MANCHESTER BIRDING 2009 TOURNAMENT RANKINGS BOARD

CLICK HERE FOR THE 'RUNNERS AND RIDERS' FOR 2009

Please note the small changes in the guidelines and points awards for some species this year (see here), they reflect changes in the status of some county species with regards to county rarities and rule number 14 has been amended.

 2009 RANKINGS BOARD

* denotes species withheld due to sensitive reasons

2009 'WHO'S FOUND WHAT' UPDATES

Scroll down to the bottom of the page to read the updates starting in order from the beginning of the year

Update 31.12.09

This year was clearly the most close run Tournament of it's three year existence. There was considerable jostling for position all through the year with entrants leapfrogging each other up the rankings board at every given opportunity. The top spot changed hands a few times through the year but towards the back half Steve Atkins made it his own, though Rob Thorpe pushed him all the way and put in a huge effort in the dying days with his final attempt to whisk the trophy from under Steve's nose. It was not to be though and there was to be no final last points for the Wigan man as the Watergrove Wanderer took the trophy on this, his third Tournament. Congratulations and welcome to the Manchester Birding Tournament 'Hall of Fame'.

Those dying days of December did spell positional changes for some though and it as John Tymon who made the most of them, boosting himself up to an eventual 6th position thanks to Merlins at Pennington Flash on the 5th November (claimed belatedly so check the new rule number 16 for 2010!), Lowton on the 26th December and Glazebury on the 27th plus 9 Whooper Swans over Pennington Flash also on the 27th. Paul Heaton too added his last points of the year with yet another Merlin, this one being on Carrington Moss on the 27th.

Most importantly though, thanks to everyone who took part through the year, whether you scored a single point or not. The wining is not the idea behind the Manchester Birding Tournament it genuinely is the taking part, the getting out into our county, birding and proving it's worth. Because you know, when all said and done, it's really not that bad and when we make the most of it we stand up rather well ☺

Update 19.12.09

Perhaps amongst the very last of the points for this year they may be, but Rob Thorpe has never ceased in his quest for county self-finding and on the 19th he hits a jackpot! Proving yet again there are good birds out there to be found when others may have given up or at this late stage in the Tournament, conceded their final position on the ranking board, Rob picked out a very fine drake Green-winged Teal on Horrock's Flash, earning himself the full 35 points for such an excellent county rarity. This haul leaves him only 2 points behind long time leader Steve Atkins and leaves us with the closest run competition for it's entire three year run. Can Rob find those needed 3 points to win, I certainly know he'll be out there looking? Will Steve elevate his game and pull out all the stops to put some clearance back between himself and second spot? Will Simon Johnson, or indeed any of the other Tournamenteers making up the remaining positions manage to procure those big points to steal the title for themselves in these dying days? Will there still be a Tournament next year? Will Santa Claus come down your chimney on Christmas eve? Will there be a Bond movie on Christmas Day? I sincerely hope atleast some of those things come true, particularly the Bond movie. The name's Birding...Manchester Birding...

Update 17.12.09

It's nearly all over bar the shouting but has the Manchester Birding Tournament seen the last of it's points for the year and indeed will there be a Tournament next year? So to the remainder of 2009 and as the birding slows only two Tournamenteers manage to score points. Simon Johnson only receives a single point for what was a flock of Whooper Swans over Heaton Park Reservoir on the 28th of November but as Simon never actually saw the flock and hence any birds, in line with Paul Hammonds similar episode last year, it's only worth one! He continues to nibble away at leader Steve Atkins' nineteen point advantage over him though and only requires a county rarity in the dying days of the year to grab the title. Unless of course something entirely different happens along the way! Meanwhile, Hollingworth Lake's finest Simon Hitchen promotes himself to a very well deserved seventh overall place thanks to a fine Iceland Gull there on the 12th December.

