September round-up 2025

Hello from the Patchwork Challenge team!

With three quarters of the year out the way, we have now entered the final quarters meaning it is crunch time! Now is the time to go out there and secure those few extra bonus points that you weren't quite expecting by finding that skulky far flung vagrant, or picking up some vismig species that you have yet to pick up like a Hawfinch amongst a flock of Redwings. There has also been a healthy arrival of Yellow-browed Warblers up and down Britain and Ireland, maybe one will turn up on your patch soon? But keep an eye out for one of its rarer cousins, with already there being Hume's and Pallas's Warbler dotted about. 

The last few days have brought a good arrival of commoner autumn migrants to the east coast of Britain, with some sites recording thousands of Redwings, Fieldfares, Starlings and Chaffinches as well as good falls of Goldcrests and Chiffchaffs. The first Jack Snipes and Woodcocks have been turning up for a little while now too. 

Curlew Sandpiper, Ben Moyes

Inland North, England: 

Ben Moyes is buiding his advantage, breaking two hundred points by the end month with 203 smashing his comparison score, which now stands at 107% - highlights included patch ticking Grey Phalarope but also Curlew Sandpiper and Black Tern. In second place Duncan Bye at Wheldrake Ings with 169 points from 140 species, the highlight of the month being a nice early Water Pipit. Ciaran Rowett at Martin Mere on 164 points life ticked Glossy Ibis, September having been the month to obtain Glossy Ibis on your patch year lists nationally. Lee Wiseman at Gouthwaite Reservoir came very close to smashing the 100% barrier in comparitive score with 99%. His impressive list of highlights included patch ticking a Hawfinch but also Hen Harrier, Great White Egret and finding a flock of 13 Glossy Ibis on vismig. Mike Leakey at Bishop Middleham finished the month on 139 points, picking up Curlew Sandpiper and Spotted Redshank. Owen Tattersall at Figham Common is on 108 pts putting him on a whopping 109% comparitive score, the highlight for September being an out of place juvenile Gannet, which is photgraphed in Cliff Smith style as shown below! Paul Whitehouse at Stanley Ferry finished September just shy of 100 points on 99, however he holds the highest comparitive score of the mini-league so far with 113%! Phil Woollen at Mollington just trailing behind on 97 points. Nigel Harris at Middletons notched up 95 points, with Gadwall being a site first. 

Grey Phalarope, Ben Moyes

Gannet, Owen Tattersall

Inland Midlands, England: 

Pete Sofley added just two species/points to his year total in September with Wheatear and Rock Pipit, but he is still firmly in the lead with 168 points recorded. Steve Atkinson at Middle Tame is in second on 158 points with a comparitive score of 99%. Andy Sims at Boultham Mere/Swanpool is in third on 136 points, after picking up some bonus points with the finding of a Pectoral Sandpiper. Steve Lister at Swithland Reservoir jumped up a place and picked up a brilliant list of species with self found Glossy Ibis but also Spotted Redshank, Turnstone, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwits, Garganey and Little Gull! Putting Steve not too far behind third place after scoring 128 points, this score gives him the highest comparitive score in the league with 108%. Brian Hedley at Trent Port had a nice list of highlights with a mixture of summer and winter migrants including the first Pink-footed Geese back. Tom Shields at Colwick Park added two points to his score this month with Spotted Flycatcher and Lesser Redpoll. William Lambourne at Much Marcle reached 105 points after achieving some brilliant vismig including 602 House Martins and a Whinchat. In the 10km league, Andy Sims at Swanpool is in the lead on 159 points but by only one point with Richard Harbird at Redditch who is on 158 points with his month highlights being Little Stint and Rock Pipit. Tom Shields at Nottingham Trent Valley isn't trailing the top two by much, he is just seven points shy with 151 scores putting him on 104% comparitive score - Tom had a fantastic highlight of Manx Shearwater. Both William Lambourne at Ledbury and Steve Lister in Loughborough has also broken the 100% barrier both with 136 points, with the former recording a Wheatear on his roof but also three Whinchat in more suitable habitat. Dan Webb at Sellack is trailing just by a few points with 133. 

