real character with an in depth knowledge of mushrooms amongst other things.

So off we went and had found over 10 different varieties before we left the grounds of the hotel. We ended up in Tatton Park (just down the road). We ended up discovering over 50 different types of mushrooms and with eyes opened a bit more regarding the lovely Cheshire countryside.

We returned to a cup of tea and some cake and an hour or so of discussing our finds and eventually left with a 'well I really enjoyed that' kind of feeling and I understand Katie organises other events as well. So I will be looking to visit again. What a wonderful day'.

15th January 2011 - Bolton Field Naturalists Society

After doing a lecture for the fine folk of this struggling society the following feedback was given via their admirable newsletter.

'I have to admit that, knowing very little about fungi, I did wonder what I was letting myself in for on my way to October's meeting. I need not have worried; Dave Higginson-Tranter was such an enthusiast about his subject that you could not help but enjoy it. Did you know, for instance, that if there were no fungi a multiude of life could not exist? For below ground fungi feed off the dying and give to the living. The fungi we see above ground are just the fruit of these amazing structures.

For those of you with internet access I highly recommend his website - www.fungalpunknature.co.uk. Click on wildlife (or punk rock if you prefer). Not only does he illustrate and explain fungi, he also looks at other topics such as butterflies, insects and wildflowers.

Dave put a lot of hard work into his lecture and I am sure that everyone who attended learnt a great deal. His illustrations were superb and after the lecture many people took advantage of seeing an array of specimens first hand. Well done, Dave'

Linda Almond

Thank you to Linda and everyone at Bolton Field Nat's for their kind support and hopefully will be back there soon with another lecture. It would be grand to see this group grow so if you are in the local area why not contact the ever enthusiastic Joan Wright on 01204 843 265 and join this brilliant society.

8th November 2010 - END OF SEASON ROUND UP

So what a season it has been and a big thank you to all that have made the effort and joined in on one or two of the Fungal Forays. It has been a successful, fruitful season with 430 attendees to the 22 forays I have led. Species wise it has been a very good season with an average of 57 species identified per foray. The highest list of the year was 103 species at Etherow Country Park on the 12th September which was relatively early in the season indicating what a long fruiting stretch we have had.

Highlights have got to be the amazing spread of Fly Agarics at Ainsdale, the profusion of Helvella crispa that have been on show this year and the the multituide of Daldinia fissa at Moore NR. From a personal standpoint the species I have found particularly noteworthy this season are Russula anthrocina, Boletus aereus, Paxillus atrotomentosus, Helvella macrospora, Hygrocybe ovina, Piptoporus quercina, Russula virescens, Porphyrellus porphyrosporus and Encoelia furfuracea. In truth though I do enjoy every species I find especially if it can be named.

Next year is near enough booked up now and so I will be looking to members to attend more regularly and hopefully do a bit of recording. Changes are afoot with group membership so watch this space.

5th November 2010 - Here are some pictures of the Fungal Foray at Nunsmere Hall this year taken by Jane Burkinshaw of www.picture-it-big.co.uk.

So for starters we have...

Deep in thought, pondering the beauty of the fungal world

Mmmm - perhaps a bit more zoom needed

Moving swiftly on we have...

What's all this 'ear' then

Smile please it's group photo time

That's all very well father but I bet you don't know the latin names

Is the specimen so photogenic or where my flies undone - ooh the worry

Eee by heck - its been a grand day

2nd November 2010 - Here's some feedback from the CAN fungal foray at Etherow. Personally I would have liked more species on show but we did OK anyway. These messages were sent to CAN organiser Rachel Hacking.

'Yesterday's CAN event was another stormer, I thought.  I learned more about fungi in 6  hours,  then I have in my whole life' - Robert O Connor

'I was very impressed with Fungalpunk Dave's expertise which made it very interesting despite most species having died off in the frosts.  Excited to see the earthstars - a first for me' - Ralph Atherton

'Just a very short note to say thank-you, for a great day out, from Joan and I' - Selwyn Forster

Very generous and hopefully can do the group more justice with next years foray on the 10th of Sept

Also - CLIP - October 16th saw FoAM joined by Fungalpunk Dave of Fungal Friends for another successful foray. The sessions held in the morning and afternoon attracted more than 50 visitors who were treated to an informative and enjoyable hunt through Marbury.

