THE FUNGI OF ETHEROW COUNTRY PARK

I have always enjoyed visiting Etherow Country Park due to its diverse habitat and escapist ambience. When the chance arose to do the park’s annual fungal forays I was, at first, filled with trepidation to say the least. This is a sizeable area and would have people far more experienced than myself struggling to keep up with the excellent array of mycological specimens. Looking back I am glad I ‘had a go’ and have been leading the forays ever since (13 done in total so far). There is always something to ponder over and always some generally pleasing species on show. Walks are always well attended and the rangers are always willing to join in. This is a brief account what the park has to offer and the gems I have uncovered so far.

When leading a foray I always view the park as being in 3 sections, the area around the boating lake, the coniferous side (Ernocroft Wood) and the deciduous side (Keg Wood). It takes a goodly while to do all this and rarely does a walk last less than 6 hours. Enthusiasm is a great thing and my outlook is that if you have made the effort to get out then make the most of it.

The foremost area of the park is dominated by the boating lake and the mill pool. Walking from the visitor centre towards the weir there is a raised area along the left hand side that must never be left out. A variety of deciduous trees are located here with beech (Fagus sylvatica) the most dominant species. In some years one can uncover a profusion of Russula species with scattered Blackening Russula (Russula nigrescens), the odd Common Yellow Russula (Russula ochroleuca) and occasionally a veritable army of Beechwood Sickener (Russula nobilis). White Coral (Clavulina cristata) and Grey Coral (Clavulina cinerea) are almost always present usually accompanied by Amethyst Deceiver (Laccaria amethystea), The Deceiver (Laccaria laccata) and one of my favourites, Jelly Babies (Leotia lubrica). Another Laccaria species, Twisted Deceiver (Laccaria tortilis) has also been found further along this pathway. The fantastically coloured, and scented, Aniseed Toadstool (Clitocybe odora) makes the odd appearance and the subtly attractive Dark Fieldcap (Agrocybe erebia) shows up now and again in grassy pathside areas. It is worth keeping an eye out for the lovely distorted caps of White Saddle (Helvella crispa) that can be found in large quantities. An old Elm trunk has produced the fruit of the Wrinkled Peach (Rhodotus palmatus) in 5 of the last 6 years and is sometimes covered with a nice cluster of Eyelash Fungus (Scutellinia scutellata).

Wrinkled Peach (Rhodotus palmatus)

With the woodland gently changing Silver Birch (Betula pendula) becomes more obvious and such species as Orange Grisette (Amanita crocea) add to the initial interest. As we slope away down to the Friends of Etherow Sensory Garden we walk through an open area that offers little but, now and again, throws up the odd unlikely specimen such as the tobacco smelling Blackedge Bonnet (Mycena diosmus) which was a first for yours truly.

The sensory garden is a nice pause in proceedings and due to its dampish nature and numerous log piles does give reason to deliberate. The thread-like growths of Pipe Club (Clavariadelphus junceus) can be prolific but it still needs a keen eye to spot them. A lot of the more common species can be examined here, particularly the idiotically named Hairy Curtain Crust (Stereum hirsutum), Smoky Bracket (Bjerkandera adusta), Blushing Bracket (Daedaleopsis confragosa) and the ubiquitous Sulphur Tuft (Hypholoma fasiculare).

Ernocroft Wood is essential foraying as the coniferous woodland and additional bounty of Silver Birch ) makes for a wide array of specimens.  Speckled Rustgill (Gymnopolis penetrans), Bay Cup (Peziza badia), Plums and Custard (Trichomolopsis rutilans), Coconut Scented Milkcap (Lactarius glyciosmus), the ever comical Stinkhorn (Phallus impudicus), the crowd pleasing Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) and the sinister Scarlet Caterpillar Fungus (Cordyceps militaris) all add to a delightful stroll.  Alder Bracket (Inonotus radiatus) has been noted here growing on the aforementioned birch trees which is quite noteworthy.  A variety of spore shooting species are common in this part of the park with Wolf-Fart Puffball (Lycoperdon pyriforme) the one that seems to generate most interest and the one that gives me the chance to relate a few anecdotal tales.  There is a lot more to this area than has been uncovered so far and I reckon many a good walk is still to come.  In fact these walks could be so good I would suggest you join Fungal Friends as soon as possible and avoid missing out - details at www.fungalpunknature.co.uk.  Never miss a chance do I?

