All the mushrooms you can – and can't – eat:Longueville House, in Mallow, Co Cork, is hosting its annual mushroom hunts on Sunday, October 10th, and Sunday, October 24th. After the mushrooms are picked, visitors will be treated to a gourmet lunch featuring the fungi they have contributed. Taking part costs €90 per adult or €20 per child. To book call 022-47156 or e-mail info@longuevillehouse.ie.
The identification of woodland fungi is also the theme of a one-day field trip organised by Woodlands of Ireland this coming Monday. Maria Cullen, a University of Limerick mycologist, will identify edible and poisonous mushrooms and their habitats at Charleville Estate, Tullamore, Co Offaly. For details e-mail woodsofireland@iol.ie.
Giving the red squirrel a chance against the grey
Ninety per cent of adults and 85 per cent of schoolchildren support controlling grey-squirrel populations, according to the current issue of Crann magazine. The authors conclude that trapping grey squirrels is the preferred approach, with the aim of helping native red squirrels to re-establish themselves and protect the young broadleaf trees from which grey squirrels strip the bark. The planting of Norway spruce, Scots pine, ash and alder and supplementary winter feeding is also recommended to encourage the increase of the red squirrel population. See npsw.ie to read the All-Ireland Red Squirrel Species Action Plan.
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antaisce.ie
Check out this site for details of National Picnic Day tomorrow. More than a dozen venues, including castles, country houses and An Taisce’s base in Tailors’ Hall, Dublin, will host events.
