[Clarification: Dagnam Park is at Harold Hill, Romford - it is NOT Dagenham!]

We had a lovely trip to Dagnam Park to see the Fallow deer mainly but it was surprising what else we saw, see below.

It was rather chilly to start but stayed dry and warmed up a bit when the sun joined us. We learnt that there are 1,500 deer in the park and there were many signs along the approach roads to warn us of them. The residents round about are not so keen on them as we visitors are because they get into their gardens and demolish plants and hedges and would be happy if some of them were culled.

There were quite a lot of stags in full antlers and baying (if that is the right word), beautiful and so many different colours.

The park is steeped in history and there have been 3 manor houses and possibly 5. In 1772 a city merchant, Sir Richard Neave (1721-1814), purchased the park and demolished the existing manor house to replace it with an elegant Georgian mansion with far reaching views. That's enough of history but it is well worth looking into because there is so much interesting facts. When moving away from the car park, which is free, you are walking on the main carriage drive to the manor and there are still the two gate post to be seen.

• Birds seen: Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Nuthatch, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Magpie, Black Headed Gull, Robin, Kingfisher and Ring Necked Parakeet.
• Birds heard: Pied Wagtail, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Tree Creeper.
• Mammals: Grey Squirrel and Fallow Deer (lots!).
• Plants: Golden Rod, Red Campion, Holly, Yew, Blackberry, Ivy, Hawthorn and a Giant Sequoia Redwood.
• Insects: Nothing seen but a Bee and a small green flying insect, ?Lacewing.
• Other Wildlife: Numerous Fungi including Yellow Staghorn Fungus, Crystal Brain Fungus, Common Puffball, King Alfred's Cakes, Jelly Ear Fungus on dead Elder, Sulphur Tuft, Turkey Tail bracket Fungus as well as Wolf's Milk Slime Mould and an unidentified Moss.

I am sure that other things were seen by the group as well.

We finished our day with a lunch in the Half-Way House, thoroughly recommend.

Stay warm and well until next month where we will be visiting Blue House Farm.

Best wishes, Janet

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