Patchwork Challenge

The winner of the overall comparative score league will win a £50 voucher, kindly donated by  NHBS . All birders love bird books (some a little too much, according to my better half...), so we're confident that this will be a very well received prize! Of course, there's so much  more to NHBS than bird books alone , so whether it's spent on the latest ID guide, mothing equipment, or sound recording equipment, it'll go a long way toward enhancing your enjoyment of your patch - or at the very least, adding a bit of weight to those no doubt already straining bookshelves! It's worth mentioning here that as well as selling you things, often at reduced prices , NHBS review many of the books they stock , and also support a number of worthy causes - see here  to find out more - and please help out in any way that you can!

We are delighted to be able to announce the selection of prizes that are on offer for the winners of the various leagues, all of which are available through the very kind donations from the good people mentioned below. Don't thank us, thank them! First up, the winner of the NGB league will receive the Cameron Bespolka prize - which for 2014's winner will be a years subscription to British Birds magazine, kindly donated of course by British Birds themselves. Here at PWC we feel that a subscription to BB is an absolute essential for any young birder, and it is fitting that the prize donated by BB, who give grants to young birders to visit bird observatories and/or obtain ringing training, should go to a young birder. NGB themselves may also be able to offer additional prizes here - watch this space - who wouldn't want a Jonnie Fisk original?!  Also worthy of mention here is the Cameron Bespolka Trust . The trust aims to raise money to help young birders gain experien...

It’ll soon be the end of the month – the first month of PWC 2014, and the first month of any Patchwork Challenge for many folk. We hope you've enjoyed exploring your patches and have been rewarded accordingly! When you've finished your patching for January, you'll be in a position to submit your scores – which you do via a form on this blog, somewhere to the right of the text you're reading now! Essentially it’s the same process as you went through when registering for the competition, i.e. just fill in the fields and press the submit button. Please note that you do not receive anything saying your submission has been successful, but the text in the form should change to say something along the lines of ‘your data have been received’. What we'll ask for are your name, patch, minileague, species total and points, just as we did for last year. In addition, at the end of every month this year we'll be asking you for your Birdtrack Birdrace details (see ...

Inland East Anglia produced the highest scores of any inland area, with two grafting patchers breaking the 150 species and 200 points barrier - well played to both Jamie Wells and Ben Lewis for this achievement - something many coastal patchers didn't manage! In the end, Jamie wins out by virtue of a 7 species and 9 point gap from Ben, who in turn had a margin of 12 species and 32 points over Ed Keeble in third place. Jamie Wells also wins out in the comparative score league, although this time it's Emma Webb's Maldon patch in second and Alison Allen at Thorpe-next-Haddiscoe in third. 

Thanks to all those who took part last year, and of course, to the generous support of Meopta and Forest Optic , we were able to generate £314 to donate to the BTO's ' Out of Africa ' appeal. This work has furthered our knowledge of the migratory and wintering ecology of cuckoos considerably -  and following the progress of Patch , the cuckoo named after the Patchwork Challenge, was not only great fun last year, but a real eye opener into the distances travelled by these birds and the remarkable speed with which some of the longer journeys were made.It was fascinating stuff. This year, we are again in a position to make a contribution of £1 for every species seen on PWC 2014, this time thanks to those good people at Bresser and Forest Optic . The Out of Africa appeal is not running any more, so instead, we have decided that the monies raised will be donated to support the BTOs work on House Martins . House martins are in decline in the UK, with data suggesting that the...

January January 1 st  notched up 56 species with nothing unexpected.  My next visit added Ring-necked Parakeet, an absolute mega less than 10 years ago but now a regular sight and sound.  I also caught up with the regular wintering Bittern. A snowy spell brought in  two  Golden Plover, Dunlin and Ruff and a fly-over Skylark.  Patch Gold arrived in the form of a Coal Tit, always a difficult bird in the park. February Woodcock is a previously mythical species at Dinton until it was discovered they’re fairly regular at dusk  and  after a couple of  attempts I had a brief fly-over .  A  Jack Snipe  completed the trio.  A first-winter Mediterranean Gull was my first good find of the year. March A S helduck on 1 st  was bang on cue. Oystercatcher was expected ,  with several pairs breeding in the county now. A fly-over male Goosander was  a  major grip-back having missed one in January.  A dra...

