Our Winter Fungal Foray
June 2025
Our recent Fungal Foray at Matuku Link was a sell-out success, despite the cold and wet weather. Nature lovers and curious minds bundled up and joined us for a fascinating walk led by expert mycologist Dr Peter Buchanan.
Peter’s passion for fungi is infectious, and over the course of the morning he introduced us to the hidden and often overlooked fungal life thriving in our wetland reserve. From colourful mushrooms to barely visible fruiting bodies, each find came with its own story.
Among the discoveries were:
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A paper wasp infected with a cordyceps fungus, an eerie and impressive example of parasitism in nature
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Tiny bird’s nest fungi, with their miniature “eggs” known as peridioles
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A large bolete with a spongy underside and rich earthy colouring
After our foray through the bush and wetland edges, we gathered in the barn to warm up and learn more. Peter shared some of his favourite field guides and gave us a close-up look at a few remarkable specimens, including the legendary āwheto or vegetable caterpillar – a native caterpillar mummified by a native cordyceps fungus.
It was a fantastic morning of learning and discovery, reminding us how important fungi are to our ecosystems – and how much we still have to learn about them.
A huge thank you to Dr Peter Buchanan for his generosity and enthusiasm, and to everyone who braved the elements to join us. We’re already looking forward to the next foray into the fungal world!
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