​Leader: Ptolemy McKinnon
Reporter: Mandy Etherington

As we gathered at Thornham Harbour for a 9 am start, the overall feeling of the group was one of surprise. We had all left home in thick mist which had lingered until just as we approached Thornham when the sky suddenly cleared, and the sun came out. In fact, it was a beautiful morning, and although the sunshine didn't last, it was mild, still and the light was good.

Leader: Sue Gale
Reporter: John Scoggins

Start: Kelling, TG094429
On the autumn equinox, a small group of us met in Kelling to explore the area around Muckleborough Hill on the north Norfolk coast under the autumnal mutterings of Rooks and Jackdaws, flitterings of Goldfinches in the nearby trees, and the toot of the train from the nearby Poppy Line chugging up to Holt. It was a changeable morning; hot in the sun but chilly in the cloud which gathered as we crossed the road and set off down the Meadow Lane track that leads down to The Quag. As we ventured out of the village, initially surrounded on both sides by trees and hedges, with the best blackberries above head height, the first birds of the walk were perhaps unsurprisingly a mix of Robins, Wrens, Starlings and Dunnock alongside Woodpigeon, Stock Dove and Collared Dove.

​Leader: Matt Wickens
Coordinator and Reporter: Sue Gale
There was a good turn-out for the visit to Sweet Briar Marshes NWT, probably because people had been enthused by the talk in August by Matt Wickens, Urban Reserve Manager. He had agreed to take us round the recently acquired reserve to demonstrate what he had been
talking about. Most of us met in the car park on Hellesdon Road and took the very overgrown riverside path to reach Marriott’s Way. Over the bridge and it was only a short walk to the main entrance, where we met up with Matt.

Leaders: Dave Ward and Andy Rhodes
Coordinator and reporter: Alan Hughes

​Like all the best adventures, this one had a quiet start. On this perfect summer’s evening, Dave Ward, the Warden of the Hawk and Owl Trust’s Sculthorpe Moor reserve took our group of 14 into the beaver
enclosure and told us about the origins of their group (2 adults, 2 yearlings and 2 kits born this year) and of their benefits to the environment. His main purpose was to ensure that we could all be as quiet as possible once we moved into the heart of the enclosure as, he explained, beavers have excellent hearing (as well as a good sense of smell, although poor eyesight). We were able to see one of their dams there, threatening to block a drain.

Leader & Bird List: David Laurie
Reporter: Mandy Etherington
Nine of us met in the car park at RSPB Frampton Marsh. The weather seemed ideal, warm with a light breeze – a bit cloudy so not too bright or hot. Almost immediately we saw a Hobby fly past and had fantastic views of a Sparrowhawk overhead. It was going to be a good day!
We gathered in the Visitor Centre to use the facilities (stopping on the way to admire some Eyed Hawk-moth caterpillars on some bushes at the car park entrance) and the bird list started straight away as we looked through the fantastic picture window in the viewing area. In fact, David had to remind us that we were going to walk around the reserve!