Inland Scotland Minileague - October

A quiet October for the Inland Scotland points league, with three new species added by Alastair Forsyth at Old Nisthouse ensuring his lead remains unchallenged (a Siberian Chiffchaff and a patch tick Blue Tit the highlights for him). Just rewards for a non-motorised and active BirdTrack contributing patchworker.

The only real change on the rest of the points league table concerns Graeme Garner at Cambus who crossed the 100 species mark taking him from third to second place.

No change the comparative league rankings whatsoever with Alastair now rocking a fine 129.7%. Andy Cage at Kilmany increased his second place score slightly. Will Chris Pendlebury at Dunblane take his spot by the end of the year?

Coastal Scotland Minileague - October

A league full of large species lists, points totals and points per bird scores, Coastal Scotland features some of the biggest hitters in PWC with an enviable array of mouth watering rarities accumulated between them and October was always going to be the month for it.

Peter Donnelly on North Ronaldsay moves into first place thanks to finds of no less than three Olive-backed and a Pechora Pipit plus connecting with an American Wigeon. He may have dipped on the Black-billed Cuckoo and Grey-cheeked Thrush but picked up on some crucial island rarities in the form of a Corncrake (found on his birthday) and a Blue Tit! John Bowler at Balephuil, Tiree slips into second place but only by a matter of nine points so the top rankings are in no way set with two months still to go. He added nine new species in October including Lesser Scaup, two Ring-necked Ducks and a Rose-coloured Starling bringing his points per bird score up to a very fine 1.978 (a score of 2.0+ is certainly on the cards). Rare subspecies for John included the first record of sinensis Cormorant for Argyll, a blythi Lesser Whitethroat and a rostrata Redpoll.

No change for Gary Bell at Sumburgh or Steve Minton at Scatness, who both remain in third and fourth place respectively but Mike Pennington at Baltasound moved up one place, into fifth thanks to additions of Treecreeper, Firecrest, Bluethroat, Great Grey Shrike, Blue Tit & Grasshopper Warbler. Not much movement elsewhere on the table save for Peter Stronach at Durness who shifts from fourteenth to tenth place with good local additions of Hawfinch, Yellow Wagtail & European White-fronted Goose.

Some real patchgold in the form of a Shore Lark found at Askernish by Ian T has raised a few eyebrows with the possibility of it being a 'Horned Lark' from across the pond.

A big change up in the comparative league where John Bowler takes first place with 113.9%, followed by Andrew Whitehouse at Girdle Ness moving into second knocking Stephen Welch at Gosford Bay (formerly top of the table) into third. All of the top five are now above 100% with Dave W at Burray and Mark Lewis at Girdle Ness now taking fourth and fifth place respectively.

South Coast Minileagues - October

Andy Johnson at Sandy Point reckons he's heading for his worst patch year ever yet six new species added in October sees him within reach of first place, currently held by Adam Faiers at Sandwich Bay. Just two species and seven points separate them. A productive November could see some shake up there either way.

After Septembers Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler, Amy Robjohns connected with another fantastic eastern passerine at Titchfield Haven in October, this time a Siberian Stonechat. What a great Autumn at that site! Amy stays in third place whilst Mark Lawlor on Guernsey and Andy Rhodes at Calshot both move up into the top five, taking fourth and fifth place respectively.

Adam Faiers continues to top the comparative league table with a mighty 141.51%! An extra three species (including Ring Ouzel) sees Mark Lawlor within striking distance of breaking even on last year.

South West Minileague - October

"Worst October on Portland ever!" exclaimed Joe Stockwell! The leader of the points table added just the one species in October, albeit a Rose-coloured Starling. Thankfully for him this hasn't affected his comfortable points lead.

Despite being a dreadful month on Portland(!), Sean Foote still managed to add six new species, staying in third place and a further eight new species for Kev Rylands at Dawlish Warren sees him keep hold of second, extra points gained there from a Bonaparte's Gull. Otherwise, six new species for Roger Musgrove at Wall Common sees him jump from eight to fifth place, with Dick Best at Steart not far behind moving from ninth to sixth, both patch workers connecting with the same cracking juvenile Pallid Harrier. 

