Inland East Anglia Minileague - October 2016

Although Adam Nicholls didn't add a point during October he is still out on top with what looks like an unassailable lead. Nick Moran is now his closest challenger thanks to his first Crossbills in 3 years on patch and a Ring Ouzel. James Emerson also added a Ring Ouzel this month, a cracking record for Whitlingham C.P. Ben Moyes probably had the best month out of everyone as his patch in the Gipping Valley played host to a Black-bellied Dipper and Great White Egret. His place in 4th is well and truly up for grabs though with a mere 0.66% seperating him and Jim Bradley in 6th!

No changes at the top in the points league as everyone finds it hard to add points late in the year so its looking good for Ben Lewis to finish on top this year, or will Luke or Jamie have a great final winter period? The highlight of month has to be the influx of Yellow-browed Warblers into the inland patches. It must be a bird on all inland patchers radar but it still must be a buzz to see one away from the coast and fortunately 5 East Anglia patches score one. Joe Harkness and Terry Stopher had the joy of finding one on patch (Joe also saw a Great Grey Shrike, an excellent inland duo!) and Irene Boston, Rob Pople and Ben Lewis also saw one on patch.

The second winter period is well under way and an excellent chance for inland patches to catch up with species they missed earlier in the year, there are still pints out there waiting to be found......hopefully!

Coastal East Anglia Minileague - October 2016

The top of the comparative table has a very familiar look as the top three remain the same, all adding 9-11% in October, James Brown in particular having a busy month, finding 2 Dusky Warbler and Great Grey Shrike, seeing another GGS plus Pallas's Warbler. Scott Mayson added some bonus points with Yellow-browed Warbler and Sabine's Gull but his highlight of the month was a Moorhen! Ryan Irvine was the biggest mover this month adding 28% and leaping up to 4th place adding 4 full fat patch ticks, Bearded Tit, Hawfinch, Sabine's Gull and Little Egret. Nigel Lound stays in 7th despite adding 11% with a 3rd ever patch Puffin outshining the Pallas's Warbler and Red-flanked Bluetail on his patch.

James Brown's lead at the top of the points league has been cut to a miserly 35 pts as Ryan Irvines great October pushed him up to 2nd place. Nigel Lound stays in the podium positions, leap frogging Justin Zantboer. Justin must be one of the unluckiest PWC competitors as he drops two places despite seeing Stegneger's Stonechat and Blyth's Reed Warbler on his patch during October! Paul Eele makes up the top 5 with bird of the month at Titchwell, a Dusky Warbler, a reserve tick. Irene Boston also jumps a couple places, enjoying the Yellow-browed Warbler and Waxwings influxes on her patches. A final special mention to James Appleton who was the envy of everyone along teh coast when he picked up the Black-browed Albatross not long after it had been seen off Cley. Excellent work James!

Estuarine Minileague - October 2016

October was a busy month in the Estuarine Minileague with rafts of scarce birds featuring in the reported highlights by patch contestants. 

Ian Ballam continues at the top of the comparative league with one of a number of Yellow-browed Warblers reported in the Estuarine league this month, this one at his Lychett Bay patch. Other additions were patch firsts in the form of Golden Plover and Whooper Swan.

Paul Freestone is in second place, just over 2% behind Ian. Paul spent some of October on Scilly, so was relieved to find the Franklin's Gull at the Hayle Estuary had decided to hang around for his return! Shaun Robson who also birds Lytchett is in third with plenty of YBW action and a Ring Ouzel, less than annual at the site.

In total, ten patches have beaten the 100% mark, great news for them but making #PWC2017 a tougher prospect with a higher comparative to aim at.

In the points league, long term leader Dave Craven has finally been displaced by the Wash reserves who have been waiting in the wings all year. Paul Sullivan had an excellent month with Glossy Ibis getting bonus points and a quality supporting cast including Sooty Shearwater, Firecrest, Long-tailed Duck, Long-Billed Dowitcher, YBW, Grey Phalarope and Black-necked Grebe. A pretty decent haul which sees him on 272 points from 187 species.

It is harsh on Dave Craven to be displaced in a month where he was in fine form himself. Pectoral Sandpiper and YBW both brought bonus points to the west coast, the latter a patch tick involving more than ten birds to Hale and Pickerings Pasture including five on one day. Gannet and Guillemot provided a coastal flavor whilst Hawfinch and Cetti's Warbler were second and third records for Dave there.

