Under 25's Minileague - December 2016

Contestants in the Under 25's Minileague were some of the most prolific patch birders in all of #PWC2016 with Amy Robjohns finishing in first place on the comparative table, unchallenged with her mega 142.93% score from Titchfield Haven. Just reward for all the effort put in over the year as well as for keeping us entertained with top quality record pics of each new scarce or rare species added to her list!

Caspian Stonechat at Titchfield Haven (c) Amy Robjohns

Ash Baines finishes with a very strong second place score of 132.47% at Starr Gate - Fairlawn road with Snow Bunting added in December. Cattle Egret and White-fronted Goose boosted the score from Mid-North Gipping Valley to 115.13% for third place Ben Moyes.

Rhys Chivers managed to hold on to fourth place by a matter of .01%!!! Rhys didn't add any new species for Soar Valley Pits in December but his comp score there remained high enough to fend off Espen Quinto-Ashman at Wellington GPs despite Espen having added Barn Owl in the dying moment of #PWC2016 on New Year's Eve!

While there was plenty of success in the Under 25's Comparative Minileague, results from the Points Minileague also showcased the great enthusiasm of the youngest patch birders that PWC has to offer. Nearly 50 contestants make up this table and we can see some closely fought battles down through the rankings, but it is Tim Jones who leads the way, charging ahead of all others with that mega score of 421 points from 231 species and a PPB of 1.823 from the mighty Spurn. 

The BirdTrack effort by the Under 25's was also top notch with Ollie Thomas contributing a truly amazing 637 complete lists and 20,684 records from Puddletown while James McCulloch also gets an honourable mention with 660 complete lists and 6,018 records from Hedgecourt NR & Domewood.

When it came to personal highlights of the year, reading through the list of submissions really gave a flavour of how epic 2016 was for birding across Britain and Ireland with all of the following seen by PWC Under 25's contestants: Caspian Stonechat, White-crowned Sparrow, Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler, Black Stork, Forster's Tern, Black-bellied Dipper, Desert Wheatear, Dusky Warbler, Purple Heron, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Baird's Sandpiper, Red-necked Phalarope, Long-billed Dowitcher, Richard's Pipit, Black Brant, Cattle Egret, Green-winged Teal, Sabine's Gull, Honey Buzzard...

Black-bellied Dipper (c) Ben Moyes

Under 25's - November 2016

Some fine efforts this year in the comparative league, Amy Robjohns continues at the top adding Black Redstart in the month. At 142% she looks unbeatable, that's going to make a mighty challenging target next year! In any other year, Ash Baines on 131% would be looking at top spot, it is a really impressive effort this year. A Desert Wheatear was a superb addition to his patch list plus Scaup and Twite amongst his other highlights. Three other patchers have joined then in the 100 club. Just a few more point would see Tim Jones beat his comparative which would be a superb effort given the challenging total he has to hit.

Not so surprising is Tim Jones in top spot and a clear 136 points above his nearest rival. It has been an amazing autumn at Spurn and he has topped 400 points despite not adding any new birds in November. So it is all about the south coast battle for second and Joe continues to have the edge. A 9 point gap is not insurmountable but it would take something notable to change the podium places now.

There were a few late autumn / early winter rares in the under 25 league this month. The Galway Bay Forster's Tern was a star bird for Cathal Forkan whilst a bit of viz-migging at Birkenhead Docks really paid off with a flyover Richard's Pipit for Elliot Montieth, unexpected and very useful bonus points. Will Scott and Hunmanby was not letting Elliot get away from him though in the table, with bonus points of his own in the form of a Sabine's Gull plus Pomarine Skua and Snow Bunting kept his impressive total ticking along.

Forster's Tern at Galway Bay (c/o Cathal Forkan)

Rhys Chivers was the latest to add Glossy Ibis to his patch list whilst Great-Northern Diver was a fine addition to Jacob Spinks's total at his inland Pitsford Reservoir patch. Luke Nash in North Norfolk reaped the benefits of November seawatching with Black-Throated Diver, Little Auk and Glaucous Gull all fine additions. He also added a Waxwing - a few of these were found along the east coast in November but I suspect many more patchers will have them in the highlights in December.