Pectoral Sandpiper (in front of a Ruff), Andy Sims

Inland South, England: 

Matthew Dick at Lakenheath Fen has increased his lead by a few points, he is now on 162 which pushes him over and onto 102% comparitive, his monthly highlights were Wryneck and Osprey, the former being a first record for the reserve. Geoff Wyatt at Day's Lock picked up Glossy Ibis, putting him on 144 points. There was then no ranking changes until fifth, John Pritchard gaining a point to put him on 116 points at Ver Valley. Neil Burt didn't record any new species for the year at his patch near Ashford but recorded plenty of hirundine vismig, as well as Hobby, Whinchat and Spotted Flycatcher. Gareth Blockley at Grimsbury Reservoir gained six points on last month, putting him only one point behind Neil with 111 points. Gareth recorded a few good patch records with the first Marsh Tits for the site since 2021 and Crossbills since 2020. Ian Bennell at Tring Reservoir picked up a county tick in the form of a couple of Red-throated Divers. Josh Hedley at Willen Lakes recorded no new spcies while Charlie Joseph at Weald CP & Bentley Area caught up with Spotted Flycatcher, Wheatear and Stoncechat. The only advancement in the 10km league was from Dave Helliar adding a point to his Chard patch, putting him on 100% comparitive. 

Coastal East, England: 

This league starting to come into its own as it approaches peak season, with many participants picking up plenty of points.

Jack Pettit at Spurn is still in the lead in this mini-league and nationally with 318 points scored so far, he had some nice highlights for what was actually a fairly quiet month for Spurn with Quail, Storm Petrel, Wryneck and Red-necked Phalarope. Owen Beaumont at Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe is on 249 points, gaining seven points during the month. Trevor Girling at Titchwell didn't advance his point tally while James Brown at Lowestoft is now just eleven points off third with 222, after picking up Sooty Shearwater and a huge rarity nowadays in the form of Ruddy Duck. Paul French at Easington has had a quiet month, picking up just four points during September but he does however have the highest comparitive score in the league with 108%. Stuart Ainsworth at Gibraltar Point is in sixth after having a decent month for additions including finding Glossy Ibis and Ring Ouzel. Duncan Watson had a good month, picking up his first Black Tern at his Tynemouth patch in eight years. Will Scott at Bempton Cliffs has been picking up points more frequently now, getting his score up to 169 helped by finding a Common Rosefinch. John Chapman recorded Red-breasted Flycatcher and also potentially the bird of the month on his patch, north-east South Tyneside, in the form of a Pechora Pipit! This bird became a crowd pleaser as it was the first accepted mainland Britain record since the bird in Pembrokeshire between 19th-23rd November, 2007! Putting him on 140 points by the end of the month. Paul Newton at Hawsker Bottom notched up 119 points, improving his comparitive score by 13% on August. Will Scott at Bempton Village picked up four points including a Honey Buzzard, giving him a comparitive score of 88%. Over in the 10km section of the league, Nige Lound at Gibraltar Point finished September on 270 points, leaving him in the top spot with a tweleve point margin with Paul French at Easington in second place on 258 points. James Brown at Hopton came third on 229 points, giving him the highest comparitive score of the 10km Coastal East league with 85%. Paul Newton picked up twelve points during the month, with 178 scored with a 83% comparitive. 

Pied Flycatcher, Duncan Watson

Coastal South, England: 

Jacob Spinks added twenty-two points to his score by the time September came to a close, with 293 points scored. Highlights however wasn't new additions but large numbers of more regular birds, with the highest Dungeness count of Sooty Shearwaters with 351 west on the morning of the 17th while also the incredible numbers of hirundines passing through being equally impressive. Kevin Rylands at Dawlish Warren broke the 200 points barrier, with 201 scored giving him a respectable comparitive score of 83%. He also had an outstanding list of highlights too, with his second patch tick of the year with Glossy Ibis (after Marsh Sandpiper in late August somehow missed out the report for last month) but also Sabine's Gull, Bonxie, Arctic Tern and Slavonian Grebe, the latter the first in several years. Amy Robjohns has now been knocked down to third place with 184 points at Titchfield Haven. Jonathan Burton at Chyngton Farm is settled into fourth place with 103 points scored but a nice list of goodies including Redstart, Wheatear, Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail being notables. Kevin on his other patch, Teignmouth window, has picked up a solid 91% comparitive score after seeing Caspian Gull, Balearic Shearwater, Siskin and Meadow Pipit during the month. In the 10km league, Jacob Spinks at Dungeness is now on 341 species, with all the goodies being noted inside the 3km patch. Bob Ford at Weymouth broke 200 points, with him now scoring 207 points after picking up Storm Petrel, Little Stint, Spotted Redshank and Wryneck. 

