Hi folks, 4 years ago I fortunately stumbled across a small area of woodland that had Porcini's growing (Boletus edulis). I managed to collect quite a few through September and October and would dry them for future use. The only problem though is a public footpath that runs straight through the growing area and quite a few dog walkers use the path. Last year was dismal with none found. Maybe someone else was collecting or it was just a bad year for mushrooms ?
This season I went a bit earlier (27/8) and found only one sorry specimen. It had been partially eaten by what I suspected were slugs. I went back last Sunday and found about half a dozen really small ones, again partially damaged/eaten. What I did see though was an American grey Squirrel running through the undergrowth with what looked like a mushroom in its mouth ! I became aware of another four Squirrels up in the trees. On further investigation I could see small scrapings in the litter where probably a mushroom had been removed, although there was no base left in the ground. Other types of mushroom are in evidence such as Russula, but these seem untouched. I called again this morning, but only found one the size of the end of my thumb !
Has anyone any knowledge or evidence that Squirrels will not only take mushrooms but will efficiently clear an area of them. Or am I barking up the wrong tree (pardon the pun) and should be looking at two legged foragers being responsible ?