With not a point added amongst the Top 3 it is as you were in Coastal Scotland with John Bowler on Tiree, leading Rob Fray at Virkie and Gary Bell at Sumburgh who complete the podium. Both Chris H and Ali Shuttleworth manage to climb a place in December to claim 14th and 17th respectively.  With not a position change in the table it is no surprise that Barrie Hamill's exceptional 132% held off this parishes finest, Mark Lewis. John Bowler holds on to third in what was a very tight league. Chris H and Adrew Whitehouse are the final members of the hundred club with nine patches scoring 100% or more.

With the two top scorers nationally in the Coastal East Anglian minileague it is no surprise to see Moss and Simon leading the way but a closely fought battle with many excellent birds goes Moss's way. James Brown at Corton takes third place well adrift of the leaders but out of reach of Jonathan and Ryan who were the best of the rest so to speak. The movers and shakers this month were Gary White, Peter C, Dave Sivyer and Justin Zantboer who all moved up a place to make several close finishes throughout the table including a tie for 16th place... Despite Moss's monster score he fails to to take the comparative crown with Gary White, the national comparative champion scoring a whopping 160% at Trimingham. Well done to Gary. Simon Chidwick completes the Top 3 with his big points total getting him to 135%. PWCs Ryan Irvine gets fourth place while poor Jonathan Gibbs at Minsmere falls two places as the Winterton massive finally gain some ground.

Graeme G's slender lead over Chris Pendlebury held out in the battle of the Upper Forth and Graeme is the champion of the Inland Scotland Minileague. A recategorisation of Alastair F's patch sees it straight in at number three preventing Chris from claiming two podium spots. Andy Dowse manages to climb two places to eighth in the only move of the month.  The third in a series of double winners, Graeme managed a hefty 127% which for an inland site seems to be a truely impressive score. Andy Cage finishes in second while Graeme Buchanan manages to overhaul both Chris Pendlebury's to finish third whilst joining the hundred club at Boghall. 

A national league is quite something and making the competition truly international is the Ireland Minileague. As such Owen Foley should be delighted with being the champion of Ireland or something like that. In all seriousness a great effort and a massive score worthy of securing the leaders jersey. Dave Suddaby's excellent autumn at Blacksod clinches second spot whilst Colin Barton's slackness when it comes to monthly submissions sees him claim a surprise third place for Galley Head. Niall Keogh has to be content with a respectable fourth despite being in second place for much of the year. The only other change of places involves a late climb into 7th by Tom M at Kilmore Quay. The Ireland Comparative winner is Owen Foley and he becomes our second double winner with a giant score of 145%. The rest of the places stay static with the exception of dark horse Colin climbing into 4th and joining the 100 club with a final score of 114%. Alan Lauder's excellent year at Ca...

Adam Bassett at Little Marlow GP hits back after surprisingly losing top spot in November to take the London Minileague by three points. Paul Whiteman holds on to third place with Marek Walford hot on his heels in fourth. Extremely competitive throughout with little between the positions all the way to the bottom of the league. The rest of the league remained static although a first update from Alan Cox sees him straight in to eleventh place. Adam completed the very tricky task of doubling up taking both the points and the comparative competitions for the London area (it is a pretty broad definition and is easier to write than London and the South east...). In fact none of the published leagues thus far have double winners so extra congratulations for a tremendous effort. The only change of places in the final month was Paul Whiteman moving up one place to fourth with Jason R the unfortunate patcher slipping back. No new additions to the 100 club this month but Fraser Cottingh...

