Oct 7th 2014
Ahead of the Fungus Day on the following Sunday we scoured the Garden for any sign of Fungi. Although October had broken the drought Fungi take time to respond and, as we found out when we visited Waun Las, they were still very reluctant to put in an appearance. And, as we later discovered, even when they did appear some of them disappeared within a few days. Last year, in the meadow immediately to the left of the sign for Waun Las there had been many fungi, but this year we found only two, and they had disappeared by the Sunday.
Elsewhere along under the Birch trees lining the walk beyond the Double-Walled Garden, there have, at times be lots of the Brown Roll Rim Fungi and also some of the Birch Boletes. Others include the Earth Balls which also appear in the Great Glasshouse, Pleated Inkcaps and lots of the Stroparia Rugossannulata whereever there were wood chips, particularly along the Broad Walk. But the real find, a possible first in Wales by Keith was in a Hornbeam log about which a fungi expert commented ‘The strange pinkish knobbles under bark is, I think, Peniophora laeta and if it is would be first Welsh record. Not many Hornbeam in Wales probably — mainly SE England although one Edinburgh and some North England.
The Fungus Day itself went off every well, despite an absence of Fungi! The weather was good and the speakers excellent, all having come with many samples for us to see. Ray Wood talked for the best part of an hour near the Birch tree by Principality House – if only we could have recorded it. Later in the Theatr Botanica, Peter Phillips gave a splendid presentation and David Mitchell did another walk in the afternoon.
Many thanks as always to John and Peter for their splendid photos. And if any volunteer or member wants to join us please send an email to Jane Down– you DON’T have to be an expert in anything, just interested. If you click on the Wildlife Walks heading on the left-hand side under News you will see a list of the last 10 Wildlife Survey blogs. If you find an injured bird, hedgehog or other wild animal and want help and advice then phone the Gower Bird hospital. on 01792 371630.