North Portland 2014 - Sean Foote

-

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the 'patchwork' challenge?

-
Image
The birding fraternity has seen a shift in attitudes recently, with many birders turning their attention from twitching towards rarity finding.   As a result, there also seems to have been an upturn in the profile watching a local patch. The advantages of watching a local patch are obvious. Low fuel costs and travel time aside, great pleasure can be derived from getting to learn a place inside out, observing how the seasons change, and getting value from common species that otherwise wouldn’t get a second glance. Throw in the potential for the odd rare bird or scarcity and to me, you have a really exciting, involving way to enjoy your birding. So what could enhance the patch watchers enjoyment a little? Well, perhaps adding an element of competition would do the trick. We’re a competitive bunch, us birders, both with our peers and ‘internally’ as well. We like a gloat, we like to add things to lists, and we like to know what the numbers are. So why not see if we can add a ...
Read more

How to get the most out of your scoring spreadsheet

-
Follow this link to get your hands on the Patchwork Challenge official scoring spreadsheet! If that doesn't work there are details at the bottom of this post.... You'll need your own version of this so when it is open, click file and select download...and save it somewhere! The spreadsheet is dead easy to use. When January 1st comes, all you need to do is enter the birds you see in the 'Spp" column, as and when you see them, along with the date. The spreadsheet will add the values for each species. When you are lucky enough to find a species worth three points or more, put an 'F' in the find column. The magical spreadsheet will then calculate the number of species you've seen and the number of points you've accumulated. Beware that the spreadsheet gets a little lippy when you enter something incorrectly spelled...there is a 'list' tab where you can look things up if needs be....but dont alter anything on the list page as you will mess up ...
Read more

August round-up 2026

-
Image
Hello from the Patchwork Challenge team!   I am very sorry for the shortened, revised write-up for August. Time has been scarce this month with work, birding and personal commitments. Hope you can still enjoy this round-up. If you feel like you have the capability to help out with the social media, the writing of blog posts or helping to organise the competition, then please get in touch via email. Cheers! Ring-billed Gull taken by Toby Phelps Inland North, England:  Mike Leakey is on for an incredible year at his Bishop Middleham patch with a MASSIVE 118% scored so far! The best for August included Curlew Sandpiper, Greenshank, Ruff and Great White Egret. Owen Tattersall at Figham Common is on 103% and he picked up some amazing patch records. Firstly, a pair of patch firsts flew over together in the form of a Curlew Sandpiper and Ruff - this being a brilliant combo for a patch with no standing water. The other goodie being Tree Sparrow, a first for the patch for 14 years!...
Read more