Inland South Minileague - March 2016

Stephanie Brown has added a further 17 points in March to lead with 91% at Twyford over last months table topper, Richard Scantlebury. Stephanie's highlights include Lesser Redpoll and Yellowhammer. Ian Bennell is in third on a stunning 88.5% as his new addition to the family hasnt yet put the breaks on. This month he lists Grey Partridge which was a patch tick and Little Owl, a long awaited returner, as his highlights.

After getting bonus points for refinding the Bonaparte's Gull earlier in the year at Tring, Lee Evans adds 11 points this month including a few early migrants to hold onto top spot by a narrow margin with a trio of patchers lined up four points back. Tom Raven starts his challenge at the Somerset Carmargue with bonus points coming in the form of Ring-necked Duck which did the decent thing and relocated from Glastonbury. Tom also added Short-eared Owl which was one of the few species that avoided him last year. Joining Tom in second is Nick Croft who added Hooded Crow for the second year running at Wanstead along with an early Wheatear, Ian Bennell is the third part of the chasing pack at Tring.

Hooded Crow, Wanstead - Nick Croft

This month saw the arrival of the first hirundines, Little Ringed Plovers and Wheatears across the region whilst early breeding scarcities like Cetti's Warblers and Woodlark piped up to get points for several patchers. There were no further bonus points aside from Tom's Yank quack. Other highlights include Tim Farr's first Avocet for Sutton Bingham reservoir.