Midlands - August 2015

Tom Shields remains the only Midlands patcher beyond the 100% barrier as he adds a further 4% including three points for a Spoonbill. Below Tom its all change as last months second place player, Rob Williams, falls to sixth. Meanwhile Steve Lyon jumps a place and crests the 100% barrier thanks to additions of Wood Sandpiper and Marsh Harrier at Marston. Andy Mackay at Eyebrook climbs two places and back into the top three as he edges Andy Sims out this month with a barrage of two point waders
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Ian Cowgill's lead has been cut to 17 points despite a 10 point month. John Hopper adds 16 points at Hoveringham including the find of the month - a Black Stork. This 12 pointer threatens to make the final third of the year much more interesting at the top of the table. Andy Mackay's Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Avocet, Wood Sandpiper, Garganey combo keeps him on John's coat tails.

No further bonus points but lots of good birds as post juvenile dispersal and migration get into the swing. Dave Roberts who shares Marston with Steve Lyon added Wood Sandpiper and Yellow-legged Gull. Neil Duggan at Salford Priors had some good solid patch birds with Black Tern, Osprey, Spotted Redshank and Med Gull. Andy Sims had a red-letter day on August 25th adding his with a patch tick Avocet, a second record of Caspian Gull and a bonus Yellow-legged Gull. Rhys Dandy added Redstart, Little Tern, Grey Plover and Turnstone at Cropston and Swithland. There was also a spread of patchgold with a third record of Corn Bunting for Richard Harbird, a Turtle Dove for Steven Lewis at Welby while Nick Crouch got his first Nuthatch and second Willow Tit at Collingham and Besthorpe.

Redstart - Rhys Dandy