Patch birding is all about what is exciting on your patch, so a Marsh Harrier at Winsford Flash was a patch first for Findlay Wilde whilst for Joe Proudfoot two Tree Sparrow's were a complete shock at Booterstown plus a Jack Snipe was one of his birds of the year. Final notable records for November were a Raven at Old Bolingbroke and a very late Sand Martin at Hedgecourt NR.

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.

Under 25 League - September 2016

Semipalmated Sandpiper - Amy Robjohns

Amy Robjohns extends her lead at the top of the Under 25 minileaguehaving added 5% this month having added Semipalmated Sandpiper and found an overflying Honey Buzzard. Ash Baines is in second position having moved onto 113% with a duo of Great and Pomarine Skuas this month. Rhys Chivers is still in third place as he adds 5% with American Wigeon his highlight at Soar Valley Pits.

Joe Stockwell draws level with Tim Jones at the top of the table as we still havent heard how Tim's autumn is progressing. Joe however found Woodchat Shrike, Sabine's Gull and Blue-headed Wagtail. Amy drops back to third and Erik Ansell leads the pack in fourth with 208 points.

Jacob Spinks found Great White Egret and Honey Buzzard at Pitsford Reservoirs whilst Cathal Forkan managed to add Baird's Sandpiper and Long-billed Dowitcher in North Galway Bay. Elliot Montieth found a first site record of Spotted Redshank on the Wirral and also added Little Gull and Bonxie while there was also a Spotted Redshank for Erik Ansell as well as Ruddy Duck and Pectoral Sandpiper. Findlay Wilde added his first patch Pintail at Winsford Flash and also in Cheshire an inland Yellow-browed Warbler for George Dunbar was a nice addition. Luke Nash managed to see a Red-breasted Flycatcher on his Cley to Kelling patchm, Max Hellicar saw the Great White Egret at Rainham and there was an inland Wryneck at Puddletown for Ollie Thomas to catch up with. Finally Will Scott added Yellow-browed Warbler and  Whinchat at Humanby while Toby Carter added Cetti's Warbler on his arable patch at Grimston.

Under 25 Minileague - August 2016

The Under 25 minileague continues to entertain. This month Amy continues her lead at the top of the comparative minileague as she adds 11% in August to go to 130%. Her best bits in August are Honey Buzzard, Pied Flycatcher and Spotted Redshank. In second position is Ash Baines who moves up from third having gained 12% in August and breaking 100%. His additions include 4 patch ticks - Little Stint, Ruff, Black Guillemot and Marsh Harrier. Rhys Chivers has no additions this month and slips to third place.

Whinchat - Jack Bradbury

And still we await an update from Tim Jones (no doubt one will be coming after September) and although he remains in first place his points total is being hunted down by Amy with aplomb. Joe Stockwell continues in third position although the gap this month has been extended to three points by Amy - it is going to be close between these two rivals. Joe has been experimenting with nocturnal migrant recording and he managed to hear and record an overflying Ortolan which is quite the garden tick!

Elsewhere there were two records of Honey Buzzard for James McCulloch as he claimed the only other set of bonus points at Hedgecourt NR and Domewood in Surrey. Jonathan Farooqi added high counts of Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint in Druridge Bay and it was a similar story for Erik Ansell plus the bonus of a Long-tailed Duck at Rutland. Jack Dawson connected with the White-rumped Sandpiper at Frampton for a handy three points and Luke Nash made similar progress thanks to a Cattle Egret at Cley. Will Scott had seawatching success at Humanby adding Sooty Shearwater and Great Skua whilst Elliot Montieth added his final regular tern to the yearlist as Black Tern fell to his tick cannon. Max Hellicar saw the Rainham Temminck's Stint for 3 handy points and the first mid-Gipping Valley Little Stint in 40 years was seen by Ben Moyes. Edward Betteridge also joined in on the Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper fest whilst Jack Bradbury added Red Kite at Warwick Racecourse.

A quick congratulations to George Dunbar who won the Spurn young birder competition and also to Jack Bradbury who was one of the runners up, Great skills guys.

