Fungal Foray 2009

Exciting visit – life in the undergrowth 

Over 20 members, their friends and families (including children and grandchildren) met at Golden Acre Park, Leeds, on a beautiful sunny Sunday morning on 20^th September to forage for fungi. A number of incidents transpired for and against the event. 

The weather had been very dry for many weeks previously and very few fungi were fruiting. Also the expedition’s fungal expert Anne Bowers of the Mid-Yorkshire Fungus Group, was waylaid by going to the wrong gathering point and being reassured by two members (unlike the 20 others) that this was the correct one. Everyone had received directions. Because of the delay, the main party visited Adel Dam Nature Reserve to forage. This was set up fairly recently and it is managed by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (see http://www.ywt.org.uk/nature_reserves.php?id=2). The Reserve is attached to Golden Acre and proved to be an eye-opener for many – even those that lived locally. 

This turned out to be a shrewd move. The Reserve which included wetland, allowed us to see many animals including kingfishers and a heron fishing, and also a fox as well as more wildlife and plenty of different species of birds.  After finding the fungal leader she was able to identify over 50 interesting types of fungi that members and friends had found.

A good outing for mixing and meeting others. 

Cliff Beddows