A dry, still, November Saturday morning saw 15 enthusiastic people come together at St Mary’s Old Church. They had come from as far away as Chelmsford to enjoy our now annual guided ‘fungi hunt’ walk. This year they were led by one who set their level of expectations by confirming that as there are over 15,000 species of fungi in the UK, he had no intention of being dogmatic in any identifications. He was working on the principal that anything found, if eaten, would cause severe illness or even death! (You’re not getting the writer into a Coroner’s Court.)
First Finds
So, on that basis we started in the Church graveyard where we found numerous Waxcaps (probably Golden Waxcaps).
Join the Friends of Hillhouse Wood to Hunt for Fungi
Wrinkled Peach Fungi seen last year
The Friends will be going on a “fungus hunt” to seek out elusive fungi next Saturday 16th. They will aim to find a variety of mushrooms and toadstools in and around the wood, and explain something of their fascinating life cycles and why fungi are essential for a healthy woodland. They will also keep an eye out for visiting winter birds.
Nearly 20 hunters scoured the woods, hedgerows and fields last year and were rewarded with some stunning finds. You can see the report, including a video slideshow of their finds, here.
The walk will start at the Old Church, leaving at 10am on Saturday 16th November. The walk will take in Hillhouse Wood and surrounding hedgerows. You should wear strong boots or wellies, as you may encounter wet conditions underfoot !
Read on for a report from the last guided walk on 28th September.
Autumn Fruits Walk 2024 did better with flowers! – Steve Hallam Reports
Nearly 50 Species!
Eight of us scoured Hillhouse Wood and surrounding fields for evidence of nature’s bounty. We were rewarded by finding nearly fifty species of plants showing fruits or flowers. However, I believe that this walk is arguably mis-named, in that we usually see more flowers than fruits. This proved to be the case again this year.
The Next Guided Walk at Hillhouse Wood is a Winter Bird Walk
Following the successful Fungus Foray in November (see report and video below) the next Guided Walk is the annual Winter Bird Walk on Saturday 2nd March.
Steve Hallam will lead the winter bird walk in and near Hillhouse Wood, offering a chance to see resident woodland and meadow species and some winter visitors.
Skylark seen in 2022
Great Spotted Woodpecker Seen in 2022
The walk will take in Hillhouse Wood and surrounding hedgerows. Strong boots or wellies should be worn, as we may encounter wet conditions underfoot! To join the walk meet at the Old Church ready to leave at 10 am.
The first Fungus Foray for several years took place on 25th November on a crisp, bright ‘n breezy morning. Seventeen took part, hunting down fungi ranging from bellcaps, measuring perhaps a couple of millimetres across their caps, to these birch polypores which are up to 20cm across. They feature in an Alpine tale of a bronze age killing. Among the deceased’s possessions were strips of the very same fungus we were observing 5,000 years later, demonstrating the value he placed upon it. It exposes things which our modern educated minds have largely forgotten, things like:
The Next Guided Walk at Hillhouse Woods is a Fungus Hunt
Following last months successful Autumn Fruits walk (report below), is the first Fungus Hunt for several years on 25th November.
Ian Rowing will lead the “fungus hunt” to seek out these elusive fungi. He will aim, with the help of those with him, to find a variety of mushrooms and toadstools in and around the wood, and explain something of their fascinating life cycles and why fungi are essential for a healthy woodland. We will also keep an eye out for visiting winter birds.
The walk will take in Hillhouse Wood and surrounding hedgerows. Strong boots or wellies should be worn, as we may encounter wet conditions underfoot! To join the walk meet at the Old Church ready to leave at 10 am.
Steve Hallam reports on the Autumn Fruits walk around Hillhouse Wood and the surrounding area on the 18th October 2015:
In mid-October I led the third of our Autumn Fruits walks. These walks focus on berries and nuts, but also cover whatever else we find along the way. Thirteen people came on the walk this year, which was pleasing bearing in mind the uninviting weather at the time.
It might reasonably be thought that, as this walk is primarily plant based, the same things would be seen each year. Indeed this is what I had anticipated. However it transpires that nature and predictability are not natural ‘fellow travellers’. This year this worked slightly to our disadvantage, as several finds in 2014 were absent this time. Chief among these was a spectacular display of wild hops, of which there was now no sign at all. White bryony was another fruit that could not be found. In general the numbers of berries were lower than in the two previous years. The haws and hips were relatively thin in the hedgerows, as were the delicate Spindle tree berries. The black berries of the Dogwood were nearly completely absent; in fact it was only through diligent searching by party members that a few were found.
Despite these absences, the area in and around Hillhouse Wood is so productive that we still ran out of time before we had stopped to see and talk about all the berries, nuts and flowers that are visible at this time of year. The walk pays most attention to aspects of the countryside such as the ways in which plants were once used by people, how they can indicate the line of historic boundaries, the mythological beliefs that were associated with certain plants, and the tricks they use to survive. Flowers such as the humble and unspectacular looking Yarrow or St. John’s Wort were once important to previous generations, used to cure ailments and protect crops from disease. Our two Guelder rose shrubs put on their normal spectacular display, while the Ivy berries were maturing in their normal abundance. Of the two, the latter were of much greater use to people, and have more interesting stories to tell. One of its uses was to protect households from malicious goblins, especially at Christmas time.
Blackberries have been abundant this year, although largely over by now. We were also able to find Woody nightshade and the related Black nightshade, the former a climber but the latter an upright herbaceous plant of disturbed ground. Two strands of Black bryony were found, the only member of the Yam family to grow in Britain. A few Holly berries were tucked away, and one Honeysuckle plant which was simultaneously showing berries and flowers. In the wood the Sweet chestnuts had produced their normal heavy crop of well protected nuts.
So, all in all, we had a very successful walk which I trust everyone enjoyed.
Next Sunday, 18th October, sees Steve Hallam leading an Autumn Fruits walk around Hillhouse Wood. This walk will seek out berries, soft fruit, nuts & seeds along with any flowers & birds that might crop up en-route. Steve will explain how these fruits have been used by humans and animals, the folklore about them, which ones should not be eaten – and what will happen to you if you do! You should expect to see around 20 types of berries, fruits and nuts.
The walk will take in Hillhouse Wood and surrounding hedgerows, and will thus be a little longer than normal. Strong boots or wellies should be worn, as we may encounter long wet grass!
If you want to join us, met at the Old Church at 2pm (weather permitting).
The walk is arranged by the Friends of Hillhouse Wood in conjunction with the Woodland Trust.
With some 60-70 species of fungus in Hillhouse Wood this is a great opportunity for you to discover them. Ian Rose will be leading the walk which starts from the Old Church at 10am on Tuesday 8th November. You are advised to be dressed appropriately since the paths in the woods can be wet, sturdy shoes in particular are advised.
This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net
… through Hillhouse Wood on Thursday 4th November.
Meeting at the Old Church at 10am Ian Rose will be leading the ever popular fungus foray, seeing some of the 60-70 species in the wood. You will need to be dressed appropriately for walking in the wood — sturdy shoes are a must as the paths can be wet!
Organised by The Friends of Hillhouse Wood in conjunction with the Woodland Trust this event will run ‘weather permitting’.
This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net