As soon as they blink this one is over the shoulder

(Taken from the FOAM autumnal newsletter)

22 October 2010 - Another photo from punk pal Tony. This one from the second walk at Marbury on the 16th of October.

16 October 2010 - A couple of photo's sent in by top snapper Ian Turpin. Yes its me again gabbing on about those fruiting bodies!

Yes - this clueless look is genuine

Yep - that's a mushroom alright

14 October 2010 - Feedback again.

Dear Dave
On behalf of Marshall's Arm NR I'd like to send you our grateful thanks for your dogged determination to provide a fascinating, inspirational and informative fungal foray - despite the terrible weather on Oct 3rd.
The info and enthusiasm you provided on the day was passed on to the school children who also enjoyed the delightful fungi that is just on the doorstep.
Many thanks - Pam Lamb

30 September 2010 - More feedback regarding the forays - and to think I didn't even have to pay these people.

' It was WONDERFUL, and an absolutely brilliant leader, good company and a lovely day' - Pat Lockwood

'Thank you for all the arrangements. Super day totally different. Thanks to
the fellow and his wife' - Elizabeth

'How could anyone not be enthusiastic, when the Leader is creme de la creme' - Pat Lockwood

Also a nice blog here from Eco man Jeff Clarke regarding a foray at 'Runcorn Hill'

5 April 2009 - With a wicked winter behind us I am hoping the group can meet up on a monthly basis starting from April onwards. A few of us had a stroll at Etherow during March with little to see but it was good to catch up nonetheless. I will be sending e-mails out as and when the diary sees fit to give us a few hours spare so watch this space. Belated congratulations to Alison Turpin who won the competition set last October. Another one will hopefully be set later in the year with more mushie literature on offer.

26 October 2009 - COMPETITION TIME - Well I feel it is about time to challenge all the members to a bit of fun and give them the chance to refresh the knowledge and win a nice prize in the process. There is only one prize and that is it. Two great fireside books for you to enjoy over the coming winter months to keep that fungal knowledge growing. Simply answer the eight questions below and e-mail to me at fungalpunk@hotmail.co.uk and you could win the following 2 tomes.

1. Lactarius turpis is very much at the brunt of fungal prejudice - oh the poor little mushie. It is one of my faves but what does 'turpis' actually mean?

2. The world of mycena identification has caused me many a sleepless night. A few can be named in the field especially the Milking Bonnet. What is its latin name?

3. The puffball tale I tell on my walks arises from the latin 'Lycoperdon'. What is the meaning of this somewhat vulgar name?

4. The Death Cap is not one to be trifled with but what genus of fungi does it belong to?

5. There are 3 types of British Stinkhorn but can you name them please?

6. If your specimen has a cobweb like veil beneath the cap what family is it more than likely to belong to?

7. What species is pictured below?. I find it quite regularly on my walks and the pores bruise blue when pressed upon.

8. Finally which of these have gills, pores or spines?

a. Amethyst Deceiver

b. Ear Pick Fungus

c. Lumpy Bracket

d. Two Tone Pholiota

e. Penny Bun

There ya go - e-mail me the answers and I will draw out the winning entry on the 1st December 2009. Good luck and go on have a go!

24 October 2009 - Here's a review written for rECOrd after I had led a walk for them. A sincere thank you to Helen for listening sop attentively and taking time to review the day.

Fungalpunk Foray’
Saturday 17th October 2009

The colourful flier for this event encouraged me (and many others) to sign up for another free event this time held in a different part of the beautiful Cheshire countryside. “Meet the legendary Fungalpunk Dave and find out about these curious and ecologically important organisms, including which you should definitely avoid for breakfast!” To a complete novice, the names of the fungi fascinated me: Puffballs, stinkhorns, truffles, black diamonds, oysters – I wondered which we would see!

The minibus left the Zoo at 9.15am and met up with those using their own transport in the car park of the Nunsmere Hall Hotel, Oakmere. CountMeIn staff welcomed us and shared a number of book identification guides and magnifying glasses between us. We were introduced to Fungalpunk Dave and about 40 of us (all ages from 7 upwards) followed him immediately into the extensive grounds of the hotel. It wasn’t long before we came across our first fungi. Dave explained that the main body of a fungus consists of a dense network of mycelium which lies buried underground or in a tree trunk and what you see is just the fruit which is there to help develop the species. To help identify them it is essential to know the type of habitat where you find them – it could be mixed woodland, a specific tree species, glades, grassland, rough unimproved ground, bonfire or hedge. Sometimes, a species cannot be identified in the field, but samples of the spores, which cannot be seen with the naked eye, have to be taken back and studied under a microscope.

