MAKE Y OUR BIRDING C OUNT

I HAVE written numerous pieces about mallard – this our most ubiquitous duck is a survivor. Mallard can be found almost everywhere, and I love them and never tire of watching them. They are underrated

30-minute birder Amanda Tuke sees the benefits of being distracted by birds at home, and on the coast

October is many birders’ favourite time of the year. The potential is massive! Anything can and will turn up. However, here are five birds which will certainly be about and should be ‘gettable’ (with a bit of luck and skill) this month.

Check your answers against our explanations. Remember, there are no ‘trick’ birds or extreme rarities among these...

When you’re watching waders, you need to make sure the conditions are just right, writes Ruth Miller