Spring was kind to the
contestants of the Wales Minileague where we see good ground being made on the
comparative table. No less than seven patch birders are now above 80%. Alastair
Flannagan still leads the charge from his inland Swansea Vale to Fendrod Lake patch
with 85.7% where Glaucous Gull was a patch tick plus his third patch record of
Redstart provided added value. Close behind in second and third with 84% are
Henry Cook and Julian Hughes, both patching from Conwy RSPB and both connecting
with a male Blue-headed Wagtail and a colour-ringed Twite there. Henry edges just
ahead on the table with a Spotted Redshank.
colour-ringed Twite at Conwy RSPB © Henry Cook
Peter Howlett jumped from eight
to fourth at his Green minileague Cardiff Bay patch, finishing on 83% by the months
end thanks to 19 species added including Iceland Gull, Short-eared Owl, Yellow
Wagtail and Whinchat.
The same names crop up in the
Wales Points Minileague during April. Richard Dobbins and Wendy James occupy
first and second place again at the productive site of Teifi where a White
Stork was a great find by Richard and also seen by Wendy. Barry Stewart
increased his points total at Burry Inlet by 34 with Garganey, Little Gull,
Yellow Wagtail and Razorbill taking him to 147 points and third place.
Thirteen patch birders are now
above 100 points which is no surprise given the list of highlights reported to
us at the end of April. Yellow Wagtails, Grasshopper Warblers and Whimbrel were
popular along with Ring Ouzel at Little Orme (Henry Cook) and another Ring
Ouzel, Osprey and Pied Flycatcher at Ogmore Estuary (Paul Roberts). Kentish
Plover was a fine patch tick for David Carrington at Sker and Kenfig in
addition to other highlights such as Garganey and Little Tern.
The PWC favourite #patchgold species, Coot, was a patch
tick for Martin Bell at Parc Taf Bargoed and Coed Cefn Forest. Long live the Coot!
Long-eared Owl and Short-eared Owl at River Clwyd estuary © Chris Jones
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