Islands Minileague - December 2016

December brought no new additions for Steve Minton at Scatness but his second Kumlien's Gull of the year was a welcome sight among good numbers of large gulls present there along with a few white-wingers. While Steve's score remained unchanged, his first place position on the Islands Comparative Minileague table was safe due to a hefty lead of 18%! 

Bonus points from a Lesser Scaup find at Palace allowed Alastair Forsyth to make a jump from seventh to second place on the comp table, where he finished up with 122%, knocking Steve Stansfield down to third. It ain't over until the fat Aythya sings!

Kumlien's Gull (c) Steve Minton (patch blog)

Lesser Scaup (c) Alastair Forsyth (patch blog)

Despite losing ground on the comparative table, Steve Stansfield remained unchallenged at the top of the points minileague with his impressive 368 points from 186 species seen on Bardsey, the highest species tally in the minileague also resulting in the highest PPB score too, just shy of the magic 2.

Scottish islands dominated the top of the points table save for two Welsh locations making themselves known there. John Bowler, Steve Minton, Jason Moss and Mark Newell all remain in their allotted positions from second to fifth.

Bruce Taylor's first year of PWC from Barra was a good one and the end of the year brought Glaucous Gull and Salvonian Grebe added (from his lounge!) at Brevig. Looking forward to seeing his contribution to the comparative minileague during #PWC2017.

The final month of the year also brought an American Wigeon for Russell Neave on Sanday and a Siberian Chiffchaff for John Headon on St Mary's.

Islands Minileague - November 2016

After a hectic October, relative calm returned to the Islands Minileague during November, but not without a few good birds being seen here and there.

Despite not adding anything new, Steve Minton still leads the charge in first place on the comparative table with 140% at Scatness. His title looks secure between now and the end of the year.

Steve Stansfield left Bardsey on the 8th November and with that comes to an end his amazing year of #PWC2016 there where he finsihed on 186 species, 368 points and 119.48%!!! Top stuff. We look forward to updates from this magic spot again during #PWC2017.

David Wood and Mark Newell both increased their comp scores sufficiently to cause a stir in the top five rankings. Red Kite and Long-tailed Duck were new for David at RSPB The Oa, taking him from sixth to third place on 116% there, while a serious Isle of May #patchgold double whammy of Coal Tit and Long-tailed Tit took Mark from ninth to fourth on 113%.

One of the top finds during November on the Islands Minileague... a Little Bunting on Barra (c) Bruce Taylor

In the points minileague, Steve's hefty score on Bardsey might just do well enough to keep him in the lead there until the years end, that is unless John Bowler can pull something out of the bag during December. John's second place score from Tiree is now up to 341 points thanks to Pomarine Skua, Jackdaw and bonus points from a Ring-necked Duck find. White-tailed Eagle and Green-winged Teal also showed up at Balephuil but were not new for the year. 

Species which get several mentions as new additions for the month across many island patches included Iceland Gull, Waxwing, Common Scoter, Woodcock and Water Rail. Additional White-tailed Eagles were seen at Askernish by Yvonne B and Barra by Bruce Taylor (who also connected with Siberian Chiffchaff plus the Little Bunting pictured above).

Glaucous Gull and Little Auk brought a wintry feel to Alastair Forsyth's patch at Palace, Birsay but it was a Grey Plover which was the most welcome addition there. Not the easiest species to see around those parts. 

The unmistakable looming shape of a perched White-tailed Eagle (c) John Bowler

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.

Islands - September 2016

Steve Minton's superb year at Scatness continues this month as he adds bonus points for Little Bunting, Yellow-browed Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher and Barred Warbler moving onto 118%. Ian T moves into second as he overhauls David Wood. Ian's highlights at Askernish was a fine Baird's Sandpiper which he found but he faces missing the rest of the autumn on patch. David Wood had some patchgold on the Oa, Islay as he located a Blue Tit for his monthly highlight.

Baird's Sandpiper, Askernish - Ian T

John Bowler adds only 56 points this month. This includes a glut of bonus points for a very fine Swainson's Thrush, a quartet of Buff-breasted Sandpipers, Leach's Petrel, Common Rosefinch, Sabine's Gull and Yellow-browed Warbler. Tidy! Steve Minton climbs to second at Sctness and Steve Stansfield holds on despite missing the update so expect a mega October from Bardsey.