The autumn of Andy Johnson's dreams with find after find including the Meopta and Forest winning Semipalmated Plover secured a well deserved victory on the South Coast. It was never really in doubt but the 102 point margin is impressive. Ian Roberts failed to add to his score in December nearly letting Liam Curson into silver. In the end Samphire Hoe was superior to Cuckmere Haven but only by three points. Adam Faiers climbs one place to fourth whilst Cameron Bespolkas score was good enough to secure fifth place. Joost Brandsma finishes 6th slipping a place whilst the bottom two remain as you were. The comparative league is as you were with Liam winning comfortably. Ian Roberts failed to add points in December and is left high and dry on 99% for the year. Maybe in 2014 Ian? Well done to all who took part and here is hoping the South Coast leagues are a touch more competitive this year.

Ian Mills gets the win in the Coastal North Minileague but after sitting pretty for a good portion of the year he won by a single point as Jane Turner at Red Rocks leapfrogs Iain Robson at Druridge. There was little change in December with a few points added here and there but no other position changes. Iain Robson holds on to the comparative league despite Ian Mills closing the gap and Jane Turner busting through 100% like it didnt even exist to get third place. Alan Tilmouth at Newbiggin misses out on a podium place but can be satisfied with being the final member of the 100 club in the Coastal North.

We have been fairly maligned at times for overlooking the inland patchers and we have been trying to rectify this since the New Year but I have just spotted a major oversight. We failed to produce a Midlands November update. Complaints were thin on the ground so maybe it wasnt that productive. Since October Nick Crouch has added four species to cement his place as inaugural winner of the Midlands minileague. Matt Griffiths at Earlswood lost out to Dave Roberts at Marston by a single point despite his greater species tally. Lower down it has remained static in terms of positions and points although Richard Harbird managed to add a creditable six species in November and December to get within a hair's breadth of the podium. Despite no additions since October Alan Kydd has managed to hold on in a highly competitive comparative league which despite the small number of entrants remained open until the end. Richard's excellent showing was nearly enough to catch Dave Roberts bu...

Kev Rylands had this one wrapped up from a good way out but a strong showing from Paul Bowerman managed to cut the gap to 23 species and a mere(?!) 56 points. Marcus Lawson overtook Dick Best at the last to claim 5th. Peter Hazlewood failed to add to his score allowing Shaun Robson capitalise. Dan Chaney managed to outstrip Derek Julian to make the top 10. Roger Musgrove has led from a long way out and held on despite a late charge from Marcus Lawson. Dan Chaney keeps hold of third place to complete the podium. Positions remain the same further down with Paul Bowerman being the final addition to the hundred club. A great effort all round. Can Roger hold on for a second year in 2014?

The results are in and Steve Stansfield has won by a landslide in the points league with an outstanding 310 species. Ben Porter leapfrogs Mathew Meehan to make it a Bardsey Top 2. Further down Julian Hughes managed to split Henry Cooks twin patches of Conwy and Little Orme with his own efforts at Conwy. Elsewhere things remain the same. Well done to all involved... I wonder if anyone can make inroads into Bardsey's dominance? Congratulations to Marc Hughes with a superb score of 152%. Henry Cook took him close with his Conwy patch finishing on 148%. All the remaining positions have remained the same since November but a closely fought league with no scores under 90%. Five 100 percenters this year - hopefully next year will be equally successful in Wales.

The comparative score table has always been the main aim of PWC and it was always going to be a bit hit or miss on the first year, the whole top 20 managed over 120% through increased effort rather than a low predicted score, or at least that is the case for myself and Mark who both finished with nigh on 130%. Congratulations to Gary White who posted 160% to win, a combination of an excellent year for scarcities and increased effort as the PWC bug kicked in. Roger Musgrove and Marc Hughes made up the top 3 and were the only others to pass 150%. 2014 should see this league become even more competitive as we all use the 2013 score to aim for. Matthew Meehan flys the flag for Wales in the non-comparative league, thanks in no small part to finding a stunning Penduline Tit. East Anglia make up the next two spots with Rob W and Craig Fultcher finding more species than Matt but falling just short in the points. Well done Matthew, a great effort.

