Wales Minileague - March 2016

Alastair Flannagan and Trevor Fletcher both make it into the 70% bracket during March in the Wales Comparative Minileague. Alastair continues his reign in first place where his earliest patch Sand Martin (6^th March) brought him to 76% at Swansea Vale to Fendrod Lake. A pair of Tufted Ducks in a moate (!) at Rudry Common were a most welcome #fullfatpatchtick for Trevor Fletcher who sits in second place at 72%.

Chris Jones gains 9% at Llysfaen and moves into third place while some Lesser-spotted Woodpeckers at Brynna Woods help Tony Swann jump from seventh to fourth.

A hefty 20 point gain ensures Richard Dobbins remains in first place in the Wales Points Minileague for another month. Coot and Tufted Duck were some proper #patchgold for him at Teifi. Also patching at Teifi is Wendy James who takes second place this month with her star bird being a Common Scoter at the mouth of the estuary. Steady in third place is Ceri Jones at Comeston, Sully and Lavernock where a Firecrest was highlight of the month. 

Ceri is a stalwart BirdTrack contributor with over 200 complete lists and over 4,500 records submitted during PWC so far. Overall, BirdTrack'ing in the Wales minileague is something to be envious of... fast closing in on 800 complete lists and 20,000 records!

Chough © Henry Cook

Spring migrants were thin on the ground, Dan Rouse logging a Willow Warbler at WWT Llanelli and a Common Tern at Morfas Bacas while Alex Jones connected with a Common Sandpiper at Rhyl (along with an Iceland Gull) and David Carrington getting in on the action with Garganey at Sker and Kenfig (which also happens to be the top scoring inland site in the minileague).

The best of the rest included an Avocet at Aberthaw (David Pritchard), a fine trio of Slavonian Grebe, Velvet Scoter and Firecrest at Little Orme (Henry Cook) and a further Firecrest at Ogmore Estaury (Paul Roberts).