Other bonuses include Icterine Warbler, Sabine's Gull, Wryneck and Yellow-browed Warbler for Jason Moss on Skomer, Buff-breasted Sandpiper and Yellow-browed Warbler for Barrie Hammill on Burray and Common Rosefinch for Alistair Forsyth at Palace, Birsay. There was also a Yellow-browed Warbler for Bruce Taylor on Barra. John Headon on St Mary's added American Golden Plover, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Spotted Crake and Dotterel this month whilst there were Lapland Buntings for Sean Morris and Bruce Taylor respectively.

Islands Minileague - August 2016

Steve Minton's garden Arctic Warbler

August marks the beginning of autumn, especially on the isles where the first migrants are more obvious. This months blog post features a fine array of bits and pieces including Steve Minton's Arctic Warbler which has taken up residence in his Scatness garden. This bird takes him over 100% and top of the comparative league from 6th last month. Additionally Steve found an Icterine Warbler to round off a productive start to the autumn. The long-time leader, David Wood, slips to second place but he also cracked the 100% barrier this month. Ian T is just a sliver behind on a square 100% thanks to a brace of patch ticks in Black Guillemot and Osprey.

Steve Stansfield has an August to savour as he found a host of bonus point scorers including multiple Melodious and Icterine Warblers, Western Bonelli's Warbler, Citrine Wagtail and an Ortolan Bunting. This keeps him top despite some fine birds elsewhere. John Bowler strikes back in second with a Pacific Golden Plover. Steve Minton's garden birds move him into third place.

Pacific Golden Plover at Balephuill - John Bowler 

Other highlights include a Leach's Petrel for Mark Newell on the Isle of May, Roseate Tern on Scilly for John Headon and Storm Petrel for Alastair Forsyth. Barrie Hamill added Wryneck on Burray and Stuart Taylor at Balivanich added Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper to his patch list whilst also being graced by successfully breeding Mealy Redpoll.

Islands Minileague - July 2016

Slow going in the Islands Minileague during July with no major changes to the rankings in either the comparative or the points minileagues. Signs of a genuinely quiet period for patch birding or are the contestants keeping their powder dry for the autumn rush?

Still a few species added here and there all the same as reported to us on the monthly score submission forms.

A Little Stint on Brownsman pond was a nice addition to Ed Tooth's Farne Islands year list while Stuart Taylor clocked a flyover Iceland Gull at Balivanich.

Proper #patchgold was the order of the day however with several sites noting some excellent patch birds. Treecreeper on an island without trees is certainly a good one! This was the highlight of the month for Mark Newell on the Isle of May while John Bowler picked up on a Little Grebe at Balephuil, Tiree, a species which is less than annual there. John and Mark remain in second and third place respectively on the points table while Mark holds third place on the comp table with 92.5%.

Shag was a full blown patch first for IanT at Askernish, South Uist. Ian remains in second place on the comp table for another month, now on 95% and within sight of his target for the year.

Little Grebe at Balephuil... an evocative record shot of some #patchgold! © John Bowler

Islands Minileague - June 2016

After a rarity-filled, hectic May, relative calm returns to the Islands Minileague during June. David Wood remains in first place on the comparative table at The Oa, edging slightly closer to his target for the year, now on 99.3%.

Swift was a welcome addition to IanT's patch year list at Askernish as they are not easy that way out west plus two bonus patch ticks with Long-eared Owl and a snazzy Red-necked Phalarope! This results in a percentage jump into the 90's where Ian keeps hold of second place for another month with 92.9%.

Mark Newell is close behind in third on 90.9%, having overtaken Bryan Rains on Mull. Mark added House Sparrow to his Isle of May list in June, bringing his overall patch life list to 200. Quite the patch milestone. Well done!

No update from Bardsey during June but Steve Stansfield still claims first place on the points table for another month. John Bowler is catching up however with seven points added at Balephuill in the form of Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint and Turtle Dove. This would normally be considered a fine haul if it wasn't for the White-throated Sparrow, singing Icterine Warbler and singing Marsh Warbler which John also saw on Tiree during June but all of which were off the patch!

Bruce Taylor looks like he is giving PWC's own Ryan Irvine a run for his money when it comes to sofaseawatching. Bruce gained some excellent bonus points with a White-billed Diver scoped from his lounge at Brevig on Barra! Add to this, Long-tailed and Pomarine Skua too! Bruce jumps from ninth to fourth on the points table. 