The deciduous woodland of Keg Wood is a real treat with certain areas more prolific than others. A steep incline leads to a sloping area of beech trees where Beech Milk Cap (Lactarius blennius), Lilac Bonnet (Mycena pura) and the odd Blusher (Amanita rubescens) are always found. Just prior to this rewarding stopping point is a small area of Hazel trees that have produced the terrifyingly hot Fiery Milkcap (Lactarius pyrogalus) – phew! A little further on and a grassy area with scattered Silver Birch trees occasionally throws up the Peppery Bolete (Chalciporus piperatus) – another tongue tingling tinker – double phew! Beneath nearby scrub can be found the curio Elfin Saddle (Helvella lacunosa) which really needs a keen eye to uncover. The following open grassy glade has a few Larch trees (Larix decidua) along the path edge and always throws up many species new to a day list with Larch Bolete (Suillus grevillei), Orange Peel (Aleuria aurantiaca), Yellow Field Cap (Bolbitius titubans), Honey Waxcap (Hygrocybe reidii), Collared Mosscap (Rickenella swartzii), and the uncommon Larch Spike (Gomphidius maculatus) all usually present. White Fibrecap (Inocybe geophylla) is present with the attractive form lilacina found in some years.

White Fibrecap (Inocybe geophylla) and form lilacina

Before and just after the cottage one can pick up Clouded Agaric (Clitocybe nebularis) late on in the season. I say ‘late on’ as I always view this species as being the sign that the fungi season is drawing to a close. It normally fruits right at the back end of the fungal season proper so if you see this, then get a move on. A specialist species known as Piggyback Rosegill (Volvariella surrecta) grows on the back of these Clitocybe species but alas I have yet to find it here or anywhere else for that matter – one can wish though!

Up and around Sunny Corner and one should uncover the much maligned Ugly Milkcap (Lactarius turpis). I say much maligned as I feel anything with a moniker that has ugly in it is destined for a life of prejudiced opinions. I like this species and its grubby greenish cap and polluted looking yellowish gills ooze character (and milk). Down with the fungalists I say!

Down and along the side of Keg Pool will have us finding species such as Shaggy Pholiota (Pholiota squarrosa); Peeling Oysterling (Crepidotus mollis); Crampballs (Daldinia concentrica) and Dead Mans Fingers (Xylaria polymorpha). Going back to Crampballs or King Alfreds Cakes for that mater – there is one ‘not so young’ fellow who has strode around Etherow for many a year with a couple of these species in his pocket swearing by the old wives tale that they in fact do prevent cramp. The proof is in the pudding here as this bloke doesn’t half shift for his age!

Making our way back out of the woodland it is worth keeping an eye out for Tripe Fungus (Auricularia mesenterica) and Jelly Leaf (Tremella foliocea) both rubbery in texture and not at all that common.

Heading back to the car park I always take the central path that dissects the watery areas and almost always pick up Brown Birch Bolete (Leccinum scabrum), The Miller (Clitopilus prunulus), Bearded Milkcap (Lactarius pubescens), Brown Roll Rim (Paxillus involutus), Birch Knight (Tricholoma fulvum) and Frosty Webcap (Cortinarius hemitrichus) without fail. It is a pleasing stretch to finish on and if one or two punters are eager for more a quick mooch at some nearby Collared Earthstars (Geastrum triplex) can round off the day in fine style.

This is just a small taster of what to expect on a typical fungal foray at Etherow CP and believe me when I say there is a whole lot more to catch up with ‘in’ and ‘out’ of the regular fruiting season. I must mention the staff at Etherow CP who have always been most supportive and enthusiastic as regards my walks and they surely must take all the credit for making the area so rewarding. They manage the park with all aspects of wildlife in mind and they are truly reaping the rewards of their efforts. The fact that timber is left to rot and there is such a diversity of habitat all make for a great mycological site and I am convinced the site list can only keep on growing.

Fungalpunk Dave