Toby Collett moves into the top three pushing Howard Vaughan into fourth. Toby scored bonus points for a very showy Long-billed Dowitcher as well as enjoying many of the birds noted earlier. Howard himself had a fine month, although he had to visit on the days he wasn't working on patch to get Cattle Egret and Dusky Warbler, the latter on the second record for London. He also had a few two pointers including Woodlark and Hen Harrier.



Cattle Egret at Rainham Marshes (c) Howard Vaughan

Max Hellicar also got in on the Rainham action with the Dusky and Cattle Egret. Meanwhile Yellow-browed Warblers made the day of seven patchers after easterlies brought many of these stunning Sibes to UK. Yellow-browed Warbler and Great White Egret are two of the more likely bonus pointers, and two more patchers got in on the GWE action with birds at Sharpness and Saul Warth. A number of Long-tailed Ducks made appearances across the UK in the month, and the Estuarine league didn't miss out with birds at Frampton and Saltholme. Elliot Montieth at Birkenhead Docks scored a patch first Firecrest, but his main highlight was the fall of his target bird for the year, a Leach's Petrel which put in an appearance after strong north-westerlies.

Final mention has to go to Simon Brebner who had a superb month at Paull Holme Strays. After just one species added in a quiet September, he added eleven species in October including all four skuas on the same day. When the weather is right, seabirds will make their way up the Humber, but to get all four skuas including a patch first Long-tailed is great going.

Coastal Scotland Minileague - October 2016

For some, the rarities were flowing in the Coastal Scotland Minileague in October.

Geoff Morgan played a blinder, with bonus points bagged for Blyth's Reed Warbler and Great Grey Shrike at Barns Ness. Also on his patch this month were Dusky Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher and a fall of Pallas's Warblers! Despite dipping Olive-Backed Pipit and Radde's Warbler it still made for a sensational few weeks on the patch.

Bird of the month however graced Andrew Whitehouse's Girdle Ness patch where he caught up with a stunning Daurian Shrike! 

Daurian Shrike at Girdle Ness (c) Andrew Whitehouse

Chris Rodger's lead in the comparative minileague with 125.6% looks unassailable with just two months to go. The highlight at his Musselburgh patch was a Snow Bunting, a real sign that winter is on the way.

Meanwhile, Mike Hodgkin stole a march on Stephen Welch, putting a bit of distance between second and third with a patch first Shore Lark at Aberlady Bay plus a Tawny Owl, the first in the two years doing PWC.

 

Colin Davison's frustrations were reflected in his highlights, where despite bonus points for a Yellow-browed Warbler, the rares turning up elsewhere on the coast were not reflected on his Scoughall patch. Consequently Geoff Morgan takes the top spot in the points league with a healthy 12 point gap. Mike Hodgkin makes up the top three.

Now four contestant over 200 points here while we await an update from Mark Lewis who is bound to brake through into the big leagues.

Jim Dickson at Crinan Canal Corridor also had a Yellow-browed Warbler in the last year that this little sprite will attract the bonus points. White-tailed Eagle also featured in his list of highlights from Argyll.

Much to his relief, Jonathan Clarke finally got Black-tailed Godwit at Whiteness Head after a long wait!

Inland Scotland Minileague - October 2016

All but one patch contestant in the Inland Scotland Minileague are now in the 90% range for the year but none have hit 100% as yet. 

Yellow-browed Warbler at Old Nisthouse (c) Alastair Forsyth (check out his blog)

With two months to go, Chris Pendlebury's first place Blairdrummond patch is just a one pointer away from the ton, but no additions in October continues the frustration. Will it fall?

Graeme Garner at Cambus is in second with 95.6% and Chris P's Stirling patch makes up the top three just a fraction of a percent behind. It is tight through, just a single Waxwing could change everything!

Alastair has the advantage over David Douglas in the points minileague. Old Nisthouse had a good month with four different Yellow-browed Warblers and Siberian Chiffchaff all earning bonus points. Perhaps best of all though was a patch tick Mistle Thrush while a Siberian Accentor made for a delightful distraction (albeit a 35 min drive away from the patch).

