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!