​Speakers: Stephen Vickers and Kirsty Franklin
Reporter: Cath Robinson

We were treated to a really interesting evening’s entertainment by two impressive and enthusiastic naturalists.

Ringing in Norfolk
Stephen gave a background to ringing in general: more than 1 million birds are ringed annually in the UK with > 3500 active ringers. He then spoke of his experience as a Norfolk ringer joining the established UEARG (Ringing Group) in 2018 since when >13,000 birds have been ringed. 100 metal rings have been recovered over this time.

​Speaker: Colin Smith
Reporter: Sue Gale

It is always great to hear about the travels of our members, and Colin Smith treated us to some excellent images and videos of his adventurous tour of Madagascar. He thoughtfully started by locating Madagascar for us, off the East coast of Africa, and made up of rainforest in the East, mountains in the middle and desert on the West. There are several nature reserves but they are mostly small and isolated, separated by villages and rice fields, and the country has suffered a good deal from deforestation. None-the-less 80% of the flora and fauna are endemic, making this a prime location for naturalists of all persuasions. Of course, the lemurs are the biggest attraction, and there are very many species, ever increasing in numbers as DNA investigations identify differences.

​Presenters: Rick and Elis Simpson
Reporter: Keith Walker
Rick Simpson gave a most amusing and informative talk about their trip to Southern Africa which is detailed below and was preceded by details of their crusade to conserve Wader Species.
Details of their trip focussing on the Waders seen is as follows:-
Airports are often the place where you pick up your first ticks on a trip and at Johannesburg it provided them with the ubiquitous Blacksmith Lapwing.

Speaker: Francis Farrow
Reporter: Sue Gale
It was fascinating to discover some of the history and origins of Beeston Common from one who is surely its greatest advocate and supporter. The Common lies in a glacial valley, but within that area there are two small hills, of different geological ages. You can see how different they are from the vegetation – Bracken Hill has no heather growing on it, whereas Pillbox Hill does. Between these hills are the valleys that hold the marshes and grasslands that form the many different habitats in this special site.

​Speaker: Richard Bashford of Naturetrek and the RSPB
Reporter: Cath Robinson

Richard Bashford was well qualified to speak about this subject having been a Naturetrek guide on expeditions in Poland for several years. His Birding background is RSPB and BTO and now back at RSPB with also time as a freelance leader of birding trips.