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Fungi Walk – 16th October 2011 - By Phil Dalton

On 16th October the Friends held a Fungi walk in warm sunshine in Oakley Wood at which approximately 30 people attended.

Conditions were not ideal for the walk as part of the wood was inaccessible due to the thinning operation and where we could go and the recent long warm and dry spell of weather had not been conducive to the growth of fungi.

Nevertheless, with the expert help of Steve Trotter from the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust and John and Val Roberts a very entertaining and educational walk was undertaken. John and Val had been walking in Oakley Wood for over 40 years displaying their fungi knowledge, including the Latin names.

Sticking to the English or common names types of Fungi seen included Turkey Tails (no guessing as to what they looked like) and King Alfred’s Cakes. These fungi are as you might expect totally black inside, with rings similar to those of an onion. It was commented that in ancient times, one of these fungi would be cut open and a camp fire ember placed inside. When closed inside the fungi, the ember was insulated to such an extent that it could be used to light a camp fire in the next place where one was needed.  Also seen were Chicken of the Wood, Foxy Spots, Birch Bracket, Earth Balls, Sulphur Tops and Ink Caps, the latter so called due to the spores being released in a black inky liquid. The liquid actually being used as a writing ink as confirmed by microscopic examination of medieval documents where the spores can still be seen within the ink.

Finally, an example of Bootlace fungi was shown which had the appearance of being as delicate as a fern, but when touched was more like thin wire.

So a very pleasant walk, with a lot of conversation about whether it would be better to see more fungi on the walk whilst being rained on or to have a pleasant walk like this year’s. Perhaps we will just have to wait for next year’s walk to get an answer.