Pallid Harrier the only new bird added in October.

Thursday 1st October, and after finishing work n Bournemouth I made my way east to The Burgh West Sussex to look for the reported Pallid harrier. I arrived at Burpham around 15:00 and started to walk towards The Burgh, seeing Grey heron, Buzzard, Kestrel, Red-legged partridge, Grey partridge, Pheasant, Black-headed gull, Stock dove, Woodpigeon, Collared dove, Swallow, Blackbird, Carrion crow, House sparrow & while watching a large flock of Goldfinch & Linnet, I noticed a harrier and it was the PALLID HARRIER. I managed to get it in my scope, seeing the light collar and no dark tip to wings, it went after the mixed finch flock, and then over the hill and out of sight, another new bird added.

TOTAL FOR YEAR = 199

Sunday 4th October, Tracey and I went to the Engine Rooms Southampton to see Public Image Ltd.

Tuesday 6th October, Tracey and I went to the Pyramids Southsea to see The Shires.

Thursday 15th October, and on my way home, I dropped in to Blashford Lakes after working in Bournemouth. Birds seen: Little grebe, Great crested grebe, Cormorant, Grey heron, Mute swan, Canada goose, Wigeon, Gadwall. Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted duck, Goosander, Kestrel, Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed gull, Lesser black-backed gull, Herring gull, Woodpigeon, Kingfisher, Green woodpecker, Wren, Dunnock, Robin. Blackbird, Goldcrest, Long-tailed tit, Coal tit, Blue tit, Great tit, Jay, Magpie, Carrion crow, Chaffinch.

Wednesday 21st October, Tracey, Tracey's brother & I went to the O2 Forum Kentish Town London to see Gary Numan.

Thrusday 22nd October and I was working in Kings Hill Kent, so at lunchtime I had a walk around Manor Park West Malling, seeing: Little grebe, Mute swan, Gadwall, Mallard, Tufted duck, Buzzard, Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed gull, Feral pigeon, Woodpigeon, Collared dove, Green woodpecker, Great spotted woodpecker, Grey wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song thrush, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed tit, Blue tit, Great tit, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Starling, Chaffinch, Goldfinch.

Wednesday 28th October, in the morning I was working in Hurley Berkshire, and then in the afternoon Chertsey Surrey, so I had a lunchtime walk between the two sites at Shephard Meadows Sandhurst Berkshire. I was hoping to see Lesser redpoll, I didn't but did see: Grey heron, Mute swan, Canada goose, Mallard, Red kite, Moorhen, Black-headed gull, Feral pigeon, Woodpigeon, Grey wagtail, Wren Robin, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Great tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Starling, Goldfinch.

Thursday 29th October, and back to Chertsey for work, so I took my lunch break walking down Monk's walk Thorpe, also stopped down Mill lane, where in the fields were 5 Egyptian, 76 Canada, 87 Greylag geese, also 1 Grey heron & Stock doves with the Woodpigeons. the following were seen down monk's walk & on the lakes: Great crested grebe, Cormorant, Mute swan, Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Pochard, Tufted duck, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Black-headed gull, Common gull, Herring gull, Collared dove, Ring-necked parakeet, Green woodpecker, Robin, Blackbird, Long-tailed tit, Blue tit, Great tit, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion crow.

Friday 30th October, and as I was working in Hurley, so I drove to Lodge hill farm, Rout's green Buckinghamshire to try for the Black Redstart, it did not show, did note the following: Red kite, Kestrel, Pheasant, Woodpigeon, Green woodpecker, Skylark, Pied wagtail, Wren Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Blue tit, Great tit, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Starling, House sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet.

Some birding, Holiday and as Tom Hanks once said "WILSON"

Tuesday 8th September I had been working near Hounslow, so on my way home I dropping into Staines Moor for a quick walk around. I parked up down Hithermoor road and followed the path around onto Staines moor, on the way in one of the horse fields were three LITTLE OWL. Out onto the moor and I walked over to the other birders and then had good views of the BARRED WARBLER. Also seen: Little egret, Kestrel, Moorhen, Black-headed gull, Feral pigeon, Woodpigeon, Ring-necked parakeet, Green woodpecker, Swallow, House martin, Meadow pipit, Wren, Robin, Cetti's warbler, Blue tit, Great tit, Magpie, Carrion crow & Starling.

TOTAL FOR YEAR = 194

Friday 18th September, and after completing my calls in Redhill Surrey, I drove down to Pagham harbour West Sussex for an afternoon of birding. I parked at the visitor centre and then crossed the road to view Ferry pool, I joined the other birders and was soon looking at the GREY PHALAROPE, which was up near the cattle, in with the cattle were a few Yellow wagtails. The Grey phalarope then few down to the left hand side corner near the road, and began feeding right below us all, also in this corner was a Common sandpiper.

Then to Church Norton and a walk around the churchyard where I saw Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff & Spotted flycatcher, also a Pheasant in the field behind the hide.

Finally out to view the harbour and beach, roosting in the harbour was a BAR-TAILED GODWIT, and there were still a few Sandwich terns around. On the beach was a single Wheatear.

TOTAL FOR YEAR = 196

Saturday 19th September Tracey and I (and our four dogs) took our caravan down to Treveague farm Gorran, for a weeks holiday around this part of Cornwall. We were very lucky with the weather, the views, local food & drink were all excellent. I made a note of the birds seen during the week: Gannet, Shag, Mute swan, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Peregrine, Red-legged partridge, Pheasant, Oysetercatcher, Ringed Plover, Curlew, Turnstone, Black-headed gull, Herring gull, Great black-backed gull, Feral pigeon, Woodpigeon, Swallow, House martin, Rock pipit, Pied wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Wheatear, Blackbird, Long-tailed tit, Blue tit, Great tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook ,Carrion crow, Raven, House sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch & Bullfinch.
Below are some of photos I took during this week.

Wednesday 30th September, and I had some calls to do on a site at Stansted airport, and when I had finished I left and drove to RSPB Vange marsh, a new site for me. The reason for going was a WILSON’S PHALAROPE. Although distant it still gave good scope views, I tried to take some record shots, this being a new bird for my life list. It is always a good buzz to see a new bird, and I resisted shouting out "Wilson" like Tom hanks as other birders were around. Also nice to three LITTLE STINT, and when they fed next to some starlings, realising how little they really are.

TOTAL FOR YEAR = 198