Other monthly mentions included a Crane at Balivanich for Stuart Taylor, a Quail on the Farne Islands for Ed Tooth and Tree Pipit plus Bar-tailed Godwit for Sean Morris on Rum.

Islands Minileague - May 2016

Some of the highlights from a fantastic May in the Islands Minileague: top left - Eastern Olivaceous Warbler (Steve Minton); top centre - Blyth's Pipit (Steve Stansfield); top right - Greenish Warbler (Ben Porter); bottom left - Black Kite (Steve Stansfield); bottom centre - Eastern Subalpine Warbler (Steve Stansfield); bottom right - Rook (John Bowler)

David Wood tops the Islands Comparative Minileague at the end of May with a clear 12% lead on IanT at Askernish who drops to second after taking the lead last month. David owes his good fortune to bonus points gleaned from a Subalpine Warbler found at The Oa along with some good supporting cast for Islay in the form of Turtle Dove and Little Ringed Plover. He finishes the month with 98% and ready to hit his target soon.

Plenty of change in the rankings elsewhere on the comp table with many contestants adding well to their scores in what was a very productive month to be patching on an island. Six patch birders are now over 75% with Bryan Rains, Paul Higson and Steve Minton gaining ground in the top five.

Steve Stansfield who patches on the mighty island of Bardsey comes charging in and takes first place on the Islands Points Minileague table with a mega Spring record of Blyth's Pipit, Eastern Subalpine Warbler, Black Kite, Red-breasted Flycatcher, two Greenish Warblers and a flock of Mute Swans (8th record for Bardsey). All of this results in 135 species, 219 points and 1.622 Points Per Bird, the highest score in each of those categories in the minileague. With a comp score of 308 points to work against, Steve has done well so far but still has a long way to go.

Former head of the table, John Bowler, isn't too far behind in second place at Balephuil. A Pectoral Sandpiper was his bonus points scoring highlight of the month (helping to take him over 200 points) but it was a migrant Rook which provided the real element of #patchgold as they are less than annual on the island!

Steve Minton dug out one of the rarity finds of the year with an Eastern Olivaceous Warbler in his garden at Scatness. It may not be the most colourful of vagrants but let us not detract from its value too much here. Being the first Spring record since 2008, a well deserved 15 points awarded for finding that one will go down well with Steve! He secures himself a fourth place position as a result.

Like Bardsey, the Welsh island of Skomer has also been enjoying a great Spring where Jason Moss (in fifth place) provides us with the following mouth-watering update: "Iberiae Yellow Wagtail (and a decent looking one at that. Record to be sent to BBRC), Black-headed Bunting (8 previous records; 3rd year in a row), drake Garganey, Red Kite, Marsh Harrier (2), Little Ringed Plover (island mega; 6 previous records), Cuckoo, Nightjar (another island biggy; 12 previous records), Nightingale (8 previous records), Woodchat Shrike (2 stonking males) and Red-backed Shrike (another stonking male)."... Wow!!

On Scilly, a singing Great Reed Warbler was a welcome surprise for John Headon at Hugh Town and Lower Moors. IanT connected with a Nightingale at Askernish, a patch first for him and a rare bird in general for Scotland. Red-breasted Flycatcher, Turtle Dove, Hawfinch and Common Redpoll showed up on Barra for Bruce Taylor while another Hawfinch was seen by Barry Hamill at Burray.  

Islands Minileague - April 2016

April was a fairly decent month for many of the Island patchers. A couple of true #patchgold entries were submitted (Great Tit for John Bowler at Balephuil and Canada Goose for IanT at Askernish) along with a few other patch firsts in the form of Iceland Gull for Mark Newell on the Isle of May and Great White Egret for IanT at Askernish. Probably the highlight of the month for Steve Minton at Scatness was a pod of Orca cruising by. Although not birds, they're freaking awesome and I'm sure many of us would love them as a patch tick!

Credit: Steve Minton

After 10 weeks away in Spain, IanT returned in style and topped pole position of the Islands Comparative Minileague. On his return to patch, he added twenty-seven species, including two patch firsts (Great White Egret and Canada Goose) leaving him on 98 species and 78.8% for April. All but one patcher have at least broken the 50% milestone and are steadily adding species, and with only a few percent separating the top 3, May could see a change at the top again. 

