Wild about mushrooms and toadstools on Merbach Hill Common, Bredwardine

9:27am Friday 10th October 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

Autumn is a great time of year to hunt for many of the hundreds of species of fungi found in Herefordshire. So, on a cool misty morning this week, Sheila Spence, a local field mycologist, led a fungus foray on Merbach Hill Common. At the start of the day, an enthusiastic group of local people listened to Sheila’s captivating description of the world of mushrooms and toadstools. But which of the many fascinating and beautiful species of fungi would they find? Would they stumble across death caps, stinkhorns and ugly milk-caps? Or would the species growing on Merbach Hill be more appealing?

As the morning progressed, 35 species of fungi were recorded. They included colourful crimson waxcaps, meadow corals and parasols growing in the rough grassland at the top of the common. The crimson waxcap (Hygrocybe punicea) was a particularly pleasing find as it is an indicator of high-quality species-rich grassland. Coconut-scented milk-cap, with its delicate coconut fragrance, was the first find of the day. Later on, golden waxcap was discovered in the rabbit-grazed areas, as were snowy waxcap, apricot club and smooth earth tongue. Under the hawthorn and birch scrub, other striking species, including common bonnet, lilac bonnet and blusher, were spotted by the group, who unanimously decided that there could be few better ways to spend a Monday morning!

Merbach Hill Common is one of 12 commons in Herefordshire Nature Trust’s Community Commons Project. Information about this project can be found at www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/hereford or by phoning 01432 853205. Monthly workdays are held on Merbach Hill Common and details about these can be found on the Bredwardine and Brobury website at www.bredwardine-brobury.org.uk. New local volunteers are always welcome!