Patchwork Challenge 2016 - so far
Yes, once again I have taken part in Patchwork Challenge this year, where you try to see as many birds as possible at your local area. These species then represent points, depending on how scarce they are.
So far this year, I am on 80 species which is equivalent to 84 points, which is 62% of last years total. 2 Patch Lifers have come into play so far, in fact yesterday, with a Caspian Gull, and a flyover male Marsh Harrier...
Other highlights this year have been the first Sand Martin, 2 Egyptian Geese (first in 5 years for me) - both yesterday, and a Peregrine...
We also had a male Blackcap in our garden on 11th March, which is my first winter record for the patch!
record shot
Lifers for 2016
We had great views of Lapland Buntings at Blakeney in Norfolk on 2 occasions - there have been up to 15 birds present!
We also had a drake Green-winged Teal at Blythburgh, Southwold, but it was too distant for a picture. The final lifer we had was Golden Pheasant.
Other Good Birds in 2016
We connected with the Pallid Harrier at Flitcham and later on at Roydon at the start of the year - great bird!
We also had Ferruginous Duck and Scaup at Holkham Park...
Also had a very nice drake Red-crested Pochard at Lackford Lakes along with the Long-tailed Duck
Also had Jack Snipe at Strumpshaw and Snow Bunting at Winterton on Feb 28th.
We also had a Glossy Ibis at Hollesley on 7th Feb, but it was a bit distant for us. We also had some White-fronted Geese on the same day at North Warren...
2 weeks ago, we had a cracking (but extremely mobile) Black Redstart at Shingle Street, which was another year tick...
And finally, Alton Water has held every UK species of Grebe this winter along with 2 Great Northern Diver!
Great Northern Diver
Black-necked Grebe
Great Northern Diver
Black-necked Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
This Slavonian Grebe was taken on New Years Day at Covehithe Broad.
Year List currently stands on 152. Life List currently stands on 281!
Happy Birding!