Moving on to the Island Points Minileague, while points have increased, there's no change for 1st, 2nd or 3rd place. John Bowler at Balephuil remains on the highest perch with some cracking birds added for the year (Corncrake, Manxie, Little Tern, Mealy Redpoll, and Lapland Bunting), while Paul Higson at Quoyangry clings on in 2nd despite not adding any species in April. Barrie Hamill at Burray is hot on Paul's heels in 3rd with finds including Hawfinch, Little Gull, and Black Redstart. As April ends, only one point separates 2nd and 3rd place.

Elsewhere, Bryan Rains had the first Iceland Gull for five year on patch at Pennyghael, Mull. Alastair Forsyth at Palace, Orkney also had Iceland Gull in addition to Carrion Crown (very uncommon) and Common Scoter which is less than an annual visitor to his patch. A drake Garganey graced Steve Minton's patch, while Bruce Taylor's highlights were Gropper at Brevig and White-billed Diver at Ardmhor.

Islands Minileague - March 2016

While a number of challengers suggested March was a quiet month on their respective islands, there was still a steady progression up the minileagues and highlights added by a number of folk this month. The humble Woodpigeon graced the paths of both Emma Webb and Russel Neave at Sanday providing them with a much needed tick. Elswhere, more common mainland species attracted attention with Great tit for Ed Tooth on the Farne Islands, a tricky combination of Jackdaw and Rook for Alastair Forsyth at Palace, Birsay, a #patchgold Mute Swan for John Headon at Hugh Town and Lower Moots, and finally a Mistle Thrush at Brevig for Bruce Taylor. 

John Bowler at Balephuil made no additions to his patch list for the month, instead trading it for the warmer climes of Cambodia, where he managed 350 species and 130 world lifers including Giant Ibis! While he listed no highlights for the month, Steve Minton did make do with multiple viewings of the aurora from Scatness...

Awesome aurora (Credit: Steve Minton)

Moving on to the comparative minileague, David Wood moves his Oa, Islay patch into pole position, knocking Paul Higson down into second place. Having finished in third last month, IanT at Askernish now finds himself dropping into fifth behind Bryan Rains and Barrie Hamil in third and fourth. A number of patchworkers broke the 50% barrier in March - Steve Minton, Stuart Taylor and Sean Morris.

No change at the top of the points league with John Bowler and his Balephuil patch still reigning supreme on 94 species and 146 points despite being in Cambodia for six weeks. Paul Higson at Quoyangry is slowly catching up, closing the gap to nine points. Will that sabbatical off patch prove costly for John Bowler next month!?

Elswhere, Mark Newall connected with a Water Pipit on the Isle of May (3rd island record and a patch tick), however, it wasn't enough to keep him from descending two places down the league. Sean Morris managed to move both his patches up the board from last place. A brute of a Glaucous Gull graced his Kilmory patch but more impressively, Sean added 433 BirdTrack records for Kilmory and 659 records for Kinloch. Great effort!

Islands Minileague - February 2016

There's no change at the top of the Islands Comparative Minileague, however, with less then 1% between the top two positions, Paul Higson at Quoyangry is holding on by the skin of his teeth. Will the March results see David Wood at RSPB Oa, Islay knock Paul from the top of the podium? He's already managed to displace IanT and his Askernish patch from second place by adding a further nine species to his tally and increasing his comparative score by fourteen percent. His Richardson's Goose find wasn't too shabby either...

Richardson's Goose, Oa (Credit: David Wood)

Looking further down the table more patches have broken (or will soon) the midway milestone this month, reaching fifty percent territory. There's no real major percentage difference across the board, and with the Spring migrants soon to be gracing us again, the league could see another shakeup as species are snatched here and there by the patchers.

Moving on to the all important points league, John Bowler has moved his Balephull patch to the top of the leader board, knocking Paul Higson at Quoyangry from his perch. Adding 26 additional points and finishing the month with 94 species and 146 points, he may be in pole position for some time to come! At Burray, Barrie Hamill has brought his patch into contention, switching places with IanT at Askermish, who couldn't muster an additional tick for February.

Islands Minileague - January 2016

Paul Higson makes his annual, White-billed Diver fuelled, grab for top spot before his self imposed torpor until spring. He outstrips IanT at Askernish by 4% to hit 59%. Ian himself started with a bang as both White-tailed Eagle and Grey Phalarope graced his patch with the latter a full-fat patch tick and the former now established as a patch regular. On Islay, David Wood made an excellent start on the Oa with 48% including a Little Auk which is a fair effort given the height of the cliffs on his patch! 