No additions at Loch Leven this month mean that a seven point gap has opened up. Graeme Garner at Cambus completes the top three.

Chris had a European White-fronted Goose at Dunblane, just a second patch record. Meanwhile Andy Cage was drawing a blank in October until a last ditch Twite on the 30th meant he had points to add to the total. Mike Hodgkin managed to get both patch and garden tick with a Barnacle Goose providing a taste of winter whilst a patch tick Spotted Flycatcher was an adios to the summer at Stirling for Chris. 

Finally, Geoff Morgan added that most fantastic of ducks, Mandarin at Liberton and a Treecreeper was the highlight of the month for Jonathan Clarke at Croy.

Islands Minileague - October 2016

What a month! October is a superb time to be on the islands and this year they did not disappoint with some notable movement in the minileague table rankings as well as a host of rare and scarce highlights.

Steve Minton at Scatness took his comparative score to a crazy 140% with new birds added to his rarity roll-call including Pied Wheatear, Richard's Pipit, Olive-Backed Pipit, Bean Goose and Hawfinch. He now has his first place position in the league sealed it seems but there is plenty to play for in the podium spots which have seen a major change this month.

Sean Morris at Kilmory added Jack Snipe, Ring Ouzel and Waxwing for handy two pointers, putting himself in third  on 111% while Steve Stansfield rockets into second place (from fourteenth!) on 119% after an epic month on Bardsey (see below for details). 

Six patchers have beaten their comparative target now, with a number just shy of the mark who will be looking for a few late winter additions.

Pied Wheatear at Scatness (c) Steve Minton

October on Bardsey was mind-blowing! Aside from obvious highlight of Black-browed Albatross which was scoped from the Obs garden ('nuff said!), there was records of Radde's, Pallas's and Yellow-browed Warblers, Little Bunting and Sabine's Gull as well as finders points for Richard's Pipit and Red-breasted Flycatcher. This treasure trove of goodies puts Steve to the top of the table with 368 points (and with a PPB score of 2.19), moving John Bowler into second place, 36 points behind. 

Pallas's Warbler at Bardsey (c) Steve Stansfield

John had an excellent month himself. A Blyth's Reed Warbler gave him eight points plus six each for Red-breasted Flycatcher and American Golden Plover. He also had a bumper pack of eleven Yellow-browed's in a record autumn for them on Tiree.

Steve Minton completes the top three on 280 points. Have the leaders secured the top spots for the remainder of the year?

There were plenty of other highlights in the month too. Pallas's Warblers made for a nice upgrade on Yellow-browed Warbler for Jason Moss on Skomer. A Serin was also an excellent addition to his yearlist and Long-tailed Duck, Lapland Bunting and Sooty Shearwater were all handy two pointers. It is always a pleasure to nail your bogey bird, and after missing several over the last three years particular pleasure was gained in unblocking Little Egret for his island list.

The weather conditions have been ripe for bringing birds in from the east. Common Rosefinch was a welcome bonus pointer for Bruce Taylor at Brevig. Little Bunting was also a fine addition as he passed the double century for the year. Also a Waxwing here raises the hopes of a mega Waxwing year all round, it has been a while and these beauties really do cheer up any grey winter day!

Alastair Forsyth unearthed an Olive-backed Pipit at Birsay whilst the Eastern Yellow Wagtail at Balvanich was an absolute belter for Stuart Taylor even if not a find.

Finally... a bit of #patchgold. Always the quirk of islands, they can turn up the rares but sometimes the mundane on the mainland is equally exciting. A Blue Tit on Tiree was a highlight for John Bowler but this months #patchgold award goes to Alastair Forsyth for his patch lifer Dunnock at Birsay. In a month where its Siberian cousin has been making all of the headlines, it is great to see that our own version can still create its own excitement.

Coastal Ireland Minileague - October 2016

The Coastal Ireland Minileague got in on some rare passerine action during the month of October.

Checking the coastal scrub at Irishtown Nature Park proved fruitful for Noel Keogh who added two Yellow-browed Warblers and a Ring Ouzel to his South Dublin Bay list, great finds on the edge of the capital. This puts him on 118.9%, comfortably in the lead with Richard Donaghey still in second on 103.5% and Eleanor Keane still in third now on 100.8%. Richard chanced upon a pair of roosting Long-eared Owls at the Bann Estuary while Eleanor added Red-throated Diver, Black-tailed Godwit and Bar-tailed Godwit to her list at Killiney Hill to Dun Laoghaire coast.

