November proved to be an interesting month throughout the inland north minileague with a number of patchers adding new birds and some nice scarcities on offer across the region. The unbridled highlight of the month has to be the American Golden Plover unearthed by Tom Lowe at Goole Fields while a fly-over Waxwing for Damien Money was the highlight of his month at Skelton. Elsewhere Bill Aspin nabbed his first Black Redstart in seventeen years at Brockholes and Duncan Bye landed no less than three patch ticks at Wheldrake ings in the form of Cetti's Warbler, Barnacle Goose and White-Fronted Goose respectively. James Common also finally caught up with the longstaying Slavonian Grebe on his Stobswood patch in Northumberland. Elsewhere in the league other goodies included a ringtail Hen Harrier for Steven Ward, Firecrest for Phil Woollen, Caspian Gull for Tom Lowe and finally two Short-Eared Owls for David McGrath at Marton Mere. Examples of #patchgold were also rife throughout November with Mike Pilsworth adding both Shoveler and Goosander to his year list and Nick Morgan notching Wigeon at Ainderby Steeple.
Looking first at the comparative league and last months top three have been shaken up somewhat as Steven Ward overtakes Nick Morgan to claim the top spot with the help of four species and five points at Hawes River Ure. Nick Tonge remains rooted in third place while Keith Dickinson and James Common retain their positions in fourth and fifth. Further down the table Mark Reeder hops ahead of Andy Bunting to claim sixth position.
In the points league things remain largely the same with Darren Starkey still firmly grounded in first place followed by Garry Taylor and Andy Bunting. Eight competitors have now surpassed the coveted 100% milestone this month and with numerous others within striking distance it looks as if the final month of the year could see many more climbing to similar heights.
No comments:
Post a Comment