On Sunday, August 20, we are going to explore some places around Ottawa with our traditional mushroom identification tour. We learn how to identify mushrooms and know some basic rules related to their search and picking up. Please, confirm your participation. We’ll meet at Hazeldean Mall at 9:00 am near the big board with the address “300 Eagleson Rd.” From the mall, we’ll drive together to the place of our excursion. The exact place of the excursion will be identified to the end of this week.
Place and Subject of the Excursion:
We will stop in several places to explore the area and search for mushrooms. We’ll learn how to identify mushrooms, places where we can pick up mushrooms, and just enjoy the trip to the forest in a beautiful area. We’ll talk also about the diversity of mushrooms in Ottawa Valley and about other forest creatures we’ll be able to spot.
We recommend carpooling from Ottawa. I will be able to take 3 passengers to my car.
Dress:
Watch for the weather forecast and be prepared accordingly. For the trip, you will need a pair of good shoes for hiking along the trails. Do not forget sunscreen and insect repellent. You also need to take water and a light snack.
This is a guided tour for those who are interested to know more about fall mushrooms and nature in Ottawa Valley. We plan to go to the Mayo area, Quebec. We’ll visit the area, which is known as good for mushroom harvest, including many various species. At this time, we expect to find a diversity of Oyster Mushrooms, some boletes, perhaps, some honey mushrooms, some milk caps, and russula species. We’ll meet at 9:00 on Sunday, September 25, near St. Malachy Catholic Church, Mayou, QC, and then follow together to the place of our excursion in the private area owned by John MacDonnell, where John kindly invited us to explore mushrooms that can be found along the trails on his property. The end of September is a time when still there are many edible mushrooms and also this is a time of beautiful fall colors. First, we’ll walk to several corners of the property exploring edible and poisonous mushrooms and talking about nature surprises. And later we’ll explore also trails in the property where you can observe from the top of Lac Blanche and even see the Mont-Tremblant.
We’ll find out how to differentiate edible mushrooms from other similar species, some of which can be poisonous. We’ll look also if there are some edible plants in the forest. We’ll explore the environment by observing species by sign and by specific vocalization. We’ll see also how different animal species, prepare for the long winter.
How to dress?
Please, be prepared for the day of late September; so take care of clothes and shoes that are most comfortable for moving on narrow paths, through ravines and inconveniences.
What else might be needed?
You will need water and a light snack. Do not forget small baskets and knives for picking mushrooms. Take personal protection against insects and sunscreen.