DeerA dozen people travelled in the minibus for the trip to Dunham Massey, a national trust property near Altrincham. It was a still, grey, mildish day which remained largely dry apart from occasional spits and spots of rain. In the morning, most of the party opted to go on the guided walk around the gardens, where there was a lovely variety of flowers including snowdrops, reticulata iris, hellebores, and cyclamen. The daffodils were not in full glory only just starting to bloom. 
FungusAfter lunch, the group explored the various paths through the deer park, enjoying the wildlife in the woodland and on the pools. Only distant views of the fallow deer were seen. Birding highlights included the sightings of jay, greater spotted woodpecker, long-tailed tits and treecreeper and there was a considerable number of tufted duck.There was a lot of fungi to be seen on the fallen trees and this would probably be a good place for a fungal foray in the autumn. The day was rounded off with refreshment in the tea room and as we set off back in the minibus, we were feeling pretty smug as the rain started to fall.
Sue