Highwoods Fungi Foray

Wild mushrooms seem thin on the ground at the moment, but the lack of chanterelles and shaggy inkcaps did not discourage anyone at the Fungi Foray at Highwoods on Saturday morning.

Leader Eric Stanley explained that too little rain - in his view for 25 years - has caused the mushroom supply to dwindle in Highwoods because conditions are simply too dry. He also felt it was still early in the season, and that Fungi Forays on October 27 and November 10 might be more productive.

Nevertheless Eric did find a number of mushrooms and toadstools of interest to his companions, such as Russula Emetica, Amethyst Deceiver, and False Death Cap.

One of the group was Maurice Elwood of Little Common, a member of Highwoods Preservation Society, who said: "I come up here with working parties to help maintain the woods. It is a wild life habitat that we help to maintain, and we can see the chances and help the changes go in the direction which helps the woods remain as it always has been."

John Heasman was another regular who commented: "I have been coming for several years, and we gather wild funghi - just a few. It isn't bad, and it is a nice day, but it hasn't been wet enough yet - it might be better at the next Foray in three weeks time when there should be more of a wide variety."

The Fungi Forays begin at 10.30 at the car park and generally last an hour and a half. Everyone is welcome and it is recommended to bring a field guide and a small magnifying glass, plus wellies if the weather is wet.