I was out for a short spell this morning and added Little Owl to the month list, bringing us to an impressive 95. For me it raises the question if 100 could be reached next year?
If you factor in various other possible additions that have occurred in other October's it seems reachable;
Black-necked Grebe - There are 6 October records, so why not
Mandarin - Totally local species, seemingly resident around the area North of Sandford Farm, so a concerted effort along the Loddon should score one
Garganey - This yearis one of those rare ones to remind us they are not quite annual, but October is a good time for rising Teal numbers and there have been 4 October records already
Red Crested Pochard - 3 October records, so possible
Scaup - I feel this one slips through more often than we see them, just 3 1980's October records, so trends may have changed?
Goldeneye - Am surprised we haven't had one already, many have turned up between 18th and 26th October
Marsh Harrier - Despite never having an October record, I feel it is highly possible, even more so with them breeding now in Oxon.
Osprey - In warm autumns, I see no reason why we could not catch one early in the month.
Merlin - 5 October records and for me the most likely month to see one, a very good candidate, maybe we'll get one tomorrow or Friday still?
Ruff - Just 2 October records, but still a high chance of another in October.
Jack Snipe - Just 4 October records, plenty more in November, but again a good chance of one dropping in early, we've had them in September so it's far from unlikely
Woodcock - Perhaps one may turn up very late into the month, the earliest have been early November.
Black-tailed Godwit - 2 October and 1 November record, so rare as they are we know it can happen and with LFGP SW corner looking so good, it will happen at some point.
Curlew - 5 October records, but they have dried up before month's end, but never say never.
Greenshank - 5 October records, tons throughout September, so very good chance of one.
Common Sandpiper - 9 October records and November ones too, random, but highly likely.
Little Gull - 1 October record, but they probably slip through too.
Yellow-legged Gull - With so few big gulls lingering, it is hard, but random luck might bring one and probably already does, if you're switched on enough to ID them in flight.
Sandwich Tern - My 4 late birds 4th 2012 is the only October record, but at least it proves they do come thru late.
Arctic Tern - 1 record
Black Tern - Most recent was 3rd 2014, just 2 other records means they are rare
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker - If a bird graces our region again!
Sand Martin - Vigilance early in the month will help
Rock Pipit - Probably go over every year
Yellow Wagtail - Passage was rubbish this year, perhaps populations are crashing further, but early in the month for now is possible.
Stonechat - Am very surprised we didn't get one this year, 7 of the last 10 years has delivered.
Ring Ouzel - I look everyday and there has never been an autumn one yet
Firecrest - We all need to look more
Bearded Tit - With so much more Phragmites more birds will occur
Crossbill - Random autumn passage means we can easily get one
Yellowhammer - Not so far away from us, but becoming more and more rare as each year goes by, that said if people know the call, I am sure the odd one must still go over and October is a good month for them doing so.
So there you have it, even if you take out this year's Goosander, Dunlin and Med Gull, there is tons of stuff that can show up.
Last night I was at Bittern Hide checking Snipe (9) and Teal (40), one of the females was a bit paler and had a very pronounced loral spot, so I felt compelled to check Blue-winged Teal in the books again.....nah!...but maybe one day. It made me think of my top predictions for DP ticks;
Great Norther Diver
Green Winged Teal
American Wigeon
Ring-necked Duck
Lesser Scaup
Having caught up with both wild swans in the last 3 years, I also like to bump into Red Breasted Merganser and Long-tailed Duck would be great too.
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