Wrapping up 2018

After the Velvet Scoters in mid November, I managed just two further additions for Patchwork Challenge 2018 the first was Great White Egret on 25 November, finally catching up with the bird that had been frequenting the area for around 3 weeks. The second were two Waxwings, which were calling from the hedge by the conveyor outfall next to the Trent when I pulled up on 9 December; unfortunately they were immediately flushed by a dog walker and flew west across the Trent Valley.

Great White Egret

I finished the year on 137 species, and 160 points. This was not, however, my worst performance, despite the significant reduction in patch visits as a result of Dad Duties:

Number of visits

Species and points by year

Points per bird by year

Cumulative species total by 10 day period

Highlights during the year were Bearded Tit, Grey Phalarope and Velvet Scoter, which were full fat patch ticks (and the latter the first in Notts since 1996), along with Spotted Redshank and Waxwing, which were firsts for the Patchwork Challenge era. Added to these were the likes of Turtle Dove, Black Tern, Little Gull, Sanderling, Turnstone, Grey Plover, Whimbrel and Garganey, so all in all it was an OK year. Notable omissions included  included Brambling, Red Kite, Ruff, Tree Sparrow and Whinchat...

Bearded Tit

Velvet Scoters

Away from the patch, and it was a pretty unspectacular year for bird finding and twitching; a fortnight on Unst in the autumn was particularly missed... I guess my best find was the Kumlien's Gull at Cotham Landfill, which also frequented Hoveringham and Kilvington, and was just the second of this form for Notts. My only ticks were Snowy Owl (Snettisham in March) and the Grey Catbird... Hopefully 2019 will deliver a bit more. 

Kumlien's Gull

Snowy Owl

Grey Catbird