Autumn Nature Day and Fungus Walk, Dyrham Park, October 23 2016

After a cold, misty start, the day became gradually clearer and brighter, but with an increasing breeze. Marion and I arrived at 9 am and were driven down to the Old Lodge by Beth Weston, to set up our Bath Nats display. As in previous years, we brought a large display of fungi (over 50 species) and Bryophytes (around 30 species). On this occasion we also brought a display of Fruits, Nuts and Galls.

John Garrett, who arrived at around 10 am to help (thank you, John!), was pleased to find that he could readily identify all of these both in Latin and English, on account of the labels we had attached to them.

We welcomed many visitors to the display, most of whom seemed duly impressed by the variety of what was on show. At 2 pm I was due to lead a 1.5 hour Fungus Walk around the Park. What must have been around 60 people turned up, making me feel a bit like the Pied Piper as I led them all off into the Valley where a fairy ring of Parasol Mushrooms (Macrolepiota procera) at different stages of development from ‘drumstick’ to fully expanded awaited our attention. Then it was off for a further walk through the woodlands and wood pasture. Although fungi were a little few and far between, due to the relatively dry conditions, there were still sufficient for me to explain the basic principles of fungal ecology and identification.

Amongst those we came across were Deer Shield, Stubble Rosegill, Rooting Shank, Lawyer’s Wig, Weeping Widow, Beech Woodwart, Beech Tarcrust, Clouded Funnel, Turkeytail, Smoky Bracket, Shaggy Scalycap, Velvet Shank and some huge Southern Brackets.