Under 25 Minileague - June 2016

Two further points for Amy Robjohns this month as she had some early skua movement off Titchfield Haven to extend her lead to 19.5% in the comparative minileague. In second place Rhys Chivers in failed to make any additions. Ash Baines in third also made no progress in a tricky month and continues just 3% back from Rhys.

The big beast finally awakens as Tim Jones lets us know how he is getting on at Spurn with three Spoonbills his best bit from June. Amy is in second place, 34 points behind Tim with Joe Stockwell a further two points back in third place but with no additions this time out.

Red Kite - Ben Moyes

As you might have noticed the big scorers havent really made much headway but there were additions round the table. There was a Spotted Flycatcher at Humanby for Will Scott and at Ruskington for Jack Dawson. Jack added Spoonbill at Frampton whilst Ben Moyes added Red Kite in the Gipping Valley. Dan Beadle got himself Nightjar on patch as well as Grasshopper Warbler for a profitable nocturnal visit. Finally Jack Bradbury added 4 ticks this time out including Siskin and Marsh Tit.

Under 25's Minileague - May 2016

Amy Robjohns adds 18% to her total to lead the Under 25 comparative league. This month her highlight (and everyones) was a male Caspian Stonechat which she found on patch whilst counting snails. This is a 15 pointer and well deserved for a devout patcher. Second place is still Rhys Chivers and he hits the 100% with Wood Sandpiper and Whimbrel his best bits this month. Ash Baines rounds off the top three and is only 3.25% short of second as he adds Spoonbill.

Caspian Stonechat - Titchfield Haven (Amy Robjohns)

Amy's exploits see her join Joe Stockwell in first place on 218 points each. His highlights were a self-found Temminck's Stint and a patch first Cattle Egret. Jonathan Farooqi is heading up the pack 35 points behind in Druridge Bay. He managed to connect with the touring pair of Glossy Ibis that worked their way down the east coast along with a Great White Egret.

Other highlights this month include bonus point scoring Great White Egret for Jack Dawson whilst Toby Carter gets a bonus for a Purple Heron. The final set of bonus points this month goes to Josie Hewitt who managed to connect with a Honey Buzzard at Blackbushe airfield. Dan Beadle managed to catch up with a Hoopoe on his patch at Coverack and there was a Turtle Dove for Ben Moyes in the mid-Gipping Valley. Dan Rouse saw the Bonaparte's Gull at WWT Llanelli and the Gull-billed Tern at Morfa Bacas - quite the double! Erik Ansell managed a Red-necked Phalarope at Rutland and Jack Dawson saw the Wryneck and Black-winged Stilt double at Frampton. Finally there was also a Turtle Dove for Zac Hinchcliffe at Old Bolingbroke.

Under 25 Minileague - April 2016

The top three remain static in the April Under 25 comparative minileague with Amy Robjohns heading things up thanks to four patch ticks in the month (Stone Curlew, Great White Egret, Dartford Warbler and Arctic Skua) taking her beyond the 100% mark. Rhys Chivers has pushed her all the way and finishes this time on 91% adding Wood Warbler, Avocet and Yellow-legged Gull. Ben Moyes completes the top three on 86% with a host of regular migrants including Cuckoo and Yellow Wagtail.

It is a different story in the points league with Joe Stockwell taking over at the top on 187 points with Amy just a brace behind. Joe added Balearic Shearwater and Pied Flycatcher to hold top spot and we know both have bagged bonus points in May so who knows how this will end? Jonathan Farooqi loses his share of second but remains on the podium this month at Druridge Bay although he remains a single point ahead of Erik Ansell.

Black Redstart - Will Scott

Outside the podium there were a number of good bits and pieces turned up with George Dunbar being on hand as part of the ringing team when the White-crowned Sparrow (photos coming on that minileague post) unexpectedly turned up at Woolston Eyes. A Ruddy Shelduck for Findlay Wilde scores a big fat 0 as there havent been any accepted birds in 50 years. To score points for this species in all likelyhood you will need a ringed bird (sorry Findlay...). Will Scott turned up a Black Redstart at Humanby while Ellis Lucas managed to connect with the Green-winged Teal at Wheldrake. Several folks intercepted Ospreys moving north this month as this species continues to become more abundent with each passing year. Edward Betteridge at Evesham had a Siberian Chiffchaff on patch. Dan Rouse had Slavonian Grebes on both of here patches including a brace at Morfa Bacas. Worst luck went to Dan Beadle who had an Iberian Chiffchaff 100 yards outside his patch boundary (was it not audible? points then...).

