Kwinana Rockingham Mandurah Branch, 23 June 2024

The June field excursion was to Paganoni Reserve, primarily focusing on Fungi. An excellent turnout of 34 members and guests met at the power line entrance as a fine drizzle started to fall, but it soon blew over, and the remainder of the morning was fine. While the attendance form was passed around, attendees’ attention was drawn to a large White Punk Fungus (Laetiporus portentosus) at eye level on a nearby Tuart approximately 25cm in diameter.

We then set off to explore the swampy area and hunt for fungi. It was great to see young children excitedly finding fungi and using small mirrors to check for the presence of gills and, if present, the colour of those gills. Recent rainfall had resulted in reasonable numbers of fungi to be found, though numbers were definitely down on previous wetter years. Gymnopolus sp. were abundant on the fallen Melaleuca sp. trunks, and Clarke’s Pixie Caps (Mycena clarkeana) were also present. Orange Mosscaps (Rickenilla fibula) and other Pixie Caps (Mycena sp.) were found, but in much lower numbers than usual for this time of year. Small terrestrial fungi were observed amongst the leaf litter and grassy areas.

Daniel Heald reported some of the more interesting sightings; these included a Red Raspberry Slime Mould (Tupifera ferruginosa) and Dung Buttons (Poronia erici) on Kangaroo scat. Daniel also found Plump Springtails (order Poduromorpha) swarming amongst the gills of an Aminita sp.

The focus on fungi meant that we were not looking up to the canopy for birds. But we did see Splendid Fairy Wrens, Silvereyes and Grey Fantails. It was a great outing that everyone enjoyed.

The following link contains some images taken by Daniel Heald https://www.facebook.com/share/p/jJdum6ze9KC9xGCp/

The following link contains images taken by Sophie Xiang https://www.facebook.com/share/p/ZF9dp7q3z2Y8AHsu/

Colin Prickett