Inland East Anglia Minileague - April 2016

April was obviously a good month for the Norwich area as both Adam Nicholls and James Emerson break the 100% and take the top 2 spots, Adam helped by several patch ticks including Common Sandpiper and Grasshopper Warbler. Nick Moran remains in third place after another good month with 2nd patch records of Iceland Gull and Sandwich Tern, both excellent inland records. The other big mover of the month was Jim Bradley as he finally picked up a Crane at Surlingham.

The Nunneries Sandwich Tern!

The points league also has a new leader as Ben Lewis, thanks to a Firecrest (2nd patch record!), Green-winged Teal and many migrants, leaps from 4th to first. Luke Wake drops to second place despite adding 28 points during the month. Jamie Wells and his big hitting Paxton Pits patch moves into the top three as April gave him an unexpected seabird, an Arctic Skua.

Many patchers managed to find some patch ticks throughout the month, Rob Pople managed to find a Cetti's Warbler at Milton CP, Irene Boston lucked in on a fly over Raven (a great county bird!) at Dersingham Bog and Terry Stopher managed to find a Ring Ouzel at Livermere. There were also a few bits of pure patch gold as Rob Lucking had a Shelduck on his Colkirk patch, Stuart Reeves picked out a Wheatear at Mutford.

First heard in January at Mid Yare RSPB, Ben Lewis finally managed to photograph this Penduline Tit in April!