And just for giggles here is Amy's Glaucous Gull.

Under 25's Minileague - March 2016

March was an action-packed month in the Under 25's league, a smorgasbord of great birds and more than a few instances of #patchgold resulting in some pretty hefty scores. Ever the transitional period, March saw a number of longed for migrants making it back to their summer haunts - the best of these perhaps being Osprey for Jacob Spinks and Amy Robjohns respectively. Other newcomers this month included Garganey for Erik Ansell at Rutland Water, Woodlark for Josie Hewitt and Black Redstart for Dan Beadle. Of the more regular migrants seen, Swallow, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Little Ringed Plover and Sand Martin featured prominently while a Firecrest was surely brought a smile to the face of Jack Dawson at Frampton Marsh.

As ever, a number of typical winter visitors lingered into March. Arguably the best of these comprising a Great Grey Shrike for Will Langdon though Siberian Chiffchaff also featured for both Will Scott and Joe Stockwell. Elsewhere two white-wingers were seen, including a Glaucous Gull for Amy Robjohns and an Iceland Gull for Elliot Montieth while Jack Snipe, Velvet Scoter, Pink-Footed Goose and Black-Throated Diver also appeared as highlights. Moving on to this months most striking examples of #patchgold and March saw a record count of 30 Great-Crested Grebes for Findlay Wilde at Winsford Flash while James Common finally caught up with a Rook at Blyth following a somewhat prolonged absence. Final mention goes to Will Langdon and his pair of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers.

Good to see someone is keeping notes! - Great Grey Shrike by Will Langdon.

To the tables now and first up, the bread and butter of the Patchwork Challenge that is the comparative league. Amy Robjohns steals the top spot this month following a great run at Titchfield Haven which saw her land no less than three patch lifers during March. Second place goes to Rhys Chivers following an impressive leap from the 10th position while Ben Moyes jumps ahead of Espen Quinto-Ashman to secure his place in the triumvirate. Further down, former front-runner Sam Pitt Miller drops to fifth this month at Priory Water and other familiar faces continue to edge their way towards the coveted 100% milestone, among these; PWC stalwards Ash Baines, Josie Hewitt and Jonathan Farooqi.

The points league looks much the same as it did at this point in 2015; Amy Robjohns topping the league followed by usual high scorers Joe Stockwell and Jonathan Farooqi. Erik Ansell sits in fourth place, snapping at the heels of the top three while further down the table Joe Stockwell (again) snatches fourth place at RSPB Arne while Anthony Bently concludes the top five with a decent 128 points at Lincs Wash Reserves. With an increasing number of migrants set to return in April and, of course, the possibility of something all together more exciting, it will be interesting to see how this league changes come the next submission date. Do remember to submit your scores this months chaps ;-)

Little Ringed Plover - Josie Hewitt

- James C (Patchwork Challenge)

Under 25's Minileague - February 2016

A somewhat quieter month in the 'Under 25's' league with the new years hype dying down and new birds just a little harder to come by. The cream of the crop this month came from Rutland Water where Erik Ansell picked up a Long-Billed Dowitcher while elsewhere, February provided a host of more atypical winter highlights. Among these; Black-Throated Diver for Amy Robjohns and Siberian Chiffchaff for Espen Quinto-Ashman at Wellington GPs. Jack Snipe and Merlin featured for George Dunbar this month, followed by Glaucous Gull and Great White Egret for Jacob Spinks and Dan Rouse respectively while Peregrine occurred on three patches; noted in turn by Will Langdon, Ben Moyes and Joe Proudfoot. These aside; the best of the rest in February included Black Redstart for James Mculloch, Mandarin for Findlay Wilde and Tree Sparrow for James Common - his first in almost a decade of birding the Blyth Estuary. In terms of #patchgold this month; a Coal Tit brought a smile to the face of Jack Bradbury at Warwick Racecourse and Zac Hinchcliffe landed a potential site first in the form of a Water Rail at Old Bolingbroke.

