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The Secret World of Mushrooms Mike Boom Volume 51, Number 5 February 2006 The Secret World of Mushrooms Mike Boom Are mushrooms invisible super-organ- isms? Do mushrooms have sex lives? Are they likely to have strange inter-kingdom alliances? There is much more to mush- rooms than meets the eye. Join Mike Boom for a revealing peek into the world behind the familiar mushrooms you see in the woods and fields. Learn to iden- tify and appreciate the denizens of the mushroom world that you are most likely to encounter in California. This is a busy time of year for amateur and professional mycologists. The rains bring a mushroom explosion in the East Bay hills. As with birding, the thrill of the hunt becomes addictive for mush- room fanciers. Not only are they beauti- ful to look at, many wild mushrooms can be eaten. Each species of mushroom grows in its own unique habitat. Morels AMANITA MUSCARIA. These are the mushrooms that bring to mind the Danse Chinois to the like the spring following a cold snowy music of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite in Disney’s “Fantasia.” According to one source, winter. They like the soil of burnt for- these are “Poisonous and hallucinogenic—esteemed by both maggots and mystics.” A ests or the soil around dying elm trees. common name Fly Agaric comes from an ancient practice of mixing them with milk to Learn what conditions encourage the stupefy flies. They’re common in western North America, Europe and Asia. growth of Chanterelle, Porcini, or Oys- interest is marine biology. He is an ac- ter mushrooms as well as the poisonous tive scuba diver and produces underwa- Amanita Muscaria. ter videos that have won prizes in com- Meeting Schedule Mike Boom is a past president and news- petitions around the world. The next general meeting of Mount letter editor of the Mycological Society Diablo Audubon Society will be of San Francisco. He currently serves as Birding Information Thursday, February 2, in the Education Chair. He has written articles Brian Murphy and Bob Wisecarver will Camellia Room of The Gardens at about mushrooms and mycology for the update three of their local projects. Brian Heather Farm, 1540 Marchbanks East Bay Express, Mushroom: The Jour- monitors and photographs the Shell Drive, Walnut Creek (see map on nal, and other publications. His articles Ridge Golden Eagles and is pleased to page 7). are great fun to read as he writes with report that the female returned this No- 6:30 PM Doors open humor and clearly enjoys and appreci- vember after leaving with an eye injury 7:00 PM Birding Information ates his subject matter. He also leads fun- last June. Brian’s photos will illustrate 7:25 PM Announcements gus field forays and gives introductory how Bob’s Quail Habitat Improvement 7:40 PM Social time, refreshments*, mycology lectures for groups such as the project feeds the local wildlife. And, we door prize San Francisco Park and Recreation De- will see their latest project called ‘Just 8:05 PM Program partment docents and the Oakland Mu- for Ducks’ which provides Wood Duck * Please remember to bring a cup. theseum Quail docents. Mike’s other biological boxes in strategic—1— locations. February 2006 Audubon Christmas Bird Count Welcome The central Contra Costa Christmas Bird count was held on Saturday, December17. It was a fairly rainy day and our number of species and overall number of birds New Members were low. We had about 60 observers in the field that day.The total number of Patricia Bacchetti Oakland species seen was 145. Our average is around 150. Highlights were a Tufted Duck Jackie Bobrosky Martinez seen at the Bollman water treatment facility in Concord by Steve Glover, a Canyon William Davis Walnut Creek Wren at Black Diamond by Jill Hedgecock’s team. A Ross’s Goose seen with Canada Nancy Hanna Walnut Creek Geese by Bill Chilson’s group was only our second in 25 years. Thomas Kieny Lafayette The East Contra Costa count was on December 21. It was a calm, overcast day with Dolores Morrison San Leandro no rain until the afternoon. We had almost 30 participants on seven teams that day. Laurie Morrison Lafayette Perhaps because of so many storms the week before and finally a clear day, we saw Patricia Riggs Lafayette almost all we could expect and seven new species for the count, now in its fifth Michael & Lenora Robertson year. 153 species were seen on the day. New were Eurasian Wigeon, White-throated Concord Sparrow, Black-bellied Plover, Townsend’s Warbler, Vesper Sparrow, Great-tailed Grackle. Other good birds were Winter Wren, Caspian Tern, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Phainopepla and Varied Thrush. This many species for an inland count is MDAS Activists most unusual and just shows what a rich area