And so onto next year's Tournament. Will there be one? That my friends is entirely up to you! This year's has been another success whatever happens next year, it has promoted county birding and indeed (I'm sure they will testify) has encouraged some entrants to get out birding when otherwise they might not have and to covers areas they wouldn't usually. That, by and large and other than having some fun along the way, is the whole point of the Tournament and I sincerely hope there are enough entrants to ensure it will live again in 2010. Hopefully we'll have the old and seasoned Tournamenteers back for another round along with some sprightly, enthusiastic Tournament virgins. There seems to be plenty of folk out the on the Manchester Birding forum, so where are you now when it's birth-giving mother, the Manchester Birding website, needs you? Let me know by email (at the address here) if you intend to enter please, all are welcome ☺

Update 26.11.09

With the end of the year closing in at a frankly alarming rate is the rankings board beginning to hint at it's ultimate outcome? Well, certain birders atleast seem hell bent on influencing where they will be at the close of play and they continue to produce good county finds. Mark Rigby persists with Castleshaw Reservoirs and reaps the rewards of local patch watching with a Rock Pipit on the 12th and 9 Whooper Swans on the 24th. Steve Atkins puts a few more points between himself in first position and those below him with 3 fine Snow Buntings on Bryon Edge on the 15th. On the 22nd, Geoff Hargreaves 'whoops' it up (geddit?) with 5 Whooper Swans at Platt Bridge, enough to vault him up another position but Simon Hitchen, not content with finding one Great Northern Diver (see below) goes on to find another, also at Hollingworth Lake on the 16th and with fine Tournamenteering such as that elevates himself to a current joint 8th position. Anymore for anymore anyone?

Update 09.11.09

Despite being few countable species of late, the quality of those found was top drawer stuff indeed and the fact that all those points were shared by a trio of Simon's was all the more remarkable. Simon Hitchen, quietly persevering week in week out at Hollingworth Lake finally seemed to get his fair share of the rewards on the 5th with not only a superb Great Northern Diver but  a sound supporting cast the same day of Merlin and 4 Whooper Swans. If only all days could be the same eh! Simon Johnson, never too far away from the points, succeeded yet again with 6 Whoopers at Heaton Park Reservoir and with them continued to close the gap on the Tournament's current leader. Simon Warford though bounded into third place overall with a fine Firecrest at Elton Reservoir on the 9th and with it reinforced the Manchester Birding Tournament ethos all over again, that those little (or indeed large!) gems are out there waiting to be found for those who persevere. Oh and of course, they might just be worth some points along the way ☺

Update 03.11.09

The shorter nights and colder climate of late October brings scant rewards for the ever persevering Manchester Birding Tournamenteers but there was still something to be had out there for those looking. On the 22nd John Tymon mopped up another two Pintail from Pennington Flash and on the 24th both he and Rob Thorpe clapped eyes on the same male Merlin at the same time. Telephone adjudication all the way from the Hayle Estuary, Cornwall ensued and they both rightly received the points for the cracking little raptor. On the 28th, Simon Johnson too nabbed yet another Pintail from Heaton Park Reservoir and to open up the new month, Simon Hitchen's cracking find of 6 Whooper Swans at Chelburn Reservoirs on the 3rd of November elevated him yet another place on the rankings board. 

Update 20.10.09

As the month of October rushes by the points are still out there to be picked up and pick them up the Tournamenteers do! After belatedly adding Steve Atkins' Bar-tailed Godwit points at Watergrove Reservoir on the 15th the next points come via a wandering pair of Whooper Swans on the 17th. The pair were seen by Rob Thorpe over Scotmans Flash and then at Abram Flash by Ian Woosey. The next day the same duo (of birders not swans!) blatantly steal a couple of Pintail from right under Geoff Hargreaves' nose at Low Hall Park, outstanding stuff indeed, especially as Geoff was present on site at the time! The 18th also brings 3 additional Crossbills to the flock at Walker Fold Wood for Simon Warford and speaking of Simons, another two Common Scoters at Heaton Park Reservoir for the other Simon, that of Johnson, also on the same date. Simon Johnson continues his points accrual and the surge for the top rankings spot that entails with 2 Whooper Swans and a further single Common Scoter all at is beloved Heaton Park Reservoir on the 19th and 20th respectively whilst on the latter date Mark Rigby hauls a Merlin out of Castleshaw Reservoirs as some rewards for his hard efforts there.