Dave warned us not to eat raw wild fungi and never to pick fungi from the side of a road because they pick up the chemicals in the polluted air very easily. He gave us many useful tips even if we thought we had picked “edible”mushrooms. In fact, if in doubt always ask an expert or throw it away! Check each specimen! Don’t eat a lot at one sitting! Cook any you know to be edible properly!!

Within a few metres of the car park he was identifying our first species on a grassy bank. We then moved on into the woodland and discovered many more, some of which we collected in containers for future reference. He showed us a fungus growing from cracks on the bark of a silver birch, which was a parasite and would in time kill that tree, as well as other birches in the vicinity if the tree was not felled and removed. From there, we found a ganoderma 'artists' fungus which grows as a parasite on beech trees, dropping 200,00 spores throughout the day and night!

As we came across each fungi he showed us the main identifiable features such as colour, shape, texture, location, change of colour if pressed, or gives out a milky fluid, or even has a peppery smell – we found them all. We even found honey fungus which glows in the dark and sparks if you hit it with an axe and spreads by black cords resembling shoe laces.

The common names were fascinating and many you could understand the reason for the wonderful names. The experts need the Latin names but I enjoyed names such as: turkey tail, devil’s snuff ball, ugly milk cap, foxy spot, brittle gills, bracket fungus (including blushing braket), candlesnuff fungus and sulphur tuft.

As we walked around the different habitats, we found yet more fungi where there was extra moisture, so near the lake the woodland was teeming with different varieties, some now past their best and less easily identifiable.

By lunch time it was good to see that the hotel building had emerged in front of us, where we were welcomed with a hot cup of tea or coffee to have with our sandwiches as we sat on the terrace. Soon we felt revitalised and off we went again with Dave to explore further afield in the grounds. By 3.30pm we had (or rather he had) identified nearly 50 species and our heads were full of valuable information and triggers to help us identify what we find in the future.

As we gathered together at the end of a terrific day, Dave handed out leaflets, giving us valuable reminders about how to avoid mushroom poisoning, and many tips about using fungi for food. It was a gentle reminder to us, that we were not yet all experts like him!

Thank you everyone – my eyes are open and on the way home, even out of the window, I saw a fungi on a tree on the A54 which I hadn’t noticed in the past. Proof of the value of the day!

Helen Holyoak

24 October 2009 - I have been inundated with photographs from forays recently and here are 4 to be going on with. These are all from the day out with rECOrd on the 17th of this month.

Obviously something of interest on the lawn

Perhaps if I hypnotise the mushie it will tell me its name

Ok we give in - get the books out

The books didn't work so we burnt them but what's that growing on the charred wood

16 October 2009 - 3 more photographs of recent forays kindly sent in by group member Ian Turpin.

I may look puzzled but all along I knew it was only the Larch Bolete, Suillus grevellei - honestly

Some men just have all the luck - bah

It's a finger and it looks dead - so how about Dead Mans Finger everyone

15 October 2009 - A bit of feedback from Moore NR via e-mail and a nice CLIP written by Frances Findlay for the FoAM newsletter regarding the Marbury CP forays. Oh and the piccie at the bottom of the piece was sent by my mate Tony who I usually see at punk gigs here and there. On this occasion he brought his sweet 3 year old daughter along to this mushroom mooch in the hope of finding some bears (that's what he told her anyway). Hope the mushies sufficed mate.

I must thank you for a very interesting and informative day, despite the weather on the mooch around Moore Nature Reserve. Your obvious knowledge and enthusiasm made the event a success and I am glad I made the effort to attend.

I have had a browse of the website and was impressed with what I found, both sides of the site, partial to some punk now and again ( I still have some vinyl somewhere from my youth).

 I hope to attend some of your future events and hope to pick up some knowledge myself.

Ian Meir

* * *

FUNGAL FORAY MARBURY COUNTRY PARK SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER 2009

‘MUSHROOM MOOCHING’

This is the title that FungalpunkDave gave to the two fungal forays at Marbury Country Park, on Saturday 10 October. A remarkably dry September had not encouraged the emergence of much fungi. However Dave’s experience, knowledge and guile helped visitors to find an interesting range in both sessions. The morning foray took place around the Carriage Drive and in Hopyards’s Wood, while the afternoon foray was largely in Big Wood. A visitor typically remarked:

‘I can’t believe that all these fungi are here and we walk past them daily and don’t see them.’