Jonny Holliday takes the title in the Inland North Minileague after finishing third nationally. A superb 189 points and 149 species - can he make it 150 in 2014? Pete Antrobus has managed to climb into the silver medal position bringing himself level with Mark Reeder at the close of play. Few additions were made in the final month although Adrian & John managed to pull level with Mark Breaks for joint 4th place. James Common at Stobswood also managed to gain a place whilst George Watola fell three places to 11th. A really competitive league with friendly rivalries that hopefully carry on to 2014. James Common wins the 2013 comparative minileague with a whopping 148%. Six competitors managed to breach 100% with Mark Breaks getting within a couple of points. Richard and Chloe May made it in the final month and in doing so went back ahead of Mark after he claimed 6th in November - its the final scores that matter! Well done to all that took part and hopefully more decent birds are...

I'm sure most of you have seen the Birdguides webzine with the final top 20s here  but we thought it best have a quick round up here too. The good people at Birdguides have generously provided prizes for the best comparative and non-comparative scores, the best inland score, and the best points per bird (ppb) score. The winners will receive subscriptions to Birdguides Bird News Extra service, but before we announce the winners of those, let’s have a look at who came out on top in terms of pure numbers. Congratulations to Simon Chidwick at Cromer who amassed over 200 species! I never though that 200 species would be reached in such a small area so it truly is a great record. His neighbouring patch at Weybourne almost managed the same feat as Moss Taylor finished on 198 species. James Brown completed an East Anglia 1,2,3 while Kev Rylands and Ian Mills ensured the South West and North East made it into the top 5. Moss and Simon swap places in the points table with Moss fi...

Now that the second year of PWC is up and running I thought I would have the first look into 2013 vs 2014 at Hemsby. Three weekends into 2014 and in my mind this year has been pretty dire on patch; the mild and wet weather has left the patch a bit stagnant, no finch or thrush flocks moving through, wildfowl numbers out at sea very low etc. Looking at the raw numbers though suggests that 2014 has not been that bad, 60 species up to the 19 th compared with 62 in 2013 and the point’s totals look even better with 76 in 2014 vs 70 in 2013. So, 2014 isn’t doing too badly despite my misgivings but why do I feel that I have struggled this month. Delving beyond the raw numbers and you get a far more accurate picture. Despite there only being 2 species between the years I have missed a massive 18 species that I saw in 2013 by the 19 th January! I’m missing some ‘easy’ birds but a cold snap should hopefully see me pick up Siskin, Bullfinch, Goldcrest, Redpoll, Fieldfare and Redwing along t...

As we've mentioned here, for an extra element of competition, but primarily to make our patchwork worth a little more, we'll be asking you to submit the number of records and complete lists you have submitted to BirdTrack with your scores each month. Our aim is to smash a collective total at the end of 2014 of 1.25 million records! BirdTrack is free to use web based software that allows to to contribute your sightings to a massive and rapidly growing database on UK and Irish birds, as well as giving you an excellent platform for organising and displaying your own data. The homepage can be found here , but you should note that there are also android and apple apps for use in the field - if you're interested just search for 'BirdTrack' in the relevant app store. Signing up and using BirdTrack is straightforward - as is retrieving the info we'll be asking you to report with your scores - those who are unfamiliar with the system might be grateful for a little gu...

Us birders like to keep tabs on the numbers, so here are a few of ours... 314 - the number of species in 2013 - 315 species on our total cumulative list (the additional species is short-toed treecreeper, on a Guernsey patch!). 3044 - the number of km in 7 days - Patch the cuckoo's journey across the Sahara. 1823 - the number of @PatchBirding tweets, and 96,472 - the number of blog hits, since November 2012. 319 - the number of patches signed up for 2014 (and counting!) 30 - the number of patches we anticipated taking part back in late 2012... 8 - the number of PWC self found greenish warblers last August! 7 - the number of emails we sent to Birdforum asking them to reinstate the PWC thread ;-) 37 - the number of individual BB rarities found on UK and Irish patches in 2013. 10,000 - the number of points awarded for finding a great auk on your patch. 3 - the number of times Mark forgot to submit his score at the end of each month...