Update 16.10.09

It's all too easy to complain about how quiet it is in the county, for that's how it might seems currently. Some county birders though, namely those in the Manchester Tournament simply turn this to their advantage and get out there where others aren't, scouring different sites and habitats for potential points. And you know what, it works! Simon Warford, tired (nay bored?) with a water-less Elton sniffs the rarefied atmosphere of the Smithills Moors area and plucks out two fine Twite on the 12th. A return visit on the 16th bags him a tremendous 14 Crossbills at Walker Fold Woods and sufficient points to flirt him into 6th place and well within striking distance of the very top of the table. The very top of the table in fact takes another marked turn with Simon Johnson and his never-say-die attitude quite rightly elevating him into a fine 2nd position overall. All courtesy of Heaton Park Reservoir points on the 14th, determination or rather perseverance netted him a Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Common Scoter and a single Rock Pipit. On the 13th, Terry Thorpe gets a little of his own Whooper Swan action with two at Dover Basin whilst on the 15th, Mark Rigby improves his own rankings position very nicely with 8 Crossbills at Binn Green and another single at Castleshaw Reservoir.

Update 11.10.09

Autumn rolls on and the last of September's points are added courtesy of a Lesser Whitethroat in Astley for Andy Isherwood and another Pintail at Watergrove Reservoir for Steve Atkins both on the 28th. October breezes in and the points continue to come. Rob Thorpe adds a Pintail at the Wigan Flashes on the 7th and 6 Whooper Swans on Scotmans Flash on the 11th, the latter birds being originally seen and also claimed by Geoff Hargreaves at Abram Flashes earlier the same day. John Tymon get Pintail crazy at Pennington Flash with on the 8th and another single on the 11th. Steve Atkins continues his magic act at Watergrove Reservoir with fine points via two very fine Hen Harriers there on the 10th. On the 11th, the two Simons of Warford and Johnson blatantly take advantage of Steve Atkins' good nature, stealing 3 Ring Ouzels from his beloved Watergrove Reservoir whilst twitching the Hen Harrier he found there! Have they no conscience? In the Manchester Tournament, no, never and quite right too!

Update 27.09.09

As autumn moves on at a seemingly rapid rate on knots (where has it all gone?), so does the Manchester Tournament as it's accumulation of points surges forward likewise. On the 24th Rob Thorpe digs yet another Whinchat from Viridor Woods, whilst the next three days sees an influx of Pintail and points with 3 at Heaton Park Reservoir and one at Ringley for Simon Johnson and singles at Pennington Flash and Audenshaw Reservoirs for John Tymon and Paul Hammond respectively. Simon Johnson continues his pursuit of points at Heaton Park Reservoir with a timely Rock Pipit on the 26th and Common Scoter on the 27th.