Among the 44 species found on the day were: orange peel, fly agaric, dead man’s fingers, candle snuff, purple jelly, jelly ear, deer fungus, shaggy ink cap, stinkhorn and dog’s stinkhorn as well as the rarer blue legged brownie.

Dave’s enthusiasm, wit and repartee and a fund of lively fungal stories sustained the visitors’ interest throughout the day. He has generously agreed to lead FoAM’s next Fungal Foray on SATURDAY 16 OCTOBER, 2010.

9 October 2009 - A couple of photo's from the FWAG day courtesy of Helen Broughton

Lunchtime break in a nice broadleaf setting

Just to prove that leading forays can cause worry lines

30 September 2009 - A couple of e-mails I received after taking a group around Delamere Forest - nice to get feedback especially the positive kind. One was sent straight to me and the other to Helen Broughton of FWAG who helped arrange the day.

Helen - Thank you for arranging the Fungus walk in Delamere today. Dave is clearly passionate about the subject and is a gifted  teacher imparting his knowledge in a very easy manner which made it very easy to learn. The day was beautifully organised and very well managed. I am very happy for you to pass on this message to the Chester Office.

Thank you again for an interesting and rewarding day.
Best wishes

Pam 

30 March 2009 - After a bit of pottering with the microscope I wondered what would happen if I pointed my daughters camera down the barrel with the lens still in. Tricky but after a few attempts I got the following picture of the spores of Glistening Ink Cap. What do you reckon? Not bad for a pot shot.

A bit more pottering, this time with the asci and spores of Dumontinia tuberosa which resulted in the following two shots.

The first picture shows the oil drops at each end of several spores. The second is a closer shot but the oil drops are barely apparent. Nice to see the spores in the ascus though.

21 December 2008 - CLIP from recent copy of the Friends Of Anderton and Marbury Newsletter

Orange Peel, Jelly Ears and Blushers –
did you know that they are all living in
Marbury and Anderton?

On Saturday 11 October, Fungalpunk Dave of Fungal Friends led two groups
of visitors to find 54 species of fungi in Hopyards and Big Wood. These
included dead man’s fingers, puffballs, stinkhorns, blushers, fly agarics, orange
peel, jelly ears and inkcaps as well as lots of honey fungus. More than sixty visitors enjoyed Dave’s well-informed, lively and good
humoured support to find and identify the fungi. They were also given a great
leaflet - prepared by FoAM - providing general information and photos of
twelve commonly found species.

Fungalpunk Dave giving an introductory talk to those attending the morning session, prior to setting off on their foray.

10 November 2008 - Just been made aware of some comments on Trip Advisor regarding the recent 3 day mushroom weekend at Nunsmere Hall - these are as below and thanks to the providers of these much appreciated remarks. It does indeed make it all worthwhile.

MAGICAL MUSHROOMS

"I've just got back from a fabulous weekend fungi foray at the Nunsmere Hall Hotel. As a beginners guide to the huge variety of fungi that can be found if you know where to look, it was superb. From the moment we arrived to the moment we (reluctantly) left, my friend and I had a fantastic time.

The standards of care and attention to detail were excellent. The hotel staff were without exception friendly and helpful, the food was fantastic, the rooms comfortable and the actual fungi experience was perfectly pitched, enough information to be interesting, but not too academically oriented. The inimitable Fungalpunk Dave and his very knowledgeable wife Gill and daughter Katie provided us with a real experience.

I would heartily recommend this weekend event to anyone who wants to have a wander round some lovely grounds, be entertained and educated and eat wonderful food in beautiful surroundings with some very good company!"

Laprinceshazzy (2 Nov 08)

MUSHROOM HUNTING A MUST

Just wanted to share our fantastic weekend at Nunsmere Hall mushroom hunting last weekend.

We initially were attracted to the hotel from the pictures on the website as it looked like the ideal venue for a romantic getaway for the weekend but when we discovered that there was a mushroom hunting package available we jumped at the chance and I can say it was one of the best experiences we've had in a long time!
-Firstly the hotel is as beautiful as the pictures suggest, long winding drive, scenic grounds to walk in, well appointed rooms and huge comfortable beds.
-The staff are fantastic, attentive and friendly, nothing seems to be too much trouble and you feel well cared for
-The food is superb and being a chef always researching I should know!
I just wanted to thank everyone involved from the staff to the other guests on our hunt especially Mark the general manager and his family for making the weekend such a great experience and our mushroom guide Fungalpunk Dave and his family for giving me a new love of fungus!
If you get the chance to visit the area I strongly recommend a stay at Nunsmere - expensive but worth every penny!!!

