Piemonte

The stunning scenery of the Western Italian Alps has been Paul Cardy’s home for most of this century, and this tour is centred on his base for the last seven years, the little hamlet of Coassolo. The focus will be fungi, a wealth of species to be found in the extensive deciduous and coniferous forests, and in open alpine grasslands.

A comfortable and welcoming base in a picturesque village will see us enjoying delicious Piemontese cuisine as we discuss all we’ve seen during the day.

On the Po plains the walled Savoy hunting reserve of La Mandria has mixed broadleaf forest, scrub, open grassland, and agriculture supporting a wealth of wildlife. Moving up the anastomising Valli di Lanzo we pass through oak forests then spruce/pine and larch, with fine views of the snow-capped peaks on the frontier with France.

The range of fungi is exceptional. Amongst the species we’ll encounter are Cystoderma amianthinum, Lepista nuda, Amanita citrina, Amanita phalloides, Hypholoma fasciculare, Tricholoma sulphureum, Clitopilus prunulus, Lactarius evosmus, Lactarius deliciosus, Lactarius deterrimus, Russula atropurpurea, Russula amoena, Suillus placidus. Boletus edulis, Phlebia radiata, Fistulina hepatica, Flammulina velutipes, Trametes gibbose, Spathularia flavida, Craterellus cornucopioides and Guepinia helvelloides. Particularly associated with larch will be Lactarius porninsis, Hygrophorus speciosa, Hygrophorus laricinum, Hygrophorus lucorum, Suillus cavipes and Suillus viscidus.

There will be much to enjoy aside from the fungi. Colchicum autumnale may still be in flower and there is a decent chance of seeing one or both of Chamois and Ibex. Fire Salamanders still move about the forest floor. During our visits to the higher areas we will encounter both Chough and Alpine Chough, and Alpine Accentor too. In clear skies Golden Eagles drift over. Black Woodpeckers call in the forest where we’ll likely see Nutcracker and the characterful Crested Tit.