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.