Looking now at the tables and February saw former front runner Amy Robjohns relegated to second place as Sam Pitt Miller claimed the top-spot following an impressive run at Priory Water. With less than 1% seperating the top two competitors it will certainly be interesting to see how the situation develops come March. Espen Quinto-Ashman remains in third place this month with a similarly impressive score of 64% at Wellington GPs, no doubt aided by the aforementioned Siberian Chiffchaff, while further down the table a host of competitors, both new and old, look set for a record year on their respective patches.

In points league, Jonathan Farooqi takes the lead with an impressive 110 species and 136 points and Hadson to Hemscott Hill, followed Anthony Bentley and Joe Stockwell who claim the runners up spots. The top eight contestants in this league have now passed the coveted 100 points milestone and it will be interesting to see how things transpire next month. With spring migration set to commence in March, great change could lie just around the corner though only time will tell..

Siberian Chiffchaff - Espen Quinto-Ashman

Grey Plover - James Common

NGB and AFON Under 25 Minileague - January 2016

The newly amended "under 25's" minileague kicked off in explosive fashion this month with birders from both NGB & AFON scouring their respective patches in search of winter rarities. Something which seems to have paid dividends with great birds such as Long-Billed Dowitcher, Penduline Tit, Green-Winged Teal and Ring-Billed Gull featuring in this months round-up. With more competitors than ever taking part and many PWC stalwarts opting for a change of scenery this year; this league looks set to reach new heights over the course of 2016.

Green-Winged Teal - Tim White

Looking first at the comparative league and Amy Robjohn's seizes the top spot with an impressive 63% of her former score at Titchfield Haven, no doubt aided by the addition of Penduline Tit to her patchwork total. Sam Pitt Miller comes it at second at Priory Water, wracking up a similarly impressive 58% while Espen Quinto-Ashman lands himself in third place with 54%. Further down the table things appear neck and neck between other familiar names such as Josie Hewitt, Joe Stockwell, Rhys Chivers and Ash Baines. 

Jonathan Farooqi heads up the points league this month with a whopping 127 points at Hadston to Hemscott Hill, adding Long-Billed Dowitcher among a host of other goodies. Joe Stockwell lands himself in both second and third place, taking both runners up positions with scores of 121 and 117 respectively at Ferrybridge and RSPB Arne. Just how much time do you spent in the field Joe? It's certainly paying off. Next; Amy Robjohn's finds herself in fourth position followed by James Common in fifth and Joe Proudfoot in sixth place. What will February hold I wonder?

LATE EDIT: Anthony Bentley submitted his score late but now tops the points minileague. Cain Scrimgeour also added to the league.

LATE LATE EDIT: Elliot Montieth added after late score.

Moving on to the birds notched throughout January and other glaring rarities sighted this month include a Green-Winged Teal for newcomer Sarah Woods at Rising Sun Country Park and Ring-Billed Gulls for Cathal Forkan and Joe Proudfoot. A wintering Yellow-Browed Warbler was similarly a nice touch for Sam Wall at Lilstock. Elsewhere in the league; Espen Quinto-Ashman managed Red-Crested Pochard at Wellington while James Common caught up with a small flock of Waxwings at Blyth. On the subject of Waxwings, other typical winter scarcities were abundant in the league this month, among them; two Iceland Gulls, two Spotted Redshank and a hearty helping of Jack Snipe. Wildfowl featured as highlights for many competitors; White-Fronted Geese and Whooper Swans noted on a number of patches alongside the odd Scaup while seawatching clearly paid off for some with Little Gull, Little Auk and Red-Necked Grebe featuring prominently. Elsewhere other January highlights included; Snow Bunting for Sam Wall, Black Redstart for both Ollie Thomas and Joe Proudfoot and both Long-Eared Owl and Bittern for James McCulloch at Hedgecourt Lake. Concluding; former "most valuable player" Josie Hewitt also nabbed some #patchgold in the form of only her second ever Crossbills at Blackbushe Airfield. 

Red- Crested Pochard - Espen Quinto-Ashman

Water Pipit - Jonathan Farooqi

- James C (Patchwork Challenge)