Coastal West, England: 

Sean O'Hara at Leasowe/Meols/Hoylake picked up twelve points, giving a score of 158 with a comparitive of 97%. His highlights included Wood Sandpiper amongst other passage waders while seawatching also improved with just one day bringing 15+ Leach's Petrels, Grey Phalarope and juvenile Sabine's Gull.

Leach's Petrel, Sean O'Hara

Inland Scotland: 

Unfortunatly there was no change in the scores from last month in this mini-league, however Lee Hesp reports that there are now three Beavers on his Strathyre patch!

Coastal Scotland: 

The top two patches of Rob Hughes (Nybster) and Dylan Daunt (Musselburgh) haven't added to their scores during September, though both remain in place. Andrew Whitehouse at Girdle Ness and Torry has shot up the leaderboard this month, he is now in third place with 172 points, just eight off second place, with Red-breasted Flycatcher being his highlight this month. Nina O'Hanlon at Nybster in fourth has got a brilliant comparitive score of 114%, with Sabine's Gull best. Andrew Whewell at North Berwick is comfortably in fifth place on 157 points, picking up White-tailed Eagle and Nick Littlewood at Portsoy finished September on 147 points, after having an awesome three patch ticks in the form of Little Grebe, Ruff and Treecreeper. Rob Hughes (the unstoppable force it seems this year) found a couple of great birds at his other patches, with John O'Groats picking up Red-flanked Bluetail (very scarce this autumn thus far) and Red-breasted Flycatcher. In the 10km league, Rob Hughes is out front with 222 points but not ahead in comparitive, with that spot taken by Nina O'Hanlon also at Nybster who has scored 103% with 184 points. 

Wryneck, Rob Hughes (a more typical view when finding a Wryneck!)

Islands: 

John Bowler at Balephuil is still in the lead by the end of September, but the gap has closed remarkably, leaving only a one point gap with David Roche at Papa Westray on 282 points and John on 283. Both having a brilliant month for finding rare birds. 

John found Baird's and Pectoral Sandpiper, Black Tern and Barred Warbler while also seeing Glossy Ibis and White Stork although David on the other hand found Baird's, Buff-breasted and Pectoral Sandpiper, Brown Shrike, Taiga Bean Geese as headliners along with three Wrynecks just in one day amongst other scarce autumn drift migrants. Both participants have now surpassed the 100% comparitive barrier too, with John just pipping there with 104% compared to David's 102%. More good birding on a nearby Orkney island by Steve Dudley on Westray, he added six species to his patch year list, which included patch tick Wryneck and the third record of Meditteranean Gull but best of all was finding just the second record for Orkney of Franklin's Gull. Sean Morris added a few species to his Kilmory patch year list on the Isle of Rum, putting him on 125 points. In the 10km league, John Bowler on Tiree picked up a superb list of additional species away from his 10km patch including American Golden Plover, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Grey Phalarope and Turtle Dove leaving him oblitering the 300 points barrier, he is now on 312 with a comparitive score of 105%. Steve Dudley managed to add the Papay Brown Shrike, as even though it is one a different island, it is still only 7.84km from his house! This puts him in second place with 272 points and a comparitive just short of Johns, 103%. 

Baird's Sandpiper, David Roche

White Stork, John Bowler

Estuarine: 

After Gordon Hodgson's memorable year so far, he is still well clear in the top spot with 179 points scored and a brilliant comparitive score of 105%. The only change in position in this league is John Conlin-Hulme at Paull, who has jumped up to third with 131 points. Jackie Binks at Garston picked up a couple of points and is now on 125 where they noted their first Golden Plover record since 2018 #patchgold but also Wheatear and the first returning Pink-footed Geese providing the excitement.

Golden Plover, Jackie Binks

Under 25s: 

Fairly close battle for first and third considering what we have left of the autumn, it will be interesting to see how the autumn plays out!

Red-necked Phalarope, Jack Pettit

Other leagues:

Unfortunately, there was no change in any of the Welsh or Irish leagues. 

Thank you so much for reading, and please do encourage your friends to take part in next years competition, which is only a few months away now! We are already underway preparing the prizes for 2025 and the competition for 2026, but if you have some ideas you want us to think about or thoughts about ways to expand the participation of Patchwork Challenge, get in touch via the email!

Happy Birding, 

Patchwork Challenge team

August round-up 2025

Hello from the Patchwork Challenge team!