Update 23.09.09

So who says there's no points out there? Who says they'll never find enough to be competitive? Who says it's too hard to compete (not that that's what it's all about anyway)? Sixty, yes sixty, points went begging in one go on the 18th as the county's first ever record of Rose-coloured Starling was found in a back garden in the urban setting of Birtle, Bury. How often do you check those Starlings around your house? Well, what's the point eh, what are the chances? Erm, not that bad really! Anyway those points went by the wayside as no Tournamenteer was involved despite it being a stones throw away from one entrants house, so what did our county's intrepid finders locate? Jimmy Meadows' never say die attitude and keen scarcity radar found him a cracking Grey Plover at Standish Hall Farm on the 13th. Simon Warford closed the gap on his Elton Reservoir Tournament competitor Paul Wilson, with another Spotted Flycatcher there on the 14th only to see Paul move ahead yet again (read further on). Simon Johnson dug more points from the currently underwhelming but surely soon to produce big time Heaton Park Reservoir on the 19th with a Little Gull and Elton Reservoir's current highest points scorer in the Tournament extended his lead with yet another Spotted Flycatcher and Garden Warbler on the same date. The 20th saw points additions for Steve Atkins (2 Pintail at Watergrove Reservoir), Rob Thorpe (Whinchat at Viridor Wood) and Ian Woosey (a further Whinchat at Viridor Wood). Completing our round up, Mark Rigby's persistent flogging of Castleshaw Reservoirs continues to provide him points, this time with a nice Merlin on the 22nd.

Update 13.09.09

Autumn's migrant surge continues and the Tournamenteers continue to mop up the points but there was also an element of what went 'missed' by our intrepid bunch of birders with over 40 points in one day alone in the Smithills Moor area. Of course they can't be everywhere so lets see what they did manage. On the 9th Terry Thorpe adds a Garden Warbler on the Viridor Wood/Abram Flashes boundary and the Tournaments current champ at this point in the year has a fine day with 3 Spotted Flycatchers chalked up, 1 on Crompton Moor and 2 at Watergrove. The very next day produced points for Simon Warford and Paul Wilson at Elton and for Ian Woosey at Haigh CP, all with single Spotted Flycatchers, a withheld species for David Winnard and another (nice male this time) Redstart for Simon Hitchen at Hollingworth Lake. Henry Cook picks up a Whinchat at Davenport Green on the 11th and Simon Johnson a Garden Warbler at Heaton Park the same day. Attempting to distance himself from the 'wooden spoon', Ian Woosey retrospectively claims a Garden Warbler at Haigh CP on the 4th of August and a Black-tailed Godwit at Abram Flashes on the 16th March, a late pitch for the top maybe? So, what's next? Will the autumnal bonanza continue? Will the Tournamenteers be there to cash in if so? I think you can put a safe bet on that atleast some of them will!

Update 08.09.09

What a difference a week makes! With autumn in genuine full charge the Tournament ranking board takes a real hammering as entrants add points and jostle for position once more. There's plenty gone on so here goes. Late August points come from a Garden Warbler at Davenport Greens by Henry Cook on the 13th and Spotted Flycatcher at Heron Lane, Moseley on the 29th for Steve Suttill, posting his first points of the year so far and putting himself in contention for the wooden spoon. Back to September and the 2nd sees Simon Warford continue his effort with a Garden Warbler at Elton but the 4th brings a red-letter day for Steve Atkins thanks to an excellent Osprey over Watergrove Reservoir which promoted him back to the top spot for the time being atleast. The 4th brings points for Paul Heaton with a Garganey at a private site and the 5th, points for Paul Wilson and Mark Rigby via Whinchats at Elton Reservoir and Castleshaw Reservoirs respectively. The 6th however proves to be a bumper day for points in the county, for those who were out there anyway. Rob Thorpe adds a Spotted Flycatcher at Viridor Wood, Paul Wilson and Simon Warford a Spotted Flycatcher at Elton and yet another Garden Warbler for the latter observer at the same location, Andy Isherwood keeps his hand in with Lesser Whitethroat and Whinchat at Hope Carr whilst John Tymon maintains the Tournament ethos and drops lucky with 2 fly-through Curlew Sandpipers at Pennington Flash which bring sufficient points to shove him up to 6th place overall. Last but by no means least, Ian Woosey lifts himself off the bottom of the rankings board and that wooden spoon position with a Lesser Whitethoat at Haigh Country Park on the 7th. It's been a busy week and hard work to keep up, so if I've omitted your points please let me know but keep up the sterling work all round.

