Stanwick Lakes has yet another attraction for visitors: a magic mushroom.
The phrase “magic mushroom” usually implies a fungus fruiting body that contains psychedelic drugs. They became famous in the Hippie culture of the 1960s.
This magic mushroom is something different. Tom Haddon, 41, a student at the University of Northampton spotted one at the Lakes last October.
The ‘wrinkled peach’ mushroom is found around the world, but here in the UK, it is rare, with just 1,624 recorded sightings in the entire country.
The wrinkled peach mushroom is flagged in the Red List of Threatened Species as “vulnerable” due to “fungal pathogens killing its primary host [trees] elm and ash”.
Cllr. Andy Mercer was the Leader of East Northamptonshire Council at the time Stanwick Lakes was created. He helped guide the conversion of Stanwick Lakes from a huge eyesore to a brilliant tourist attraction and wildlife refuge.
“I had a vision of a mixture of lakes, play areas, walks, and wildlife. I expected waterfowl, mammals, and amphibians to appear, but this one was a surprise to me.”
“The discovery of this rare mushroom shows how important Stanwick Lakes is as a refuge for threatened wildlife.”