the eastern part of Contra Costa Brian Murphy and Cathy Wacker spent County is for all of us. Jimm Edgar & Maury Stern, Co-compilers a day installing six Wood Duck boxes on the banks of Walnut Creek. Come hear more about this activity at the Birding Join the Fun, Make a Difference Information portion of the February gen- Membership in Mount Diablo Audubon and for our conservation efforts. Please eral meeting Society offers opportunities and chal- call Patrick King, (510) 642-6522, day- Bill and Leslie Hunt have been active in lenges that can lead to learning, fellow- time, to learn about the duties. a WCOS program to grow native grass ship, and accomplishment. Opportuni- Shirley Ellis is our Volunteer Coordina- and lead groups in planting in Heather ties such as enjoying the field trips with tor. Call her at 938-3703. It’s certain that Farm Nature Area and Shell Ridge Open knowledgeable leaders, and hearing by taking a more active role, you’ll make Space. These are not just a few plants, from experts about our diverse natural new friends, learn something new, join but several thousand, and has run into environment. Challenges such as caring the fun, and make a difference. many planting sessions. for local bird habitats, and for outreach to our community schools and to the Bob Wisecarver and Walnut Creek Open public. Space Foundation crews have been busy in North Lime Ridge Open Space, trying You can personally take advantage of the One of our valued volunteers who to duplicate the success of the Borges opportunities in many ways. Join one of stands out—but stands behind the Ranch Quail Gully project. Two fenced the field trips; attend the meetings. You scenes—is Gerry Argenal. She’s sections of gully have been fenced, can strive to meet the challenges in vari- the one who supervises and painted, and brush piles installed so far. ous ways, too. A $40 donation places an coordinates the refreshments at A grant request has been submitted to the Audubon Adventures program directly each of our meetings. into the hands of a Fourth Grade teacher county Fish and Wildlife Committee for Thank you, Gerry, you’re an money to fence and plant a third section. in our area. Volunteer as a trip leader; or indefatigable soul, and you make Willow sticks will be cut and planted just sign on to staff the MDAS table for an a great cup of coffee, too! as soon as buds start to show. Two years hour or two at one of our birding events. ago, twenty out of twenty-eight willows Take an active role in the business of the survived and several are now up to eight Society. There are currently two open- feet tall. So little work for such great suc- ings for which volunteers are needed. If cess! Incidentally, last year this project was you have computer skills and just a few This bird can be found awarded a “Beauty of Environment” cer- hours each month your new post as throughout the Central tificate by the Walnut Creek Action For Membership Chairman is waiting for and Western United Beauty Council, so more than birds have you. Call Ann McGregor, 968-1677, to Q States. It is commonly noticed the work. learn just what this job entails. seen in the agricultural fields near the Salton Sea foraging for McNabney Marsh projects are still un- Our web site is about to receive an over- newts, frogs and other aquatic morsels. der development, with Chevon pipeline, due remodeling. Someone to assist Its name belies its usual appearance. and marsh drying and trenching still to Patrick King with this task will receive a be finalized. Final planting for the sea- great deal of thanks. Here’s an opportu- Unscramble these letters, or turn to page son was scheduled for January14, nity to share your skills to make a val- 6 for the answer. weather permitting. Bob Wisecarver ued contribution to your organization ABCDEEEFHIIISTW the Quail —2— February 2006 Field Trip Schedule By Elizabeth Dickey Field Trip Reports February March November 10, Heather Farm. Six mem- 1 Wednesday East Contra Costa 1 Wednesday bers enjoyed a pleasant walk around 4–5 Saturday/Sunday CANCELLED Emeryville/Berkeley Waterfront Heather Farm Park on a mild, sunny 8 Wednesday Grizzly Island 4 Saturday Capay Valley autumn morning. 31 species were seen, 16 Thursday East Briones 9 Thursday Lafayette Reservoir including Common Moorhen, Belted 18 Saturday Bolinas 15 Wednesday Borges Ranch Kingfisher, and Western Bluebird. 23 Thursday Davis Sewer Ponds 18 Saturday Black Diamond Fred Safier 23 Thursday San Leandro Reservoir December 7, Niles Canyon/Quarry 29 Wednesday Lagunitas Lake Lakes Regional Park. The trip to Niles Field trips are open to members and non-members, beginners and masters. Weather Canyon/Quarry Lakes was certainly one or other contingencies may require changes.
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