Tim Murphy makes a bold move from twelfth to sixth place at St John's Point where an absolutely cracking find in the form of Red-flanked Bluetail (along with Glossy Ibis and Sabine's Gull) propelled him from 78.6% at the end of September up to 94.8%. The bluetail represents the first record for Northern Ireland and did the honourable thing, hanging around for a few days, allowing many to twitch and enjoy this incredible bird.

Best Find of 2016 for the Ireland Minileagues?

Red-flanked Bluetail at St John's Point (c) James O'Neill

Tim's good fortunes also manifest themselves in the Points Minileague where he takes second place from Dave Suddaby at Blacksod, but only by a matter of a slightly higher points per bird score.

Tacumshin still provides the goods for Noel Keogh who remains at the top of the table here now on 160 species and 243 points thanks to a juvenile Long-billed Dowitcher, some patch scarce Goldeneye and getting in on finders points for Cattle Egret with a flock of five now present there.

Julian Wyllie is having a good second half of the year at Baltimore, now over 100 species and 150 points with Buzzard, Green Sandpiper and Siberian Chiffchaff added in October. Neal Warnock's trips to Rathlin Island provided him with eleven year ticks including Snow Bunting, Twite and #patchgold Mistle Thrush (the first for eight years there!) while he was also relieved to finally add Kestrel at Larne Lough.

Long-tailed Duck takes Derek Polley over the 100 species mark at RSPB Belfast Harbour & Kinnegar and at Dundalk Bay, Jen Lynch sends us a score for her first year of patching there which included a surprise Glossy Ibis back in September.

Twite at Rathlin (c) Neal Warnock

Inland Ireland Minileague - October 2016

The purple patch for Michael John O'Mahony at Upper Rathudff continues with Teal and Lapwing added in October which ensures his lead at the top of the Inland Ireland Comparative Minileague for another month, now over 115%.

Alan Lauder mopped up Yellowhammer and Fieldfare for the year at Carrick Mountain but it was the sound of some Greenland White-fronted Geese migrating at night over his house which helped take him past the comp score target and finish on 104% by the months end. With a few more likely species still to get, Alan stands a chance at making a move on third or second place depending on how other contestants get on on the final months of the year.

Sparrowhawk at Upper Rathduff (c) Michael John O'Mahony (flickr page)

We see no change in the Points Minileague rankings with the only other mentions of new species added as per the score submission form updates including Skylark at Carrigmore for Christian Osthoff and Teal at Grand Canal Way for Ian Stevenson. 

Teal at Upper Rathduff (c) Michael John O'Mahony (flickr page)

Wales Minileague - October 2016

Mike Cram made the most of the fine weather during October with three weekend visits to Broughton and Llangennith which produced no less than sixteen (16!) year ticks during a fantastic purple patch which saw him add some goodies such as Hobby, two Black Redstarts and Water Rail. The result of this is a very impressive 142.7% which puts Mike firmly in the lead on the Wales Comparative Minileague table. With a margin of over 20% between first and second place, it seems Mike may have it all sewn up here unless the Conwy boys can manage something spectacular between now and the 31st Dec!

A Hoopoe at RSPB Conwy was the first for the reserve and a fine treat for patch duo Julian Hughes and Henry Cook, as well as the local Peregrine! Julian's second place position at 118% is safe for another month while Henry remains in third on 115%.

Trevor Fletcher connects with a patch tick Yellow-browed Warbler (all the rage these days!) at Rudry Common and also a #patchgold Rook taking him over the ton and into third place with 109%, moving ahead of Alison C and Peter Howlett.

Hoopoe at RSPB Conwy (c) Henry Cook (flickr page)

The top of the points minileague table looks rather similar again this month but we see David Carrington jump from ninth to sixth place at Sker & Kenfig where a Baird's Sandpiper and a Yellow-browed Warbler helped him reach 165 points from 130 species by the months end.

Yellow-browed Warblers feature heavily in the Wales Minileague during October with a total of seven patch birders reporting them as part of their highlights for the month. In addition to Sker & Kenfig and Rudry Common, these delightful Siberian gems were also seen at WWT Llanelli, Little Orme, Cosmeston and Lavernock, Rhyl and Ogmore Estuary.