Paul also tops the points table with a whopping score of 120. Perennial Islands table-topper, John Bowler, sits in second spot with a Kumlien's Gull the only bonus points for him this time out (there will be more!) but a raft of 2 pointers put him in a decent position. Notably it was the same two patches lined up in reverse order this time last year and both are down on last years opening month (Paul scored 122 and John managed 126 in January 2015). IanT has made a better start than last year and is 12 points ahead meaning that whilst Barrie Hamill is also up on last year he is a place worse off.

A selection of the 700 Twite on the Oa - David Wood

Five patches recorded Little Auks in January which is to be expected for these forntiers men and women at this time. Other standard two point fare included white-winged gulls and Slavionian Grebes. There was a Kumlien's Gull at Scatness for Steve Minton in the half hours daylight up there. On Scilly, John Headon was left frustrated by a Surf Scoter that wouldnt make itself visible from his patch whilst at Askernish, YvonneB consoled herself on Ian's fast start by finding a Water Rail which he failed to connect with. As Barra makes its debut this year there were White-tailed Eagles on both patches for Bruce Taylor. More Western Isles White-tailed Eagle action was at Balivanich for Stuart Taylor who also added a patch tick in the form of Guillemot. On the Isle of May, Mark Newell went owl crazy with 22 (twenty two) Short-eared Owls and a patch tick Barn Owl. Nice!

Islands Minileague - December 2015

Despite gaining no points throughout December, the final month of the year finds Alastair Forsyth still firmly rooted in first place in the comparative minileague, claiming the crown with an impressive 117%. Congratulations! Ian T holds onto second place at Askernish with a similarly formidable score while Bryan Rains concludes the glorious triumvirate with 108% at Pennyghael, aided by a welcome two points courtesy of a stranded Little Auk that was promptly rested and released. David Wood concluded 2015 in fourth position on Islay while, in a final flourish, Paul Higson snatched fifth place from John Bowler. Further down the table things remained largely the same though with 2016 here at last and a clean slate for all competitors I wonder how the table will look come the end of January.

John Bowler claimed the top spot in the points minileague this month with a truly mighty 343 points at Balephuil on the Isle of Tiree. A well deserved victory if ever there was one. Steve Standsfield retained second place at Barsdey while Jason Moss also made to the podium following an impressive run on Skomer. Despite many patchers struggling to unearth any new species throughout December there were still a number of highlights throughout this extremely hit or miss league. Among these Logan Johnson's Mourning Dove stands head and heels above the rest. Looking past this however a White-Tailed Eagle for Yvonne at Askernish was equally welcome while elsewhere in the league John Headon notched both Merlin and Sparrowhawk and Logan added two good Shetland birds in the form of Goldfinch and Water Rail.

- James C (Patchwork Challenge)

Islands Minileague - November 2015

Alastair Forsyth keeps his roll going and an additional 3% in November takes him onto 117% and extends his formidable lead to 9%. Perhaps an unbridgeable gap? Pochard, Grey Plover and Common Scoter were this months additions at Palace. With no word from Mull this month, Ian T takes advantage and climbs into second after a successful #Patchday and his first Corn Bunting at Askernish since 2012. John Bowler becomes the fifth member of the 100% gang which is especially impressive considering his 343 target.

Ian T at Askernish on #Patchday courtesy of YvonneB

John remains top by miles and adds 18 points in November including self found Lesser Scaup and Waxwing. Neither Bardsey nor Skomer troubled the scorers in November but remain in second and third place respectively whilst Burray Barrie (Hamill) scored a solitary one in fourth. Hurricane Abigail delivered a late House Martin for Stuart Taylor at Balivanich which should have been a Cave Swallow really whilst on Scilly finders points evaded John Headon when a Lesser Scaup was identified from photographs.

Islands Minileague October 2015

October's comparative Islands minileague sees Alastair  Forsyth take the top spot with a 10% increase, knocking Bryan Rains down a peg after Pennyghael could only offer one addition for the month - Goldcrest.