Update 31.08.09

The ever industrious Tournamenteers remain busy as the autumn migration takes a firm hold of the county and continues to produce points if not exactly the real rares and scarce we were all hoping for. Still there's plenty of autumn yet to come! Anyway, Rob Thorpe maintains his tireless work rate around the county and manages a Lesser Whitethroat at Hawkley Hall on the 27th and Spotted Flycatcher and Black-tailed Godwit at Horrock's Flash on the 30th. Simon Warford's 'mud molestation' and 'bush bashing' of Elton Reservoir yields a Whimbrel on the 28th and Spotted Flycatcher and Garden Warbler on the 30th. The latter two species were also shared with co-finder Paul Wilson which enables him to keep touch with the new 4th placed Rob Thorpe as their own epic little battle continues tit for tat. Andy Isherwood remains never far from points and pulls a Spotted Flycatcher from Morley's Hall, Astley on the 30th but Ian Woosey, who's belated Greenshank at Abram Flashes on the 7th creeps him silently and unassumingly onto the rankings board, surely didn't forget to remind me on purpose now did he? Well you're on there now pal, so go on and do your worst ☺

Update 24.08.09

With autumn now in full flow (trickle?) in the county the Manchester Tournamenteers are present and correct, ready to take full advantage. On the 15th Simon Johnson adds an Elton Lesser Whitethroat to his points and on the 16th Rob Thorpe two Garden Warblers at Abram Flashes (Coffin Brook Flash end). On the 18th, Hollingworth Lake serves up it's regular watcher another Redstart and facilitates that man, Simon Hitchen to rise a couple of places on the board too. The 21st sees current county wader Mecca Castleshaw Reservoirs provide it's long suffering watcher, sorry long-serving watcher, Mark Rigby, with another very much appreciated Greenshank and Elton Reservoir stalwart Simon Warford manages another two Lesser Whitethroats out of that site. The 21st also sees 'dormant' Tournamenteer David Winnard pull the cat out of the bag and set it amongst the pigeons (the latter not countable of course!), reclaiming top Tournament spot with 8 Twite at Whittaker Lane, Littleborough. The 22nd finds a Pintail at Abram Flashes for Terry Thorpe, still a big bunch of points behind his son but hey, it's not a competition is it? No, wait a minute it is! Pull your socks up Terry, bragging rights for the older generation must be maintained ☺. Simon Johnson assists his Tournament ranking no end with a fine over-flying Little Egret above his flat in Whitefield on the 23rd, yet another great 'garden' bird and going to prove that guys sitting on balconies with telescopes aren't always perverts!

Update 15.08.09

How very could I? Rob Thorpe's Tournament plundering, county roaming, points finding efforts of late went unrewarded in yesterdays update as I omitted to add four more points of his, though I didn't have to wait long for the 'phone call letting me know my mistake ☺. Atleast I know someone reads this stuff anyway! So, four more points thanks to a Merlin on the Horwich Moors on the 9th and a Pintail on Horrocks Flash on the 12th bring him that much closer to Paul Cliff, who with two very early finds to his name seems to have been 'up the top' forever. Meanwhile, Mark Rigby's continued flogging of Castleshaw Reservoirs brings him a Greenshank as a nice reward on the 15th which bumps him up another spot towards the top.

Update 14.08.09

With early August failing to bring the (optimistically?) expected rare and scarce wader passage the Tournamenteers made do with whatever they could clap their eyes on. Steve Atkins finally broke the 100 points barrier and extended his lead at the top thanks to a nice run of countables at Watergrove with a Whimbrel on the 1st of August, Lesser Whitethroat on the 2nd and two Spotted Flycatchers there on the 8th. Simon Hitchen improved his current ranking thanks to a Redstart and two Lesser Whitethroats at Hollingworth on the 8th and Rob Thorpe plundered Horrocks Flash yet again also on the 8th and managed another Garganey. With the back half of the month yet to come with it bring the expected 'wader rush'? Can the Elton faithful capitalise on their current 'best inland mudflats in northern England' status? Bring it on.

