Lavell's Lake LNR Berkshire

Thursday 28th November, back in Bracknell, so at lunch time went looking for the Lesser spotted Woodpecker reported at Lavell's lake. I had a good look up and down the River Loddon and around Lavell's Lake, no LSW, but had 38 species which included Green, GSW, Snipe and Water Rail.

Shell Ness Kent on a very grey day.

Wednesday 27th November, work took me to Romford, and after I completed the call, I drove to Shell Ness, as I had not been there for a number of years. As I drove to Shell Ness the fog got thicker and thicker, but I continued on, and had a good walk around seeing 29 species, which included Dark-bellied Brent goose, European White-fronted goose Marsh Harrier and ten different waders, watched a flock of 30 Avocet feeding along the shore line.

Swinley Forest Berkshire

Tuesday 26th November, back in Bracknell, so this lunch time went for a walk in Swinley Forest, saw 12 species, these included Fieldfare, Redwing, Bullfinch & Lesser Redpoll.

Mill Pond Bracknell

Monday 25th November I was working in Bracknell, so at lunch time I went to the McDonalds next to Mill Pond, and after eating, had a walk around the pond seeing 22 species, which included Little grebe, Egyptian goose, Common gull and Grey wagtail.

Mott the Hoople, Thunder & Fish at the O2 London

Monday 18th November, another concert this time back to the O2 London, Mott the Hoople may have been good back in my granny's day, Thunder & Fish amazing, I have never seen so many people leave a gig early.

Fish

 Thunder

Mott the Hoople

Bellowhead, Portsmouth Guildhall

Saturday 16th November, Tracey & I went to see Bellowhead play the Portsmouth Guildhall, and very good they were to :o)

Surf Scoter in Poole Harbour

A juvenile Surf Scoter had been reported for a number of days in Brand's Bay Poole Harbour, and I had some luck, as work sent me down to Bournemouth for work on the 15th November. When on site I checked the web and the Surf Scoter had been seen that morning, so I set of at lunch time to try and see it as this would be a new bird for me. Drove to Sandbanks and got the ferry as a foot passenger across to Studland Heath. I then walked up the road until I was level with Redhorn Quay and then followed the footpath to the shore line, as I was walked up the path two birders were coming back, they had seen the scoter, and told me it had flown off towards the harbour entrance. So I carried on and started to look for the scoter walking back towards the harbour entrance, I got to Jerry's Point still no scoter, and as I was scanning across Bramble Bush Bay, I found the Surf Scoter, that was close to some Red-breasted Mergansers. Took some record shots and then headed back to the ferry, I was able to put another birder on to the scoter, on the walk back to the ferry.

 2013 Year List = 188