Although the light was rather dull, our group of 18 birders were cheered by a dry morning and brilliant autumn colours which helped to lighten the gloom. Several corvids and a Black-headed Gull were spotted as we waited for the bus from Pill to Sandy Lane. Alighting from the bus, we set off towards Leigh Court and Paradise Bottom, and the River Avon, through the woods. The usual passerines were seen, including 15 Long-tailed Tits and several flitting Goldcrests. Several fungi were seen including the brilliant white balls of the Porcelain Fungus. Thank you, Jean. The adjacent fields yielded a flock of 25 Linnets, a Buzzard, Meadow Pipits, Greenfinch and Goldfinches amongst others. The river and its banks revealed a generous slice of birdlife, including 40 Redshanks, Cormorant, Little Egrets, Common Sandpiper and six Grey Herons. The railway bridge at Sea Mills was decorated with the bobbing heads of innumerable Feral Pigeons. At Ham Green Lake we noticed a Moorhen pottering about. Thank you, Judy, for leading and Alan for doing the bird track, 36 species. Sue Black