An awesome month, with autumn migration now in full swing with no stopping in sight! Some patch birders succeeded with finding some mega rare birds on their patches yielding them fifteen well earned points! This just showing that working a patch, birders will one day be justly rewarded, let that be either a national mega bird or a locally good bird that you have always wanted to grace your patch. 

Now September is underway, hopes are high for more rarity action - by the time of writing, there has been quite a few American Waders recorded in Britain and Ireland this autumn, American Goldies, Buff-breasted and Baird's Sands, Wilson's Phalaropes etc, while those westerly winds are still bringing across large numbers of good seabirds to the western coastline, as August proved! 

The autumn so far has been somewhat lacking in prolonged easterly winds, bringing drift migrants in to the majority of the east coast. The long range forecast at the moment seems to predicting a more promising outlook to East coasters come next week. The first good dumping of Yellow-browed Warblers amongst other nice September drifters could be just around the corner...

Greenish Warbler, David Roche

Inland North, England: 

Ben Moyes still holding first place in the league with 183 points at Swillington Ings. Duncan Bye at Wheldrake Ings increased his last months score by eight points, putting him on 167 points after finding Pectoral Sandpiper. Ciaran Rowwett at Martin Mere WWT is in third place with 164 points, month highlight being Red Kite. Lee Wiseman finished August in fourth on 145 points, getting a good list of highlights including Tree Pipit, Green Sandpiper, Marsh Harrier and two Greenshanks. Mike Leakey at Bishop Middleham noted Little Stint and Marsh Harrier, leaving him on 133 points. The start of a tight bit in the league with Owen Tattersall breaking the hundred points barrier, getting to 104 points this months with the hightlights being Hobby, Redstart and 29 Yellow Wagtails. Next being Paul Whitehouse at Stanley Ferry Flash on 99 points, notching up the Great White Egret and Bitterm, but also the first patch record of Green Sandpiper. There are then three other contestants in the 90 points bracket. 

Spotted Flycatcher, Owen Tattersall

Inland Midlands, England: 

Pete Sofley leading the charge in this minileague still with 166 points at Ladywalk NR. He noted a good list of species for August with Black-necked Grebe the highlight and the first there in over a decade, while Spotted Redshank was the first since 2018. Steve Atkinson on 92% comparitevly is in second at Middle Tame also picked up on Spotted Redshank, putting him on 147 points. Andy Sims at Boultham Mere came in at third with 127 points recorded. Brian Hedley at nearby Trent Port/Marton is fourth, still on 113 points. Steve Lister at Swithland Reservoir also on 92% comparative score saw two Barnacle Geese, Greenshank and a juvenile Arctic Tern finishing the month on 109 points, the same as Tom Shields at Colwick Park. Tom has now reached 100% of his comparitive score after seeing a Cattle Egret on patch this month. William Lambourne at Much Markle isn't too far behind on 102 points, picking up Whinchat and Goosander this month. 

In the 10km league, Richard Harbird at Redditch has regained the top spot with 154 points after adding species like Great White Egret, Garganey and Mandarin during the month. Andy Sims is back in second with Swanpool on 151 points. Tom Shields at Nottingham Trent Valley has scored 102% of his comparitive score already, finishing August on 148 points picking up species like Tree Pipit and Redstart. William Lambourne and Dan Webb are fourth and fifth in the league but are so close comparitively, both on 100%. William at Ledbury is on 132 points, picking up species like Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Whinchat and Goosander. Dan at Sellack saw Tree Pipit and Whinchat. 

Spoonbills with Great and Little Egrets, Andy Sims

Inland South, England:

Matthew Dick at Lakenheath has increased his lead, he is now on 155 points with Glossy Ibis and Ruddy Shelduck the latest highlights. Geoff Wyatt at Day's Lock, Oxon increased his points score by three during August, putting him on 140. Freddie Matthews' reliable third place has been rumbled, knocked to fourth by Conor Mackenzie at Sutton Courtenay who pipped him by two points, with the latter finishing on 131 with highlights of Red-crested Pochard, Greenshank and Spotted Flycatcher. Gareth Casburn at Ardley ERF just pips John Pritchard at Ver Valley to fifth place, both on 115 points, but with Gareth's 103% comparitive compared with John's 93%, means he finishes higher. Their highlights were also very similar with both having Redstart and Whinchat, but Ardley also had a juvenile Caspian Gull. Neil Burt continues his amazing year with 112 points, notching up an incredible 106% comparitive score with seven new year ticks in August with two Whinchats, two Wheatears, singles of Gadwall, Sedge Warbler and Yellow Wagtail, flocks of Sand Martins and a patch tick Ring-necked Parakeet. Gareth Blockley at Grismbury Reservoir next with 105 points. Ian Bennell is stuck on 103 points. Josh Hedley at Willen Lakes edging ever closer to the hundred mark is on 95 points, after notching up plenty of passage waders like Greenshank, Ruff, Dunlin and Black-tailed Godwit. Tom Bedford at Lye Valley records his best year yet for Yellow Wagtail and Spotted Flycatcher on his patch, with six and three records respectively although the stand out record being a flyover Tree Pipit. In the 10km league, Dave Helliar at Chard still leading, and recorded some great species like Grey Phalarope, Pied Flycather and Whinchat.

