August 5, 2023 Continued path development and forest management at Saint Andrews Forest Farm

Cyathus striatum, splash cups, commonly called the fluted bird’s nest mushroom, found along the water way in back left corner of farm. It is saprobic, a decomposer growing on dead branches. The inside of cup appears white. Notice the cup with dark eggs which get hit with water and release spores. Ridges along the cup. Light brown or cream colored.

We went back and explored the bottom left corner of the farm and found another property marker. The earth is exposed and red back there, and has recently been washed through by a cleansing rain. In some parts it is easy to see the water moved with force and power. 48 hours after the last rain, we saw pools of water in places as well as found a deep pool with water dripping into it from an underground source.

The pool with water dripping into it from underground.

We found mushrooms and plants growing all along the edges of the waterway. In this area, mountain laurel grows. Ferns and mosses were also present. Tiny mushroom pins that need another rain to grow and mature were everywhere when we stopped and looked around carefully, we saw multiple fruiting bodies.

Numerous cinnabar red chanterelle pins awaiting more moisture to mature.

Blue ground cedar and unidentified moss along waterway

Multiple unknown brown polypore mushrooms at base of tree along waterway’s edge.

We made our way towards the midline of property along the waterway and stopped when it deepened significantly. We didn’t notice any animal tracks or scat along our way. Yesterday, we saw a rabbit along what we are calling Chanterelle Trail. It was gray and hopped away from us quickly as we were making noise culling numerous tulip poplar and other small, undeveloped trees. We heard the woodpecker off in the distance today but it didn’t come and interact with us directly like yesterday.

Then, we culled more trees as well as trail blazed midway down the hill and made about a third of the way to the north trail. It was dense with sunlight starved trees. We began laying the trees along the outer edges of the trail to build up a berm to help with water flow and soil retention on the slope.