Funghi Picking - Cambridge area?

[SloughFeg]

Ok so I've just moved to Cambridge from up north. I noticed there is a lot of fields etc around here and was wondering where is best to go mushroom picking at the moment? I only have access to my bicycle as means to travel so I'm restricted to pretty much the immediate area. Any info is greatly appreciated and maybe we could even go foraging together.

[Lancashire Lad]

Hi, and welcome to WAB.

Please note that if it is eating of wild mushrooms that is your intention, this site does not discuss anything relating to edibility issues.

Please read these stickies: -

That time of year again

Is my fungus edible or psychotic requests

Regards,
Mike.

[SloughFeg]

Thanks for the reply Lancashire Lad. I've read the stickies and I'm not intending to eat whatever is picked. Merely for observation when I get them home and to try and distinguish what kind they are.

[Lancashire Lad]

Originally Posted by SloughFeg

Thanks for the reply Lancashire Lad. I've read the stickies and I'm not intending to eat whatever is picked. Merely for observation when I get them home and to try and distinguish what kind they are.

In that case, stick around.

I'm sure that someone will be able to give you a bit of info on your area.

You will learn a great deal by following and participating in WAB's fungi forum.

Regards,
Mike.

[FungiJohn]

Originally Posted by SloughFeg

Thanks for the reply Lancashire Lad. I've read the stickies and I'm not intending to eat whatever is picked. Merely for observation when I get them home and to try and distinguish what kind they are.

So tell us about yourself SloughFeg

I would be interested in why you should want to 'pick' mushrooms.
What books do you use and have you a microscope?

It may be easier, especially if you travel by bicycle, to carry a small digital camera and record your findings that way.

This should help:

Help us to help you identify fungi

btw welcome to WAB

John

[Ditiola]

Hi Slough Feg

I also have a pre prepared fact sheet for the collection of fungi, (just covering collection and making spore prints, and nothing on how to study them) and although many of the items are covered on Fungi John's info, I think there is some other useful info, but I hope not too much (Please note: any opionions or views contained in the article are mine alone and not of WAB)

It is at the following Link:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/25610275/Collecting%20Fungi.pdf


John
I would appreciate you views on my information sheet? Is it too much info to start with? Do you want to incorporate any of it into the WAB info?

Peter

[FungiJohn]

Originally Posted by Ditiola

John
I would appreciate you views on my information sheet? Is it too much info to start with? Do you want to incorporate any of it into the WAB info?

Peter

Thanks Peter. I'll have a look and get back to you

John

[SloughFeg]

Thanks for the information, much appreciated. Ditiola I found your info sheet very easy to follow and not in the slightest overwhelming, I will definitely use it should I come around to doing any spore prints.

@FungiJohn I would prefer to pick the mushroom as my digital camera isn't the best, I understand that picking in moderation doesn't have much in the way of negative effects for the funghi or surrounding area? I don't own any books for this and mainly use the internet. I would always rely on the friends I used to go with to inform me about each species, they knew a lot more than I do.

[FungiJohn]

Originally Posted by SloughFeg

I would always rely on the friends I used to go with to inform me about each species, they knew a lot more than I do.

But how would your friends 'from up north' see the fungi

John

[fairplay]

Hi Slough Fen,

If you have no books of any sort, it sounds like you must be at the beginner level, in which case I feel it right to point out that not all fungi need to be picked or taken home to identify.
Luckily, most of the easy ones can be identified in situ such as common earth balls, stinkhorns, the 2 red emetic Russula's that occur with Beech or Pine, Ceps (you can be excused for wanting to 'take a few home to identify), morels (in the right season) Fly Agaric - the list is endless.

But PLEASE, PLEASE, do buy yourself a decent book such as Colins or Phillips as to use just the internet is bound to make you want to take them all home, when just buying a book, you only need to take the book with you when you go out and others will be able to see the fungi too after you have gone.

Hope that makes sense to you. The idea, is to disturb the countryside as little as possible.

Neil.