Neil Burt's inland Kent patch

Coastal East, England: 

Jack Pettit working the southern half of the Spurn Bird Observatory recording area is still leading with 290 points, highlights being both Sooty and Balearic Shearwaters, but also a Barred Warbler in the hand. Owen Beaumont at Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR is in second on 242 points, patch ticking Crane during the month. Trevor Girling is not far behind on 233 points at Titchwell Marsh RSPB, while Paul French had an amazing month putting him on 215 points, with one morning finding both Great (two) and Cory's Shearwaters flying north past his Easington patch, he also had a Wood Warbler in the garden and a flock seven Glossy Ibis over there too! James Brown came up trumps at Lowestoft with Greenish Warbler but also a Black Tern, leaving him just six points behind Paul at Easington. Stuart Ainsworth at Gibraltar Point is in sixth on 182 points, followed by Duncan Watson at Tynemouth who ended the month on 157 points, highlights including Cory's Shearwater, Pomarine Skua and Caspian Gull. 

Coastal South, England: 

Jacob Spinks at Dungeness Bird Observatory still in the lead, notching up to 271 points. Amy Robjohns tallied up 184 points to finish in second at Titchfield Haven by the end of August. Kevin Rylands at Dawlish Warren had a productive month, year ticking Roseate Tern, Balearic Shearwater, Little Stint and Treecreeper leaving him on 171 points, his window patch now on 70 points after adding Yellow-legged Gull to the year list. In the 10km league, Jacob Spinks has increased his lead to 320 points, with the major highlight being a Zitting Cisticola found by Barry Wright. Bob Ford and Amy Robjohns are still battling it out for second with Bob just pipping it still with 192 points, his month's highlight was Little Stint at Weymouth. Amy's month total was 186 points in the Solent. 

Coastal West, England: 

Sean O'Hara is still plodding along on his own in this league, but he has reached a brilliant 90% of his comparitive score with 146 points scored so far Leasowe, Meols and Hoylake. 

Estuarine: 

What a month and an unforgettable experience for Gordon Hodgson at Splatt when he found a Black-winged Kite on the 20th! This gave him the majority of his 20 points scored during August, with other highlights being Cattle Egret and Tree Pipit. Peter Hazelwood is still in second place at Oldbury Power Station with 144 points while Jackie Binks is in third place, on 123 points adding Spotted Flycatcher to the year list. 

BlueSky screenshot of Gordon's surprised post!

Garston/Oglet patch, Jackie Binks

Islands: 

Some incredible birding in this league in August, just showing the awesomeness of birding an island! John Bowler at Balephuil has now reached 235 points this year, giving him 86% comparitive. His list of highlights include Wilson's Petrel from a land based seawatch; the first recorded as such on Tiree, Melodious Warber which was just the second for Tiree as well as Sabine's Gull, Little Stint and Sooty Shearwater. David Roche trailing behind by only eight points with 227 scored on Papa Westray, another awesome list of highlights include White-rumped and Pectoral Sandpipers, Great Shearwater and Greenish Warbler. David Parnaby has been knocked down to third after staying on 216 points. In fourth, Steve Dudley at Westray picked up Woodchat Shrike which was just the second island record, putting him on 178 points - he also enjoyed a good sprinkling of common migrants too. Sean Morris at Kilmory, on the Isle of Rum got a patch tick in the form of Little Stint while on his other Rum patch, Kinloch, saw Green Sandpiper, giving them a comparitive score of 85% and 87% respectively. 

