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.

SET A TARGET OF SEEING 200 BIRDS IN ONE YEAR!

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

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

The best rare birds seen all around Britain in August

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