A two-barred Crossbill visited an Oakworth garden on 29th, it stayed long enough to be identified and photographed before it was taken by the local Sparrowhawk. This is believed to be the first time one of these northern Russian species has been seen in Yorkshire. Otherwise, it was a typical October with an influx of visitors in the form of winter thrushes, small numbers of Whooper Swans and the passage of Pink-footed Geese and Wood Pigeons.

The mass invasion of Redwings and Fieldfares reached its high point on the 18th when over 15 000 of the former were counted flying west and south-westwards, at the moorland watch-point, Paul Clough, Cladene Fields and Ogden. Fieldfares, in smaller numbers, were seen more frequently as the month went by with 1100 over Caldene Fields (29th).

Whooper Swans were first seen in the south of the area when a flock of eight birds crossed Paul Clough (8th) and the moorland watch-point. Later in the month, two dropped into Doe Park whilst another couple were on Chelker Reservoir (both 19th) and at the month end, four adults and two immatures were seen on Cononley Ings (29th). Pink-footed Geese moved generally eastwards throughout the month with skeins was seen on the 1st, 17th, 18th, 23rd and 28th. The autumn movement of Wood Pigeons was also witnessed around the area with an impressive total of over 15 000 passing Caldene Fields on the 28th and 29th.

Two Ring Ouzels spent a couple of days in Paul Clough (2nd & 3rd), a Rock Pipit was feeding at the moorland watch-point (7th) and two Tree Sparrows spent time at the feeders on the Stockbridge Reserve (11th). Redpolls and Siskins were reported in small flocks from a number of sites mainly from the south of the area and family groups of Stonechats continued their passage over the moorland fringes with regular reported sightings. A Snow Bunting flew over the moorland watch-point (3rd), two Brambling were seen in Denholme Clough (12th) and a female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was feeding at Crook Farm, Baildon (28th).

Water Rails returned to Stockbridge on the 2nd and the expected arrival of ducks was witnessed by reports of small numbers of Wigeon at Lindley Wood (1st), Knotford Nook, Otley Wetland (9th) where Goldeneye were present (29th). Mandarin numbers were increasing at Bolton Abbey, a Merlin flew through Stockbridge Reserve (19th) and the last remnants of summer were reported in the form of a few Swallows and House Martins lingering on to the end of the month.