Other notable mentions for the month included a Wryneck at Paul Robert's Ogmore Estuary patch, Crossbill and Brambling for Peter Howlett at Cardiff Bay, a Merlin at Lavernock for Ceri Jones, Eider, Curlew Sandpiper, Mediterranean Gull and Peregrine for Chris Jones at River Clywd estuary and a Kestrel at Brynna Woods for Tony Swann.

Ceri Jones breaks the 20,000 records mark submitted to BirdTrack during October with over 1,300 complete lists while the overall tally for the minileague comes to 68,241 records from 3,171 complete lists.

Under 25 Minileague - October 2016

Amy Robjohns consolidates her position at the top of the Under 25 comparative minileague on 138%. This month she adds Yellow-browed Warbler and Brambling. Ash Baines cut Amy's lead to 18% as he found three Yellow-browed Warblers and a flock of nine Great White Egrets as well as adding Barnacle and Brent Geese. Ben Moyes moves over the 100% mark and into third place thanks to a Great White Egret and Black-bellied Dipper combo. Espen Quinto-Ashman also joins the 100 club after adding Bearded Tit and Great White Egret.  

Black-bellied Dipper - Ben Moyes

Perhaps the best ever autumn at Spurn draws to a close as I write and Tim Jones was central to it, seeing plenty and whilst the Siberian Accentor and Eastern Black Redstart were off-patch he did manage to find an Olive-backed Pipit as well as seeing Pine Bunting, Red-flanked Bluetail, Stejneger's Stonechat, Isabelline Wheatear, Rustic Bunting, Radde's Warbler, Pallas's Warbler and plenty more besides. This haul sees him on a titanic 406 points, 145 ahead of Joe Stockwell in second place. Joe himself adds six points after unearthing seven Yellow-browed Warbler s on patch. Amy remains in third.

Elsewhere there were further Yellow-browed Warblers for Dan Rouse and Elliot Montieth at WWT Llanelli and Birkenhead Docks respectively. At Frampton, Jack Dawson managed to connect with the Long-billed Dowitcher and Black-necked Grebe whilst at Luke Nash at Cley to Kelling saw the Desert Wheatear and Dusky Warbler that were present. Will Scott managed a nice haul at Humanby, topped off by a Balearic Warbler, Slavonian Grebe and Scaup. There were Hen Harriers for George Dunbar and Edward Betteridge and Max Hellicar saw Cattle Egret and Dusky Warbler at Rainham Marshes.

Inland South Minileague - October 2016

Tree Sparrow - Chris Bessant

Stephanie Brown remains top of the Inland South comparative minileague despite no further additions in October. Her score of 120% for her Twyford patch is still 3% clear of Tim Farr. Tim had an excellent October at Sutton Bingham Reservoir with highlights including Siberian Chiffchaff, Red-legged Partridge (3rd patch record), White-fronted Goose (2nd patch record) plus Barnacle Goose and Goosander. Richard Scantlebury also makes progress as he holds third on 111% with Water Rail his highlight. There were no new centurions this month but a number of contestants are very close with seven over 97%.

Tom Raven fails to add in October as he remains on 167 points. Nigel Milbourne closes the gap on his local rival as a White-tailed Eagle in the Poldens graces his Blagdon Lake patch to move up to second. Brendan Shiels again makes no further additions and risks falling fro the podium as Ian Bennell gains ground.

Ian Bennell had an Aythya month to remember as he added Ring-necked Duck and Ferruginous Duck although it was just three point rations. Adam Bassett also got involved in the Aythya fun with a Scaup at Little Marlow. Nick Croft caught up with Hawfinch and Woodlark but missed the first Wanstead Great Grey Shrike in 40 years. At East Verwood, Mark Andrew's had a quartet of Spoonbills overflying his garden and finally at Stoke Newington there was a Ring Ouzel for Chris Farthing.

Coastal South Minileague - October 2016

No bonus points for Amy but she adds 6 points and 3% to move to 138% by the end of October at Titchfield Haven. She adds Yellow-browed Warbler, Brambling and Goosander this month. Paul Freestone moves up from fifth to second at Gwithian this month after finding Isabelline Wheatear to go with Wryneck and Rose-coloured Starling taking his score to 121%. In third place is Dick Best who falls one place despite adding 2%. Paul Bowerman and Mark Lawlor both move over the 100% mark with Paul adding Crane and Mark finding a Yellow-browed Warbler. 