Roger  Musgrove continues to top the comparative league table increasing his score to an impressive 113.45% with Shaun Robson at Lychett Bay and Dick Best now joining him in the post 100% positions, taking second and third respectively. Shaun finally unblocked Pectoral Sandpiper at his patch, 22 years after the last record there! Marcus Lawson at Swineham GPs is a close fourth with 99.45% moving up from sixth to fourth after connecting with a White-winged Black Tern. 

London Minileagues - October

Adam Bassett continues his steady run in first place on the London points table at Little Marlow GP despite no change since September. Nick Croft's Wanstead patch moves up to second place thanks to a flyover Lapland Bunting and an impressive four tick day with Lapwing, Golden Plover, Dunlin and Brambling all greatly recieved. No additions for Nick's Rainham RSPB patch which now drops to third, Mark Walford stays in fourth at Dinton Pastures as does Michael Terry in fifth.

Little change in the comparative league table, but a great local record of Great Northern Diver at Hosehill Lake LNR sees Michael Terry stay in first on 112.26% whilst Roger Hicks at Henlow Grange moves from sixth to fifth place.

Ireland Minileague - October

October brought no change to the top five rankings in the Irish Minileague Points table with Dave Suddaby at Blacksod still at the helm, a purple patch resulting in an additional 14 species and 47 points since last month culminating in a mighty 1.80 points per bird score. Niall Keogh at Kilcoole clings on to second with the addition of two new species and Neal Warnock at Larne Lough stays steady in fourth despite adding seven new species in October. No change for Julian Wyllie at Baltimore or Eamonn O'Donnell at Ninch/Laytown in third and fifth place respectively. 

The big change in the Comparative League comes as Dave's bonus finds shoot him up to first place with a lofty 108.5%, usurping the O'Donnells from their first/second place tussle of recent months. Each of the top three percentages scores are above 100% followed by four above 90% and two above 80%. Neal Warnock makes it to fifth place here after a good month on Rathlin Island.

The undoubted find of the month came in the form of that jewel of the east, a Red-flanked Bluetail found by Dave Suddaby near his Blacksod garden. The first county record for Mayo and the fourth Irish record overall. Well worthy of 15 points. This bird did the honourable thing and hung around long enough for many to make the journey to twitch it. Niall Keogh also scored an eastern passerine with a vocal Siberian Chiffchaff at Newcastle resulting in a couple of extra rare subspecies points (SPLIT! I hear you shout?)...

Four patch ticks on Rathlin Island for Neal Warnock came in the form of Tree Pipit (a great record for Northern Ireland), Sooty Shearwater, Mediterranean Gull and Little Gull. Neal's Garden Warbler on Rathlin is also worthy of mention, as every scarce passerine found there is a hard won victory. Other scarcities coming in on the score submission forms include a Spotted Redshank at Broad Lough for Alan Lauder and a Balearic Shearwater at Brownstown Head for Paul Walsh. Despite already being over 100%, I'm sure Michael O'Donnell was releaved to finally add Skylark in October at Kilmichael!

Back of the camera pic of the Blacksod Red-flanked Bluetail. Highlight of the Autumn for many Irish birders © Dave Suddaby

Wales Minileague - October

 It had to happen and with Ben Porter heading off island Steve Stansfield takes over at the top in October. Jason Moss threatens to bisect the Bardsey duo but news reaches us that Jason has just finished his stint on Skomer - so close. Matt Meehan is the best of the mainlanders and Barry Stewart remains fifth.

In terms of best birds this month a hatful of Barred Warblers on Bardsey were split with three to Ben and one to Steve. Steve also managed Leach's Petrel, Long-tailed Skua and Sabine's Gull. Jason scored with similar species adding his own Barred Warbler, Sabines and Long-tailed Skua but with additional Balearic Shearwaters, Yellow-browed Warbler and Melodious Warbler. He also managed a bit of Patch Gold in the form of a Mute Swan.

There was a Yellow-brow at Kenfig which was found by Darren Coombs although David Carrington managed to see it as well. A duo of Firecrests at Crymlyn Burrows and Newport Wetlands were the other scarcities on offer. Find of the month is undoubtedly Mark Hipkin's Kentish Plover.

Alison remains top and in the comparative league Ben remains ahead of Steve in second place. Steve actually managed to jump four places as he tops 100%. Adam Tilt at Cefn Drum is this months other big mover as he climbs two spots. 100% is certainly attainable for most of the other competitors. Good luck in the final couple of months of PWC 2014.