Cate A (7 Nov 08)

3 November 2008 - Just completed a lovely fungus weekend at Nunsmere Hall with some cracking company. Cheers to Mark for asking me to lead the walks and for the excellent hospitality. Here's a picture:-

11 October 2008 - CLIP from recent copy of the Northwich Guardian

FIND OUT MORE FUNGAL FACTS ON A WOODLAND TOUR

Fungal fans can get up close and personal in Marbury Park this Saturday, October 11. Friends of Anderton and Marbury (FoAM) are inviting members of the public to join a fungal expert, from Fungal Friends, to explore the woodlands wide range of fungi.

The fungal expert, who goes by the name of Fungalpunk Dave, will be leading two sessions through the woodlands and will be introducing people to the various fungi.

The free event is especially suitable for people without prior knowledge of identifying fungi and families are welcome.

The first session is from 10am till noon followed by a second session from 1pm till 3pm and visitors should meet at the rangers cabin.

For further details call Frances Findlay on 01606 44727 or the rangers on 01606 77741.

8 October 2008 - CLIP - a photo of myself appeared in the Stockport Times whilst leading a foray at Chadkirk Chapel - not a bad photo but who the bloody hell is Fungal Pete. I am trying to get a copy of the pic to post here hopefully with my correct name on - honestly!

24 August 2008 - The microscopy is indeed driving me to despair - aaaaggghhhh - looks like I've bitten off a lot to chew on and my gnashers ache already.

The walks are nearly upon us so I hope you can all do your bit and spread the word and bring some other wildlifing experience to these great days out.

15 August 2008 - Thanks to Micheal Jordan of the ABFG the group now has a microscope to help identify any species that we can't ID in the field. This is a vital asset and hopefully we can set up some workshops during the winter months to get to grips with a few trickier species.

15 June 2008 - Having just sifted through a few photos from mooching about in the Kent area this one stood out for the way in which it shows the impressive size Dryads Saddle can attain.

My daughter Katie adds perspective to the shot.

25 Oct 2007 - Just recieved this photo from the recent Fungi walk at Etherow CP. Thought I had best bung it up as it turned out a real good day.

25 Oct 2007 - A recent visit down to Dorset and Hampshire resulted in some excellent finds. The day out with the Hampshire Fungus Group was very memorable - great people and very welcoming with a veritable mountain of knowledge to share and some great species seen. What more could one ask for? Endless thanks to every member who made us welcome and passed on their ID hints and tips. Check here for the overall sightings.

16 Oct 2007 - Extra walk added at Tatton Park on the 3rd November for members only. Details here.

30 May 2007 - WAXCAP WATCH - For a long time the National Trust has been aware that many of their historic gardens, parklands and countryside properties are important waxcap sites. However, with 300 gardens (or, 'old grasslands', as the conservation unit sees them) in the Trust's care and being the largest private landowner in Britain, we lack the internal resources to survey each potential waxcap site.

So, this autumn we are asking fungi enthusiasts, the general public as well as mycologists to record the waxcaps they see in NT gardens parks and countryside and submit their findings on a special webpage (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/waxcaps). This data will then be used to gain a better understanding of where the waxcap 'hotspots' are which will facilitate more detailed surveys in 2008 by the Trust's
Conservation department.

'Waxcap Watch' will be launched this autumn and we hope to involve a large number of fungi enthusiasts, mycologists, schools, NT members and individuals. It is a fantastic project and has the potential to achieve a lot in terms of raising the profile of the importance of ancient grassland, encouraging an interest in the amazing world of
fungi and helping us gain a better picture of waxcap hotspots around the country.

In order for this project to succeed it is essential that we have the support of local fungus groups around the country. In return, we would like to help promote these groups on our website (as the largest conservation organisation in Europe with 3.6 million members, the NT gets an enormous amount of people visiting the website) as an important part of this project is to promote a wider public interest in fungi, beyond the National Trust.

Fungal Friends are visiting Dunham Massey on 6th October 2007. Check the Days Out list. Hopefully we can fit Tatton Park in too - watch this space.

24 Apr 2007 - Membership is now growing and new dates have been added to the diary. The first day out of next year has been added and is to be held at Marbury CP.

9 January 2007 - Well work is underway with advertising literature and general group organisation. 5 walks are currently arranged with Dunham Massey and Tatton Park hopefully to be added.