Isabelline Wheatear at Gwithian - Paul Freestone

Joe Stockwell extends his lead to 6 points at Ferrybridge to Weymouth and this month after finding 7 Yellow-browed Warblers. Amy remains in second place on 255 points and is 18 clear of Paul Bowerman in third. Paul ensured that all three members of the top three added Yellow-brow this month as well as Ring Ouzel and Black Redstart for his personal list.

Find of the month obviously is Paul Freestone's Isabelline Wheatear which was the second for Cornwall. Elsewhere there were bonus points for Sean Foote who added Greenish Warbler, a Cattle Egret for Joe Cockram at WWT Steart and a Great Grey Shrike for Andy Johnson at Sandy Point. Andy also gained 6 points for a Yellow-browed Warbler.

Midlands Minileague - October 2016

Craig Round's vismig Great Grey Shrike at Lutley Wedge

Tom Shields moves up from third to first place in the comparative Midlands minileague table. He moves on to 118% thanks to additions in the form of Slavonian Grebe and Woodcock. Nick Crouch holds second place on 117% at Collingham and Besthorpe having also added Slavonian Grebe as well as Brambling, Rock Pipit and Water Rail. Laurie Ison moves up from sixth to third this month in an incredibly tight leave. He sits on 116% having added Bittern and Water Pipit. Steven Lewis and Espen Quinto-Ashman are the newest 100%ers and both stormed past this mark.

Erik Ansell leads on 211 points at Rutland Water having gained three points in October for Little Gull and Rock Pipit. Steve Nuttall at Belvide Reservoir stays in touch on 209 points after an eclectic haul of Purple Sandpiper, Mandarin, Hawfinch, Firecrest and Rock Pipit. Rod Baker adds five points but slips into third place.

There were two sets of bonus points for Yellow-browed Warbler this month as Ben Ward managed the first record for Whisby Nature Reserve and Andy Mackay got in on the act at Eyebrook Reservoir. There was a Great White Egret for Andy Sims at Boultham Mere and a Great Grey Shrike for Matthew Dick at Darley Dale. Perhaps the most remarkable record this month was a vismig Great Grey Shrike captured on camera by Craig Round at Lutley Wedge.

Steve Nuttall's Purple Sandpiper at Belvide Reservoir

Other notable birds included Lapland Bunting and Hooded Crow for Rhys Dandy at Cropston and Swithland and Espen Quinto-Ashman's haul of Great White Egret, Bearded Tit, Cetti's Warbler and White-fronted Goose at Wellington GPs. Steven Lewis added White-fronted Goose at Welby and finally and Toby Carter had his first Mediterranean Gull at Grimston.

Inland North Minileague - October 2016

Bearded Tit - Duncan Bye (Wheldrake Ings)

Still no change at the top of the Inland North comparative table as David Franklin sits pretty but another month of no additions for him at both Campsall and Askern leaves him vulnerable with the vultures starting to gather with John Law in third just 1% behind and Duncan Bye just a further 3% back. John this month added Rock Pipit to keep up the pressure with his Wath Ings patch. 

John Law continues at the top but he is now sharing it with Mark Reeder who adds four points this month for Pintail, Knot and Twite. Duncan Bye at Wheldrake is just a further two points behind in third place level with Andy Bunting's Martin Mere WWT patch. Duncan added his first Wheldrake Jack Snipe and Bearded Tits as part of a notable eruption this autumn. It should also be noted that Brockholes hovers just 3 points behind the podium places. What can Bill do to close the gap?

The only bonus points this month were for a Yellow-browed Warbler in Stephen Dunstan's garden. There was a male Hen Harrier for Alan Todd at Mootlaw Quarry and a radio tagged juvenile for George Dunbar at Woolston Eyes. Pete Antrobus had a Jack Snipe at Neumann's Flashes and there was a White-fronted Goose for Peter Williams at North Cave Wetlands. A Tree Sparrow at Tindale Tarn was a patch tick for Stephen Westerberg and Findlay Wilde had his first patch Firecrest at Winsford Flash.