Fungi Walk on the Lizard with experts Paul Gainey and Pauline Penna

Fungi walk in Lizard wood, from Maddie Chittenden

The woodland fungi walk hosted by Lizard Wildlife Groundswell was a fantastic way to learn more about these fascinating organisms, whether a complete beginner or someone with more experience. We were lucky to have a crisp, clear early autumnal day, and the two experts who led the walk were very knowledgeable and friendly, and more than happy to share their combined wealth of knowledge. They were Paul Gainey and Pauline Penna. Paul is a walking encyclopedia about all things in nature and Pauline leads the Cornwall Fungus Group. https://www.cornwallfungusrg.com/

'beefsteak'

Along the way we saw some familiar species as well as some more unusual ones that would be easily overlooked without the keen eyes of our experts, and it was interesting to find out more about each one. Some of note were the 'beefsteak'' mushroom which oozes droplets of blood-like liquid, the 'hairy curtain crust' fungi which shrouds dead logs, and we even found a particularly rare one that has only recently been discovered in the UK (by one of the experts no less) and hadn't been recorded locally before.

Hairy Fungus Curtain

Overall it was an informative and fun way to learn more about the magical world of fungi that surrounds us, and I hope there will be another one next year!