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.

The best rare birds seen all around Britain in August

SET A TARGET OF SEEING 200 BIRDS IN ONE YEAR!

Grey Phalarope, Pelagic (Scilly), 31 August RICHARD STONIER ...

Peak autumn has a treasure trove of non-feathered riches to discover, says James Lowen

Karen Youngs encounters squabbling herons and glimpses an elusive predator on a waterside walk