In the 10km league, John Bowler increased his points tally to 250, with an additional Balearic Shearwater amongst his good 3km birds, Steve Dudley on Westray also picked up Balearic but also Cory's Shearwater, both of which new birds for the isle putting Steve on 91% comparitively, the scond highest scored in this mini-league. Sean Morris on the Isle of Rum notched up 137 points. 

Little Stint, Sean Morris

Melodious Warbler, John Bowler

Coastal Scotland: 

Rob Hughes has had an amazing month at Nybster, gaining a whopping 77 points, mostly from taking advantage of some amazing seawatching on offer, this included finding both mega seabirds Fea's-type Petrel and Barolo-type Shearwater but also Sabine's Gull, Cory's and Great Shearwaters. This gives Rob Hughes a comparitive score of 111%, and with the most exciting part of the autumn to come, that percentage could be a lot higher yet! Dylan Daunt increased his Musselburgh total to 180 points, keeping him in second. Nina O'Hanlon has increased her rankings too, she is now third with 159 points also at Nybster, bringing her comparitive to 109%. Andrew Whewell at North Berwick East also had a good month for seawatching, picking up Cory's and Sooty Shearwaters also Marsh Harrier. Nick Littlewood at Portsoy just six points behind picked up two patch ticks, Green Sandpiper and Greenshank. In the 10km league, Rob Hughes has hit a whopping 222 points which included all the seabirds that was included in the 3km. 

Inland Scotland: 

Alex Ash at Kilmacolm is now on 94% of their comparitive score, with 91 points scored so far. Lee Hesp at Strathyre picked up Snipe and Reed Bunting, so finished on 58 points. 

Coastal Wales: 

Peter Howlett has up top in this mini-league at Cardiff Bay with a hundred points scored so far, 75% of his comparitive. He is just three points ahead of Alex Jones ar Rhyl. 

Thanks for reading, and hope a Glossy Ibis enjoys your patch soon! 

Happy birding, 

Patchwork Challenge team

July round-up 2025

Hello from the Patchwork Challenge team!

We have now completed our monthly review for July and it seems to have been a slow month nationally, with a lot of effort put in but little reward gained, with a few points scored here and there. However, there have still been some nice birds recorded, including this stunning adult White-winged Black Tern on Gordon's Estuarine patch of Frampton, Splatt & Saul Warth. Read on to find out what more has been seen! We hope you will enjoy. 

White-winged Black Tern, Frampton Sailing Lake, Gordon Hodgson

Leading scores by mini league 3km²:

Inland North England: Ben Moyes, Swillington Ings - 183 points

Inland Midlands: Pete Sofley, Ladywalk NR - 160 points

Inland South England: Matthew Dick, RSPB Lakenheath- 147 points

Inland Scotland: Alex Ash, Kilmacolm - 86 points 

Inland Wales: Nicholas Beswick, Mynydd Llangatwg - 58 points

Coastal East England: Jack Pettit, Spurn - 290 points

Coastal South England: Jacob Spinks, Dungeness Bird Observatory 3km² - 262 points

Coastal West England: Sean O'Hara, Leasowe/Meols/Hoylake - 133 points

Coastal Scotland: Dylan Daunt, Musselburgh - 174 points 

Coastal Wales: Peter Howlett, Cardiff Bay and Alex Jones, Rhyl - 97 points

Estuarine: Gordon Hodgson, Frampton, Splatt & Saul Warth - 159 points

Islands: David Parnaby, Fair Isle - 226 points

Top Comparative Scores:

Paul Whitehouse, Stanley Ferry Flash and Southern Washlands 3km² - 107%

Neil Burt, Godinton, Hothfield & Singleton 3km² - 99% 

Tom Shields, Nottingham Trent Valley 10km radius - 99%

Freddie Matthews, Winchester 3km² - 98%

Tom Shields, Colwick Park 3km²  - 98%

Dan Webb, Sellack 10km - 98%

William Lambourne, Ledbury (Herefordshire) 10km - 98%

Ben Moyes, Swillington Ings 3km² - 97%

Gareth Casburn, Ardley ERF 3km² - 97% 

Owen Tattersall, Figham Common 3km² - 95%

Dave Helliar, Chard 10km - 95%

Inland North, England:

