ABOUT THE DFG
The Dorset Fungus Group was established back in 1995. It was formerly known as the Purbeck Fungus Group. It was conceived at the Dorset village of Lytchett Matravers near Poole by half a dozen like-minded individuals who wanted to further their knowledge of fungi. The name change came about in 2003 when it was realised that the membership of the group now covered a far wider part of Dorset than just the Purbeck area.
The DFG meets on Sunday mornings in the spring and autumn primarily for the purpose of seeing, enjoying and exploring the vast array of fungi growing in their natural habitat. We are in fact the only group in Dorset to specialise in this fascinating subject. If requested by the owners/landlords etc we will also provide a detailed list of the species we find on their land.
Whether your interest is casual, mycological, culinary, recreational, conservational or even photographic there is scope for all activities on one of our forays.
WHERE DO WE VISIT?
Most forays last for approximately 2-3 hours and with some exceptions commence at 09.30am. As well as appearing on this website a detailed foray list can be sent by post to any members that either request one or do not have access to this site. The locations are given as Ordnance Survey grid references and refer to the car parks/meeting places and NOT necessarily the foray sites as these might be some distance away. We visit a wide range of habitats including ancient woodlands, forested areas, country parks, private estates, large private gardens, heath and moorlands, open fields and more or less anywhere else that supports the growth of fungi in a natural setting. As a general rule fungi are far more plentiful in damp situations, but we never know exactly what we will find and and in what situation on a foray. It is always possible that we might come across a rare or unusual species. The small list below shows some popular sites regularly visited by the DFG.
Upton Heath
Kingston Lacy
Wareham Forest
Brownsea Island
HINTS & TIPS FOR JOINING A FORAY
It might sound rather obvious but due to the typical UK climatic conditions and nature of some of the sites listed above it is advisable to bring some wet weather clothing, it's incredible how many people arrive without a waterproof coat etc (rain will rarely halt a foray unless it's exceptionally heavy!). It is also a good idea to wear sturdy footwear and/or Wellington boots. A light wicker type basket is also good for any edibles. Other items that might be useful are a small pocket knife, some kitchen gloves, hand wipes and a small pocket guide for having a go at identifying your finds. Very importantly, as listed in the rules section, remember to keep the foray leader and the rest of the group in sight, it is amazingly easy to lose your bearings in wooded areas, even if you think you know where you are!