Update 31.07.09

Late July brings the much anticipated (but never fully realised?) return wader passage to the county and with it the ever eager Tournamenteers to feast on what the mud brings! Rob Thorpe continues his determined effort and quest for points with a Whimbrel over Horrock's Flash on the 20th and two new Black-tailed Godwits there on the 23rd. Simon Hitchen takes home the award for 'top Tournamenteering of the month', stealing yet more points from under his mate's nose at Watergrove Reservoir with a Sanderling there on the 23rd also. Magic! Elton Reservoir's 'vast swathes of mud' brings home the bacon with 11 Black-tailed Godwits for Simon Johnson on the 9th bumping him up the rankings board nicely and bringing to an end his desperate points drought of recent months and Simon Warford, Elton's old faithful, snatches two Sanderling before anyone else could clap eyes on them and claim the points for themselves.

Update 20.07.09

July continues to be tough on the Tournamenteers but there's still points out there for those with a positive attitude or perhaps good luck! Either way (and I hasten to add it's mostly if not all the former qualities for this pair atleast) Andy Isherwood and Rob Thorpe persist with their constant efforts and are rewarded with a Ruff at Hope Carr for Andy on the 13th and for Rob two Garden Warblers (fully fledged young from an unknown nesting pair) at Horrock's Flash on the 11th, and Black-tailed Godwits consisting of a single at Horrock's on the 15th and three together at Pennington Flash (see, far superior!) on the 19th.

Update 09.07.09

It's tough at the top but despite Andy Isherwood's Garganey at Hope Carr on the 2nd of July, Steve Atkins holds onto his top spot for now, though being one of the hill dwellers never to complain about the alleged altitude handicap and indeed seemingly to excel in that rarefied air, I can see the battle for Tournament domination swaying to and fro plenty of times before the end of the year. Others to make hay during early July were Simon Warford leaping several places thanks to 14 Black-tailed Godwits at Rumworth on the 1st, Mark Rigby with a 'surely worth more than two points' Ruff at Castleshaw Reservoirs on the 2nd, Rob Thorpe with not one but two Greenshanks on Horrocks' Flash on the 4th and 5th and finally Paul Wilson nailing a (not known to have been breeding and fully fledged) family of Lesser Whitethroats (4 new in all) at Elton Reservoir.

Update 30.06.09

It's tough at the top and David Winnard's reign has come to a rather abrupt end as two Tournamenteers pass him in the same week. Steve Atkins makes the first decisive move thanks to a terrific Red Kite over Smallbridge, Rochdale on the 28th (with that halt those hill dwellers from complaining about how tough they have it up there at 'altitude' though?). That quite rightly firmly planted Steve in a well deserved and hard fought first position, bolstered by a Garden Warbler at Watergrove Reservoir and further Lesser Whitethroat, nice work indeed. Not too far behind, Andy Isherwood quietly finds a site first Sandwich Tern at Hope Carr NR on the 30th, thus also boosting him past David Winnard and still keeping him in touch with the leader, only 11 points behind. Of the rest, they still jostle for position and are only ever a 'biggy' or two away from the top with Simon Warford adding 6 Black-tailed Godwits at Rumworth on the 29th and Simon Hitchen, 3 Twite at Chelburn Reservoirs on the 28th.

Update 25.06.09

Not surprisingly, the 'mid-year lull' in county birding impacts on the Tournament and despite much trying only two entrants manage to put more points on the board, but what points they are! Rob Thorpe continues his assault on the leaders with an excellent Osprey at the Wigan Flashes on the 3rd, plus Turnstone on the 5th and another Garganey whilst Paul Wilson with an unseasonably but greatly appreciated Little Gull at Elton Reservoir on the 11th. Paul then really pulls it out of the bag on the 22nd with a wonderful flock of 15 Common Scoters also at Elton, securing enough points in that one find to rocket him to a fine 4th position overall.

