October was a bit of an odd month birding-wise. In total I saw 62 species, just three fewer than the previous month, but what was odd was that I saw all those birds by the 17th of the month, with no new species after that date. This was down to not being able to get out and go birding at all after that date. As I'm discovering, trying to fit in time to go birding between a full working week and commitments with friends and family is not easy. To illustrate the point, counting up the number of days where I saw a new species that month I get a grand total of seven, with only three days in total that were days I could do some dedicated birding - most unsatisfactory.

Anyway, here's a list of what I saw in October. You'll note the lack of Redwings and Fieldfares in the list, much to my chagrin. I've heard Redwings overhead in the evening, and seen on more than one occasion flocks of thrushes which may have been Redwings or Fieldfares but I've not been able to ID them or not had my bins with me. Back to the list - new lifers in bold:

Mute Swan
Greylag Goose
Canada Goose
Brent Goose
Egyptian Goose
Wigeon
Gadwall
Teal
Mallard
Shoveler
Pochard
Tufted Duck
Ruddy Duck
Pheasant
Little Grebe
Great Crested Grebe
Cormorant
Little Egret
Grey Heron
Sparrowhawk
Buzzard
Kestrel
Spotted Crake
Moorhen
Coot
Lapwing
Snipe
Black-headed Gull
Common Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Woodpigeon
Collared Dove
Ring-necked Parakeet
Green Woodpecker
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Swallow
House Martin
Meadow Pipit
Pied Wagtail
Wren
Dunnock
Robin
Stonechat
Blackbird
Mistle Thrush
Blackcap
Chiffchaff
Long-tailed Tit
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Coal Tit
Jay
Magpie
Jackdaw
Rook
Carrion Crow
Starling
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
Greenfinch
Goldfinch