Ben Moyes keeps the top spot with 183 points at Swillington Ings, with no additions in July. It has become neck and neck for second place with Duncan Bye at Wheldrake Ings stuck on 159 points while Ciarian Rowett has caught him up at WWT Martin Mere, whose monthly highlights include Nuthatch and Black-necked Grebe. Lee Wiseman in fourth only added one species, a flock of Common Scoters calling overhead one late evening, a typical thing in the Pennines in July and August, putting him on 137 points. Darren Best at Swinemoor and Mike Leakey at Bishop Middleham are on joint fifth place with 125 points - Mike's highlights were Whimbrel and Hobby. Owen Tattersall at Figham Common and Paul Whitehouse at Stanley Ferry Flash and Southern Washlands are also on the same number of points in sixth with 94. Owen's highlights include Kingfishers and patch tick Tawny Owl while Paul's highlight is Spoonbill. The rest of the table is still very tight, as three contestants are on 91, 90 and 89, with Phil Woollen at Mollington currently on top of this little battle for ninth. 

Inland Midlands, England:

Peter Sofley is still up top after achieving 160 points at Ladywlk NR, his month's highligh was certainly Willow Tit but also recorded Black-tailed Godwit. There has been no place changes in the top five of this league so Steve Atkinson at Middle Tame is still in second on 142 points, with no additions in July. In third, Andy Sims has kept his position, scoring 124 points by the end of month- the best bird being the first patch record of Spoonbill. Brian Hedley at Trent Port/Marton now on 113 points, his best birds of July included Redstart, five Ravens and a Hobby. Tom Shields at Colwick Park had a nice inland record of Sandwich Tern at Colwick Park, putting him on 107 points, and a fantastic comparitve score of 98% - the highest in this league. Steve Lister still trailing Tom by two points, he is now on 105 points and his highlight being Redshank. William Lambourne now in seventh at Much Marcle scoring 96 points by the end of the month, and having two patch golds in July in the form of Little Grebe and Little Egret! Dan Leadley in Dereham, Norfolk, is still on 72 points from 70 species. 

In the 10km league, Andy Sims at Swanpool is now first with 149 points, Richard Harbird in the Redditch area is now second after scoring 145 points, his highlight being a Wood Sandpiper at Morton Bagot. Tom Shields at Nottingham Trent Valley is on a superb 99% comparitive score, with 144 points so far, his highlights include Black-tailed Godwit and Marsh Harrier. William Lambourne in fourth, but his moment of migration magic sounds ace with drizzle creating an inland fall of warblers, including over a hundred Chiffchaffs and 30 Reed Warblers, as well as five Spotted Flycatchers. Will also noted his first local Redshank during the month, leaving him on a 98% comparitive score, which Dan Webb in fifth is also on, after noting both Greenshank (this being just a second record for the patch) and Redshank giving him a end of month score of 124 points. Steve Lister isn't far behind on 116 points. 

Spoonbill as well as Great and Little Egret, Boultham Mere, Andy Sims

Inland South, England:

No change in points or position to the top three spots, which are held by Matthew Dick at RSPB Lakenheath, Geoff Wyatt at Day's Lock and Freddie Matthews at Winchester respectively. John Pritchard adding a couple of points, putting him on 112 in fourth with a pair of breeding Spotted Flycatchers. Gareth Casburn at Ardley ERF added five points in July, he is now on 109 points and a great comparitive score of 97%. Conor Mackenzie at Sutton Courtenay fell behind to sixth, after not adding any points in July. Neil Burt had two additions at Godinton, Hothfield & Singleton, with typical July fare of five Spotted Flycatchers and up to 29 Crossbills, putting him on a fantastic 99% comparitive. Ian Bennell at Tring Reservoirs still on 103 points but Gareth Blockley almost caught him up, after adding four points puts him on 102 at Grimsbury Reservoir and East Banbury. Next is Charlie Joseph at Weald CP and Bentley area is on 86 points, with highlights of Crossbill and Hobby. 

Over in the 10km league, Dave Helliar at Chard is still at the top spot with 142 points scores, 95% comparitively, his highlights include Cattle Egret, Redshank and Black-tailed Godwit. 

Coastal East, England:

Jack Pettit has been running away with the score so far, mopping up 290 points at Spurn with highlights including finding a White-rumped Sandpiper, but also seeing Honey Buzzard, Wood Warbler and a local mega Stone Curlew. Trevor Girling at Titchwell RSPB is in second with 233 points followed by Owen Beaumont at Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR, who had an excitable month with White-winged Black Tern, Bee-eater and Osprey putting him on 224 points. James Brown at Lowestoft had Roseate Tern and Little Gull, classic July species, so he finished the month on 183 points. Paul French in Easington noted Bee-eater and Crossbill over his garden, but also was hearing broods of Sparrowhawk and Tawny Owl on repeat, 24hrs a day. Stuart Ainsworth at Gibraltar Point is only one point behind Paul while there is quite a gap to seventh with Will Scott on 151 points at Bempton Cliffs. Duncan Watson has increased his tally to 145 points at Tynemouth and so has John Chapman at South Tyneside to 129 points, keeping that local rivalry alive. Paul Newton at Hawsker Bottom is on 97 points but logged a patch first with three Gadwall, patch gold!