Update 02.06.09

Things can change in an instant in the Tournament and as if to prove the point it was all change with five entrants increasing their rankings positions, some more than others! On the 17th of May Simon Hitchen dragged out a Garden Warbler for is finds, at Newhey but the onset of June was to bring some big points for others. On the 1st Dave Broome added to an already excellent county of Black-tailed Godwits at Abram Flashes with another two birds and also a belated Lesser Whitethroat at Close Lane, Hindley (on the 7th May). Not to be outdone by his Wigan Flashes counterpart however, Geoff Hargreaves then found perhaps part of the same flock (or perhaps not?) at Horrock's Flash also on the 1st, so piling on a further 20 points to his total so far! It was Paul Wilson who fared best though, eminently illustrating the whole point to the Manchester Tournament in the first place. His pair of wonderful Curlew Sandpipers there on the 1st go to prove that no matter what your ability, how often you're out in the field, where you go birding or how seriously you take it, your next big find is only ever around the corner and his 40 points coupled with belated points for singles of Lesser Whitethroat and Garden Warbler there in May rocket him into a well deserved 7th place overall. Mark Rigby nicely rounded us off with 3 more Spotted Flycatchers at Dovestones on the 2nd

Update 26.05.09

You can't knock the effort those entered into the Tournament put in, regardless of where they are in the rankings board and that effort continues to supply a steady trickle of points. Paul Hammond perseveres with those early mornings at Audenshaw Reservoirs and finds a Sanderling on the 16th whilst Jimmy Meadows weeds out yet more Garden Warblers with one at Giant's Hall on the 21st and 2 at Haigh Hall on the 24th. The 21st also brings another Whimbrel to Steve Atkins at Kingsway with the 24th supplying Rob Thorpe with yet another Lesser Whitethroat, this time at Dover Basin and Andy Isherwood one of his own at Hope Carr.

Update 21.05.09

Firstly and most importantly it was great to see long-term Tournamenteer Simon Warford get onto the rankings board after illness had seriously knocked him back this year. As long as he's out in the field he's never far away from the points and as if to prove the point, some of his first county birding for a good while on the 21st saw him find a Sanderling and 2 Turnstone at Elton Reservoir and then another Turnstone at Rumworth the same day. Good to have you back pal! Rob Thorpe continued to seek out every Lesser Whitethroat in the Wigan borough and managed two more with one at Riley Lane, Haigh on the 17th and another at Rainfords Tip on the same day. It was however, Andy Isherwood and Simon Hitchen who carried the Manchester Tournament torch high aloft though, both poaching birds from under the noses of others patches, highly commendable! 'Lowlander' Andy pilfered 2 Whimbrel and 4 Sanderling from the 'hill-dwellers' patch of Kingsway on the 19th and 21st respectively whilst Simon nicked a Turnstone from fellow Tournamenteer Steve Atkins's local patch of Watergrove Reservoir on the 21st also. Let battle commence.

Update 16.05.09

May continues to work it's magic and the Tournamenteers are there to find the majority of what's available in the county. John Rayner mops up another Lesser Whitethroat on the 12th, at Bottoms Reservoir, Mellor, Simon Hitchen a Sanderling at Kingsway on the 15th and a second Lesser Whitethroat at Hollingworth Lake on the 16th with Simon Johnson adding a Whimbrel at Heaton Park Reservoir on the 16th. Paul Heaton adds Black Tern at a private site on the 14th, Common Scoter at Audenshaw Reservoirs on the 15th and Garden Warbler on Dane Road, Sale on the same date and Jimmy Meadows finds 4 Common Scoter on Scotmans Flash on the 16th. Rob Thorpe continues his rise up the board thanks to his concerted effort, rewarded with 5 Black Terns on Scotmans on the 14th (top dinner hour Tournamenteering), 2 more Garden Warblers (at Hawkley Reedbed and Horrock's Flash) on the 15th, another Lesser Whitethroat, at Bryn Marsh and Kittiwake at Horrock's Flash both on the 16th. It is Steve Atkins who provides the lions share of the action in this update however, promoting himself to a hard-fought 3rd position on the rankings board in a single 10 minute period after opportunistic Tournamenteering pays of with an excellent Little Stint and 9 Whimbrel at Kingsway on the 15th. With the rankings board changing every update nobody can predict what's next, apart from the fact that the Manchester Tournament clearly leads the way in finding the vast majority of all the decent birds in the county and that is testament to the hard work and determination to those who participate.

