October challenge
AUTUMN is arguably the best season for birding, with migration in full swing and a host of unusual species or different-looking juvenile birds making ID interesting. Here are some things to do this October.
Find an ouzel
British breeding Ring Ouzels start to migrate south in late September and continue into October, with the peak week in the first half of the month. Birds from the Continent are also found along the east coast during October, many arriving along with Redwings, Fieldfares and other thrushes. Listen for their chacking call and look for them feeding on hawthorn, yew and rowan berries.
Ringed gulls
The numbers of gulls are starting to increase, with many birds coming to Britain for the winter. Visit a local area with gulls, perhaps a park lake or gravel pit, and try to find a bird with a ring on. By luring it with bread, or using a scope, it may be possible to read the ring number, and also check for a colour ring as well.
Garden Goldfinch
This is a good month for Goldfinches in the garden, and you may already have them visiting. If not then the challenge is to attract them in, and the best way is by providing food in the form of nyger seed. This will bring in small finches and is especially favoured by this sharp-billed colourful visitor and its relative Eurasian Siskin.
Crest fall
October is the peak time for both Goldcrest and Firecest arriving from the Continent. These tiny birds feed actively and call. The challenge is to identify them by the call. A visit to the east or south coasts provide the best chance of a Firecrest and sightings of Goldcrests are increasing in gardens in October.
Identify a third-winter European Herring Gull
Getting familiar with gull ageing is without doubt a challenge. Try to pick out a European Herring Gull with full grey back, largely black primaries and with some black in the tail. The head should be streaked grey band the bill will be black-tipped. Good luck! Now try and age all the others you see.
Feeding flock five
Many birds are starting to form large flocks now. In woodlands, you may find many of the tits have banded together, sometimes with Goldcrests and Eurasian Nuthatches. In fields there may be finches, buntings and sparrows. Waders will be feeding together on estuaries or roosting at high tide. Find a feeding flock and try to identify five different species within it. Look carefully as you could find something rare. Chris Harbard