Great to see some new patches joining the ranks in the Ireland Comparative Score Minileague after having taken part for the first time during 2014.
Leading the charge is Niall Keogh's local suburban parks patch in South Dublin which sits in first place with 72.05% after he clocked up 46 species in January comparing favourably to a final 2014 total of 64 species. But for how long can he hold on to the top spot? Comparative league stalwart Eamonn O'Donnell makes a fine entrance, straight into third place with 61.74% at Ninch/Laytown. Tufted Duck & Merlin both good species for him there during January.
It's also very encouraging to see lots of new names and patches gracing the Ireland Points Minileague table in January 2015 where it looks like some 'friendly' patch neighbour rivalry might be kindling...most interesting! Niall Keogh's Kilcoole patch heads the table (for now) and the first to break the 100 points barrier with 88 species including patch scarce such as Barnacle Goose and Pintail. Neal Warnock's Larne Lough patch is close behind on 84 species and 99 points. Over two thirds of contestants (including many of those who are new) have recorded over 50 species/60 points.
Last year's overall points table winner, Dave Suddaby at Blacksod, has had a good first month but with a long way to go to catch up on what was a record score during 2014 for him...
Last year's overall points table winner, Dave Suddaby at Blacksod, has had a good first month but with a long way to go to catch up on what was a record score during 2014 for him...
Rarity of the month goes to a Glossy Ibis at Tramore Backstrand for Arlo Jacques, making for a great start to his PWC introduction. 'White-wingers' showed well with both Glaucous and Iceland Gulls at a total of four patches between them. Julian Wyllie had a Yellow-legged Gull at Baltimore whilst Cathal Forkan added a handful of overwintering Ring-billed Gulls and a Sandwich Tern at North Galway Bay...looking forward to see how that patch progresses through the year. An excellent winter Great Skua record off Kilcoole for Niall was most welcome as was an overwintering Marsh Harrier from 2014 and a brace of Red Kites. Best passerine of the month relates to a Siberian Chiffchaff which Julian found at his new suburban patch at Skibbereen.
Iceland Gull at Larne Lough © Neal Warnock
Isn't it a Glaucous in this image though? Or just an Iceland Gull that looks like a Glauc???
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