Wednesday 11 March 2015

NGB Patchwork Challenge: Feb 2015 results

A new month in the Next Generation Birders minileague reveals a new leader; Anthony Bentley has pulled out a big gap at the top adding a massive 36 points during February including bonus points for finding Frampton’s 6th Great White Egret. Anthony’s point-filled month means our January leader Joe Stockwell is pushed down to second at Ferrybridge whilst the top 3 is rounded off with Laurie Allnatt at Llanelli. In addition to his podium position, Laurie landed what will possibly prove to be the best NGB PWC find of the year with Carmarthenshire’s first ever Bonaparte’s Gull on the 3rd! A brilliant find that shows what dedication to a patch can bring, will someone else get a similar reward in the coming months?
 
Jonathan Farooqi may be out of the medals but he is hot on the heels of Laurie with only 1 point separating the 2 patchers. Lee Fuller remains in 5th, 1 ahead of Cathal Forkan who jumped up 6 places at Galway Bay, receiving a very handy 4 points along the way when the long-staying Forster’s Tern showed up during the month. A PWC newcomer rounds off the top 10, Drew Lyness at UEA jumps straight in at the deep end and like our leader was rewarded with a self-found Great White Egret.
 
The highlight section provide some classic #patchgold moments. James Common was delighted with his 2nd ever record of Moorhen at Stobswood, Sammy Pengelly added a female Pheasant which are scarce on her Llanelli patch, and Matthew Bruce saw his first Egyptian Goose and Ravens at ‘The Puddle’.