Inland South - September 2016

Ortolan - Nick Croft at Wanstead

Stephanie starts to find herself being closed down at the top of the comparative minileague after a second blank month. Tim Farr springs from fifth to second thanks to a double dose of bonus points for Pectoral Sandpiper and Blue-headed Wagtail. Dropping to third is Richard Scantlebury in Bristol who fails to add this month. Roger Murfitt becomes the seventh member of the 100% club this month thanks to the first site Curlew Sandpiper in 9 years at Moor Green Lakes. There are a further 9 patchers in the 90%+ bracket so expect further additions next time out.

Tom Raven reclaims top spot at Shapwick Heath/Ham Wall after the additions of Pectoral Sandpiper and Black-necked Grebe although there were no bonus points this time. Still no further update from Brendan Sheils at Trent Manor farm but he remains in second whilst at Blagdon, Nigel Milbourne is in third place after usurping Ian Bennell. Nigel added the third site record of Spoonbill this month.

Spotted Flycatcher - Chris Bessant at Maple Cross

Elsewhere there was an Ortolan found by Nick Croft at Wanstead. Adam Bassett had a Brent Goose and Jack Snipe at Little Marlow GPs and Chris Bessant had a Spotted Flycatcher at Maple Cross. At Grimsbury, Gareth Blockley managed to connect with his first Marsh Tit in three years. James McCulloch had a Black Tern at Hedgecourt NR on the lake. Redstart and Garganey were Marek Walford's star birds this month at Dinton pastures. Martin Kettell gets in on the act with a patch Bar-tailed Godwit as did Steve Chastell whilst Roger Hicks also got in on the waders with Greenshank and a patch first Grey Plover. Martin Wood scored with a Little Gull which was his first on patch at Longham Lakes. Finally at Puddletown there was a Wryneck for Ollie Thomas but alas just the three points this time.