North Kerry Waxcap Survey 2012 - the Northern Ireland Fungus Group

Rank Site Grid Ref 10k H C E G
1 Glennahoo Q551081 Q50 15 1 1 2
2 Lough Adoon Q528070 Q50 12 1 1 1
3 Lough Annascaul Q581052 Q50 11 0 1 2
3 Slea Head V318971 V39 11 2 2 1
5 Faha Grotto Q492120 Q41 10 0 0 0
5 Kilballylahiff Q628088 Q60 10 0 0 1
7 Ballynahow Q433124 Q41 9 1 1 0
7 Dunmore Head V307982 V39 9 1 2 1
9 Bull's Head/Doonties Common V497975 V49 8 1 3 0
10 Eask Tower V436983 V49 7 0 1 0
10 Lough Slat Q607078 Q60 7 0 1 1
10 Tarbert House R072485 R04 7 1 0 1
13 Connor Pass South Q478050 Q40 6 0 1 0
13 Sybil Point Q311060 Q30 6 0 1 2
15 Clogher Head Q305027 Q30 5 2 0 1
15 Kerry Head Q678314 Q63 5 1 1 1
Table 8 – Sites ranked by number of Hygrocybe
H=Hygrocybe; C=Clavariaceae; E=Entoloma; G=Geoglossaceae
The best site on the survey was Glennahoo, a very steeply sided glacial valley cutting between
Binn an Tuair and Beenbo mountains with 15 species of waxcap found. Notable species found
were Hygrocybe calyptriformis, Hygrocybe flavipes, Geoglossum atropurpureum and
Trichoglossum walteri. Also of note were the large amounts of Coprinopsis semitalis. The
valley sides are steep, grassy and well drained with especially the spurs between the streams
descending straight down the slopes being dry and rich in waxcaps. The valley has been
farmed in the past with numerous earth bank walls which were very good for waxcaps. Only
the eastern slopes were searched so the western slopes could be searched on future visits
although being more shaded, they be wetter. Following the track up the valley, the first part
that was of interest was from Q546089 to Q547091 with the best areas being the high earth
bank walls alongside the track. These were very rich. Once past Q547091, the valley slopes
became good as well with the dry spur at Q553080 being particularly good. Grazing is mainly
by sheep but horses were also present.
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