Coastal West, England:

Sean O'Hara added one point to his score, making him finish July on 134 points at Leasowe, Meols and Hoylake. Unfortunately, he is still the only participant in this league. 

Coastal South, England:

There isn't much change in the top spots in any of the leagues, and this league is the same with Jacob Spinks in the Dungeness Bird Observatory recording area now 263 points, after a very slow July with Honey Buzzard being a late addition to the year list. Amy Robjohns has clawed back second place after updating her scores, she is now on 184 points at Titchfield Haven. Kevin Reynolds is in third at his Dawlish Warren patch with 160 points. His window patch at Teignmouth is stuck on 63 points. In the 10km league, Jacob Spinks at Dungeness broke the 300 point mark with 309 recorded, the highlight being an adult Pectoral Sandpiper. Amy Robjohns covering The Solent area notched up 186 points putting her in second quickly followed by Bob Ford on his walking around Weymouth who finished July on 180 points, his highlight being Yellow-legged Gull. 

Esturaine:

Gordon Hodgson at Frampton, Splatt & Saul Warth is still in the lead with now 159 points, a very good 93% comparitive score - his two highlights were a patch gold (and tick) White-winged Black Tern as well as Crossbill. Peter Hazelwood at Oldbury Power Station still on 144 points in second and Jackie Binks at Garston Coastal/Oglet in third, added one point to their tally, now on 122 points. 

Islands:

After David's mega June on Fair Isle, he added no additons to his year list in July so he continues to be on 216 points. John Bowler on Balephuil is slowly catching him up, adding three points in July to reach a total of 219, highlights being Greenshank and Little Grebe. David Roche on the cusp of 200 points is 10 points behind John, but had some good totals of a second-calender year Long-tailed Skua and a singing Quail. Steve Dudley on Westray had no change there, but Sean Morris on both of his Isle of Rum 3km patches added one point, putting him on 110 and 99 points respectively. In the 10km league, John Bowler on Tirree logged the Wood Duck again after a lengthy absence as well as Storm Petrel leaving him in first place with 226 points. Steve Dudley on Westray noted two additions, Red-necked Phalarope and Swift, both could be the only record of the year there - Steve finished the month on 213 points. Sean Morris on Rum added two points from last month, now on 132. 

Swallow, Tiree, John Bowler

Inland Scotland:

The only change in the league is that Lee Hesp at Strathyre added a couple of species, with one of these being his second two pointer of the year - a Hooded Crow. This putting him on 56 points. 

Coastal Scotland:

Newcomer Dylan Daut at Musselburgh has taken the top spot with 174 points, which means Andrew Whewell is now in second after increasing his points tally too 139 at North Berwick. Nick Littlewood at Portsoy had a good month, bringing his total up to 135 points after patch ticking Sanderling, but also adding Crossbill and Sooty Shearwater for the year. Rich Arthurs at Gullane/Aberlady Bay is now in fourth, just one point behind Nick. There was no change in the lower part of the league but Rob Hughes at Nybster and Andrew Whitehouse at Girdle Ness and Torry are only one point apart, 130 and 129 respectively. 

Red Kite, Caithness, Rob Hughes

No changes in any of the following leagues: Coastal Wales, Inland Wales, Coastal Ireland and Inland Ireland. 

Remember to keep us updated, by using either the #PWC2025 or #PatchBirding hashtags on Bluesky and Twitter! Please post photos, and we will try to include as many as possible in our monthly round-ups. Any questions or mistakes that need editing, don't hesitate to get in touch via direct message. Good luck for the rest of August and we look forward to seeing what you get! 

We have also secured funding for this year's prizes, so keep your eyes peeled and ears sharp for new patch year ticks this autumn! Funding has been secured through the writing of an article coming next year and also from your purchases from our shop, which is available at https://patchwork-challenge.teemill.com/. If you want a personalised item, these can be done but will just take longer. We hope you enjoy!

Happy Birding, 

Patchwork Challenge team