For me 2013 marked the best year yet for my little patch at Stobswood, Northumberland. Though still in its infancy the site holds a good mix of habitats including open agricultural land, mature forest and a number of relatively new pools created as part of an opencast reclamation scheme subsequently attracting a diverse range of species. Constantly commuting between university and home this year has certainly taken its toll on my patching efforts however resulting in me missing a few rather good birds with Kittiwake, Long-Eared Owl, Little Owl and Brambling to name a few. This in mind I still managed a final score of  110  points for  103  species with some memorable and extremely enjoyable encounters along the way, not bad for such a new site! Jan-April Jan-April was spent at university (and in the Gambia) resulting in very little time spent on the patch with only conspicuous and common species noted during this time including the usual tits, finches a...

Nominally Barmston has been my patch since I moved to East Yorkshire 6 years ago but until 2013 I hadn't really been there very often with the lure of Flamborough, Filey and Spurn just too much on those special days. Despite this I had managed some amazing days there and after finding Rough-legged Buzzard, and Glaucous Gull along with the rather distant day of a thousand Little Auks (2007? when the Farnes had 28,000) I realised it must have a little potential... I signed up for PWC in November 2012 and had a few exploratory visits to get a feel of the site - I was hugely excited. Kumlien's Gull in February The year was everything I had hoped, a star bird, some decent finds and learning about the site. Like the other guys I will do a month by month breakdown but my year can be divided into three parts which reflect the success and additions I made. The first 3 months I was self employed and due to the sporadic nature of my work I managed to spend a great deal of time on pa...

Andy Johnson has been in touch with us and has a few words to share: "Huge thanks to everyone who voted for the Semipalmated Plover as the PWC 2013 best find – very much the icing on the cake for what was a long-awaited ambition! I’m also glad that so many people got to see it during its 13 day stay. Congratulations to all the other candidates on their superb finds, especially Nick Crouch, whose inland Pied Wheatear deservedly came close to taking the honours, and Sean Morris whose Mourning Dove will be hard to beat in terms of rarity value. Thanks also to Ryan, Mark and James for organising PWC and dealing with what must be an enormous amount of admin (and far more than originally hoped for, I’ll bet!) - good work!  Good luck to everyone in 2014! Andy" A cracking find and congratualtions again to Andy, the Semip fought off some very stiff competition! If you want to hear more about how it was found and what it looks like, take a peek below at the finders account. Arou...

2013 finally came to a close and what a year for PWC, excellent birds found throughout the year and throughout the country with many people highlighting it had been an exceptional year on their patch. Back in January  Meopta and Forest Optic  were very kind to offer a prize for the best find on a patch during 2013 and it didn't take long before a stunning white-phase Gyr Falcon was found at Askernish! What a way to start the year and a shoe in to make the best find short list at the end of the year. The rest of the winter rolled past with excellent finds in the form of White-billed Diver, Green-winged Teal etc keeping many a patcher happy.  Spring had a slow start but by the end of April a nice male Lesser Scaup appeared at Pugneys, Yorks. May was swamped with a deluge of common and scarce migrants and just as we thought the summer doldrums would take over July provided two more highlights of the year. Over in Cork, there was a seawatching day to remember, three Fea's P...

Firstly i'd like to say that i've really enjoyed taking part in the PWC during 2013, it certainly gave me extra incentive to get out there and my daily routine now involves getting up, making coffee, running the scope over the patch. The final results:- Ian, 119 spp / 169 points / 129.7% (This includes 12 points for finding the Gyr) Yvonne, 106 spp / 140 points / 103.7% The extra effort we put into patching this year certainly shows in our percentages. January - The month started off steadily but the 26th bird to be added to the list was pretty special - Gyr Falcon - the story of which was told here on the PWC blog just after the event. We wondered if we'd peaked too early in the year... Ian had to go down to his Essex homeland  mid-January when his mum was taken ill, leaving me to guard the patch myself. I was able to get out most days, searching in the vain hope that i could find something really good that he wouldn't be able to see (nothin...