One of our usual walking group was still abroad in warmer climes but today we had been joined by a well known local bird watching expert so at 9.35 am and with boots on we were ready to go.  The weather was dull with a slight wind but the temperature was just under 4°C and did not feel cold. We had parked just off the Mobberley road and walked down Teal Avenue to the Dog Wood entrance to Tatton Park.  As we crossed the railway lines we could see over Knutsford Moor into Knutsford town centre.  Entering Dog wood we walked through the wood to the large exit gate.  After passing through this gate, a quick scan over the main mere, and then we walked along the main track which led us to the Scout’s area used for storing their boats and camping. From here we skirted the periphery of the park then cut down to the main mere.  The water from the main mere passes under the road and emerges in a culvert before flowing in a small stream towards the Old Hall.  As we made our way towards the Old Hall the stream was running parallel to our course but then swung away to the right to pass behind the Old Hall.  We carried on passing the Shippon and then turned right to walk in front of the Old Hall entrance.  Though closed at this time of the year the gates were open and I nipped in to take two pictures in the Old Hall grounds.  The first was the barn where the wheat was stored and hand threshed.  The second was the Old Hall which looked in excellent condition for such an old building.  We carried on walking keeping close to the boundary fence on our right until we reached the Mill pond into which the stream from the main mere flows after passing through a number of marshy areas.  Water from this pond is pumped to the fountain and gardens at Tatton Hall and we wondered if the solar panels by the pond were big enough to generate power for the pump.  The only birds on the pond were Tufted Duck, Coot, Moorhen and Mallard so after a quick group photo it was off again until we reached theboundary fence at the deer park.  Birds such as Osprey and Hen Harrier have been seen previously over this area and one of our group had his favourite seat at the base of an old Oak tree.  Today we did not even see a buzzard but the yaffle of a Green Woodpecker made us realise that spring was nearly upon us.  Keeping close to the boundary fence we made our way towards Tatton park main gates.  The Fallow and Red deer kept their distance from us and it was impossible to get a decent photo so a picture of some highland cattle had to suffice. Large flocks of Fieldfare were in the fields with just a few Redwing but other birds were scarce.  Reaching the main drive we turned right and walked to the main gates of the park.  Passing the toll booth reminded us that though the park is owned by the National Trust it is managed by Cheshire County Council and the vehicle entrance fee applies to all cars irrespective of being a member of the National Trust.  A quick about turn and we were now heading for Tatton Hall.  Passing a small dark pond we spied two male Shovelers  which looked totally out of place.  Reaching the Hall we entered the courtyard in front of the hall then turned right to pass under an archway as we made our way to the restaurant and toilets area.  At the end of the restaurant block a new building is nearing completion and after a quick photo we decided that a hot drink would be most acceptable.  The usual restaurant  was closed but a temporary restaurant was open in the annex of the hall which was hosting the “One Tree Exhibition”.  However a free exhibition was just too inviting so we gave the hot drink stop a miss and entered the exhibition hall.  All the exhibits had been made by different craftsmen from one Oak tree that had been felled in the park.  Amongst the many pieces was a drinks cabinet costing £250,000.  After a quick 30 minutes we reminded ourselves that we were supposed to be on a walk  so it was off again and passing by the car park area and the Home Farm entrance we made our way to the park boundary where turning left we were now walking back to Knutsford.  A field held a number of sheep but just two young lambs.  In the same field was a copse of Lime trees with the trunks totally bare for the first four feet from the ground then followed by a mass of intertwined branches, this strange appearance probably having been created from animal grazing.  It was now 12.30pm and though the weather forecast was bad for the afternoon we had only had a few drops of rain at 11am.  It did however feel colder than before but out of one of our group’s pocket came his thermometer and we were informed that at 4°C it was unchanged from when we had started the walk.  As we walked along the park boundary with the golf course on our right we passed an old ice house with its entrance to the underground storage area now barred.  The sky at the Knutsford entrance gave us our first Buzzard of the day. Leaving the park at the Knutsford gate house we turned left into King Street and then left again into Drury Lane. Immediately before us was the Ruskin building on the side of which a plaque described how in April 1944 an officers club for the American third army had been opened in this building by its commander General  George S Patton.  Further down Drury Lane another plaque informed us that in 1832 at this very spot nothing happened.  At the bottom of Drury Lane we turned right and walked along the unadopted road with the moor on our left.  On our right in front of the houses ran a small stream about two feet wide.  This I was informed was the famous river Lily the fording of which by King Canute had given Knutsford its name.  It was hard for me to believe that this water carrying ditch was actually a river and it must have been a lot wider when King Canute crossed it.  Another ten minutes and we were back to the cars.  Now 1.15pm and we had hardly seen any rain and despite the presence of todays famous ornithologist we had hardly seen any birds either.  No pub stop today so it was straight back home after a very enjoyable and interesting walk.

INDEX PAGE for the THURSDAY GROUP WALKS