Monday 19 October 2015

Inland South Minileagues - September 2015

At the end of August, a total of three PWC contestants in the Inland South Minileague had reached or surpassed their 100% comp score targets. By the end of September we see this total rise to six.

Tom Raven stays in first place at Shapwick Heath/Ham Wall, with five new species including Glossy Ibis and a self-found Cattle Egret boosting him from 112% to 121.65%. With an impressive list of waterbirds, this site is starting to look more and more like the Camargue!

The addition of 13 new species in September for Josie Hewitt sees her Blackbushe Airfield patch leap from seventh to second place with a comp score of 110%. Pied Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher, Redstart and Wheatear were all welcome migrants for Josie, the sole representative of NGB in the Inland South minileague. Currently on 93 species and 102 points, will she make it to 100 species by the end of the year?

Tom Stevenson does well to hold on to third place at Ewelme Watercress Beds where a #fullfatpatchtick Spotted Flycatcher was among four new species added in September, bringing him to 107.5%. Neil Burt closes the gap and edges in at fourth place, just behind Tom. Neil had a great month at Conningbrook Lakes where a Pectoral Sandpiper was a top find indeed.

Both Roger Hicks and Tim Farr are on the brink of reaching 100% at their Henlow Grange and Sutton Bingham Reservoir patches. Merlin and Otter were highlights for Roger while Tim connected with a superb Honey Buzzard and Yellow Wagtail.

Cattle Egret at Ham Wall © Tom Raven


No less than fifteen contestants on the Inland South Points Minileague table have species lists of over 100 and a total of sixteen people are above 100 points. The top six show similar species lists, in the high 120's. Tom Raven's bounty of self-found bonus point scorers through the year has ensured he's well ahead in first place on 191 points. It would be great to see him break the 200 point barrier before the end of the year.

Both Lee Evans and Nigel Milbourne have moved up the table and are just a point away from each other with Lee holding second place at Tring Reservoirs and Nigel in third at Blagdon Lake. 

Ospreys, Black-tailed Godwits, Ruff, Whinchats, Lesser Redpolls and Siskin proved popular for Inland South patch birders in September. Blackwit was a #fullfatpatchtick for Gareth Blockley at Grimsbury Reservoir

The sterling BirdTrack effort made by contestants in this league continues with Roger Hicks at Henlow Grange leading the way on nearly 8000 records and over 300 lists.


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