The most unusual duck seen in October was a hybrid (above, and flight picture below) and the identity of its parents are still not known for sure. The duck was seen on the 26^th and mostly stayed on its own although it did appear to approach a few pochard occasionally, which showed very little interest. Expert opinion suggests the bird is a hybrid of mallard and one of the pochard species, possibly red-crested pochard.

October saw significant changes in the numbers of our more regular ducks. Gadwall increases markedly, starting the month at around 20, but increasing to over 80 by the end of the month. Shoveler went the other way, starting the month at more than 50 but being down to a handful by the end. The small flock of red-crested pochard which had been here through september stayed until around mid-october, whilst teal numbers remained at low single figures all month. The reservoir has supported a single breeding pair of mute swan for many years (not always the same pair), who vigorously defend the site when any interlopers turn up. This month though, a group of interlopers have proved too numerous to eject, and this has led to an accumulation of around twenty swans of various ages. The situation is relatively harmonious at present but is unlikely to stay that way as we get closer to the breeding season.

We had a few visits from an adult yellow-legged gull (above flanked by lesser black-backed gulls) around the middle of October. Large raptors were fairly well represented with sightings of both red kite and common buzzard.

The first water rail of winter was heard in the reed-bed on the 7^th, and snipe were present all month although not seen very often. Redwings (above) started to pass over on the 12^th, although flocks were relatively small, up to about 20. Birds were sometimes seen in trees along the woodland trail. The first fieldfare of winter flew out of an oak on the north side of the site on the 23^rd. Other migrating birds noted were flocks of up to 25 jackdaw, up to 7 meadow pipit, and plenty of the common finches. Three house martin seen on the 5^th were a late record.

The total number of bird species seen here in October 2021 was 63, about 3 or 4 less than the historical October average.