It came as a great and welcome surprise to see the mighty Stutton lying second on one of the inaugural Patchwork Challenge tables last week. Admittedly, the table was formed from only 75 of the 200 or so Patches entered, so for all I know the other 125 could be sitting on 100+ species already and were just waiting until the month end to put their scores in. Maybe they were doing the right thing and actually birding rather than blogging about it.
Since the NYD thrash around for 76 species, matters have slowed down considerably. At the time of writing I have edged up to 90 species with the only additional two-pointer being a red-head Smew from the hides on Alton Water. Still present today so the vice-Chairman of S.M.O.G. tells me. Unfortunately for me, the five Eider that I saw off the barge a fortnight ago where just outside my patch, but fortunately for my neighbour Richard, they were in his (Holbrook). In the spirit of fairplay, I did phone him and he was able to add this Stour Estuary mega to his list for two points.
My two-point tally is represented so far by that Smew, the Great Northern Diver, Slavonian Grebe and, for us southerners, the generously handicapped Little Egret and Dark-bellied Brent Goose. I am rather disappointed that Pink-footed Goose only scores one point - but we can't have it all our own way. Richard on the other hand has jammed a Waxwing opposite his house and more skilfully picked up a Firecrest and several other two-pointers. I am not at all bitter that he saw this in an area where our Patches overlap.
On the "Need it" list still and what I would judge to be realistically attainable over the next 5-6 weeks are Kingfisher, Goosander, Linnet (what is the world coming to), Avocet, Grey Wagtail, Little Owl, Barn Owl and Water Rail. Other stuff that is around and could do me the kindness of showing up are Shag, Common Scoter, Long-tailed Duck (becoming more of a long shot), Marsh Harrier and Scaup. Another scarce grebe or diver would be nice, as would a grey goose (Tundra Bean or White-front please). The herd of 500 plastic Greylags has so far delivered the aforementioned Pink-foot and a bonus Barnacle. I might have to go and torch some fields for Woodcock as well. So if all of that lot puts in a show, we should still be flying high.
*This is where I refer you back to the title. You know how it is at the start of the football season (or any other sport you care to follow), when a team outside of the big four has a good start and then they just tail off. Stutton and Holbrook, I fear, are in that bracket. They are very good winter birding spots, but if you want a slice of migrant heaven, look elsewhere. Or maybe, just maybe, I shall be singing a different tune by the end of May...
Collared Flycatcher anyone?
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