FORAY REPORT , HOWICK HALL , SUNDAY 19th AUGUST (by Mike C)

[John]

8 members joined Sally on a foray around the grounds of Howick Hall . The recent spell of wet weather had brought rewards as we wended our way through the many garden paths .

An extra large Rooting Shank ( Xerula radicata ) , Giant Polypore (Meripilus giganteus ) and lots of Agrocybe rivulosa on wood chippings led to a variety of lactarius , russula , boletus and amanita species . Several earthballs were excavated , a colourful group of Hare’s Ear sprung up before the deadly Death Cap ( Amanita phalloides ) put in an appearance and in keeping with the setting Ron found a Prince ( Agaricus augustus ) .

Several of us retired to the Earl Grey Tearooms and had a pot of delicious Earl Grey tea in its true home , whilst outside the window goldfinches and a nuthatch greedily fed on the bird feeders there . Eventually we rejoined those sorting and determining the fungi found .

Finally , a few of us visited the exhibition on the history of the Hall and its wonderful gardens with plant collections from around the world , an excellent place to visit.

Mike

[John]

[Author]

Posts