While still in third position, Ian T broke the 100% barrier with three new patch ticks (Yellow-browed Warbler, Little Egret and a #patchgold Coot!) which bolstered his score by 9% and carried him over the threshold. David Wood at RSPB Oa, Islay also jumped the 100% target this month with the help of Yellow-browed Warbler. Heading closer is Stuart Taylor who sees a 4% increase with the addition of four new species added to his patch list, while John Bowler made a leap from 8th to 6th position this month with an impressive 13% improvement.

No change at the top of the points league as John Bowler firmly held his ground and remained in the lead with the addition of a further nine species and bonus points for Baird's Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs  (only Tiree's second) American Wigeon  and Leach's Petrel which gave him 45 extra points. Quite a month for John!

With no further species added for October, Jason Moss lost his 2nd place to Steve Stanfield who had a cracking Bluetail on his Bardsey patch. However, Steve's move into 2nd place was no match for John's whopping 52 point lead. It seems John and his Isle of Tiree patch may be enjoying pole position for quite some time!

Islands Minileagues - September 2015

No change for Bryan Rains who remains in first place on the Islands Comparative Minileague table at Mull with 107%. Bolstering his second place score is Alastair Forsyth at Palace, Birsay where five Sooty Shearwaters (but still no Manx!) helped increase his post-milestone score to 104%.

Gains are being made elsewhere on the table with those in third, fourth and fifth place now well in striking distance of their 100% target. 

After his mega patch Magpie back in August, IanT added somewhat more expected but welcome species such as Pied Flycatcher and Turtle Dove to his Askernish list in September plus a #patchgold Whinchat, taking him to third place. David Wood has been knocked down from third to fourth on the Oa (a Pied Fly for him) while Stuart Taylor rises to fifth at Balivanich with a Grey Phalarope and his first ever Kestrel for the patch.

Paul Higson increases his comp score from 76% to 91.9% at Quoyangry where two Pectoral Sandpipers together no doubt made for a classic September patch birding moment.

In the points minileague, John Bowler continues his reign in first place with 8 new species (27 points) and 3 self-found scarcities at Balephuil, Tiree which included Barred Warbler, 5 Yellow-browed Warblers, Buff-breasted Sandpiper and Balearic Shearwater. A fine Baird's Sandpiper remained just off-patch for John. While 282 points is an enviable score, he still has some way to go before his comp score of 343 is reached. 

Jason Moss lands in with an update from Skomer, seeing him take second place and move past 200 points with the following list of mouthwatering patch birds: 2 Wood Sandpipers and Firecrest in August and a busy September which boasted a self-found Spotted Crake, Goshawk, 3 Yellow-browed Warblers, Long-tailed Skua and 2 Balearic Shearwaters as well as a sweep of Blue, Great and Coal Tits (island megas).

Barrie Hamill moves down to third place at Burray but joins the Yellow-browed Warbler fanclub with one there during September. How many island patches will host this fantastic Sibe by the end of the autumn? Most of them with any luck!

Island contestants are now poised for what can be the most exciting month of the year. Between viz-mig and the chance of a mega, we look forward to seeing what the October installment of the islands minileague blog posts has in store.

Barred Warbler, Long-eared Owl and Yellow-browed Warbler at Balephuil, Tiree © John Bowler

Islands - August 2015

Bryan Rains managed to overcome a computer glitch and find 11 species down the back of the sofa... The Black-tailed Godwit this month also helped him climb to top spot in the comparative minileague and 5% clear of Alastair Forsyth who has climbed into second and cleared the 100% barrier thanks to an Orkney record count of 666 Swifts plus some actual point scorers in Little Stint, Iceland Gull and Curlew Sandpiper. Congratulations to both. David Wood mentioned at the bird fair that not being on patch this month might hinder him and so it proves as he slips from the top to third and with Ian T breathing down his neck it may all change by the end of September.

Magpie at Askernish - Ian T

John Bowler maintains his place on the top of the points tree in the Islands Minileague but added some solid two pointers including his third Spotted Redshank on Tiree. Barrie Hamill added 24 points this month including finding Red-backed Shrike and Icterine Warbler. This jumps Barrie up from fourth into second. Jason Moss missed the deadline so we dont know if he managed to make progress. Aside from the birds already mentioned there is only one that we need mention and it is the ultimate slice of #Patchgold - a Magpie at Askernish for Ian T. This is the first record for South Uist and the second for the Outer Hebrides so a great bird although only a single point (it would have got bonus points had there not been one at Eoropie earlier in the year).