Update 12.05.09

With the points now flowing freely it's all change on the rankings board as Tournamenteers jostle for position. Steve Atkins adds some belated points thanks to Crossbill at Watergrove Reservoir on the 17th March, 3 Whooper Swans there on the 6th April, one withheld (by me not Steve!), a Lesser Whitethroat by the River Roch at Eadfield on the 25th April and a Whimbrel at Kingsway on the 20th April. Paul Hammond continues his good run at Audenshaw Reservoirs with a Whimbrel on the 1st May and Sanderling on the 9th. John Rayner too maintains his run of excellent finds and adds another Garden Warbler to his total, this one at Hazel Grove on the 9th and both Pied Flycatcher and 2 Whinchat at Ludworth Moor on the 10th, obviously not really being bothered about the competition might well be the best form of attack! Once again though, it is Andy Isherwood who steals the show and elevates himself to a very well deserved 2nd position at this early stage. Despite me missing them off originally, those 2 'extra' Dotterel he found at Axletree Edge on the 27th April were never going to be left off for long, such magnificent Tournament species as they are. As perhaps the 'most in-form' Tournamenteer of the moment he then went on to find 4 Whimbrel and a single Whinchat at Moss Lane, Astley on the 12th of May, thus securing that 2nd place, atleast for the moment.

Update 07.05.09

May gathers momentum nicely and with it the Tournamenteers are looking in the right places at the right times. Dave Broome claims a belated Little Gull at Scotmans Flash on the 27th April and then a Lesser Whitethroat at Low Hall on the 1st May. John Rayner continues his highly productive and always encouraged plunder of county sites with a Garden Warbler at Middlewood Station on the 4th and then an excellent and site super-rarity Wood Warbler at Pennington Flash on the 7th. Steve Collins adds another Lesser Whitethroat to his finds, this time at Stakehill on the 6th but it is one of the counties keenest set of eyes and sharpest rarity radar which surpasses all others, on route finding the rarest Tournament bird to date this year. On the 6th Andy Isherwood digs out a fantastic Pectoral Sandpiper from the allegedly (some would believe!) dead and buried Hope Carr nature reserve, incredibly his third find of this species in the county. Top Tournamenteering indeed ☺

Update 04.05.09

Well, what a difference a week makes! The real on-set of spring bring points a plenty for those out and about with Steve Collins the pick of the bunch with a fine Osprey over Castleton on the 23rd of April, Lesser Whitethroat near Platt Bridge on the 1st of May and Garden Warbler in the Piethorne Valley on the 2nd. Simon Hitchen jumps on the Lesser Whitethroat 'bandwagon' with one of his own at Hollingworth Lake on the 2nd but it is the 'Wigan birding boys' who really pull out all the stops. On the 2nd, father and son team of Rob and Terry Thorpe carried out their Manchester Birding May-hem eco day and prove it's true worth with some excellent birding. Their haul for the day consisted of 2 Whinchats (Platt Bridge and Viridor Wood), 2 Garden Warblers (2 at Rainfords Tip and one near East Bay hide at Pennington Flash) and a Lesser Whitethroat near Abram, all good finds indeed. Not satisfied with that though, Rob Thorpe, Jimmy Meadows and Geoff Hargreaves then go on to find a Garden Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat at Westwood Flash on the 3rd. Terry and Rob Thorpe then team up again on the 4th and manage to find a nice drake Garganey at Horrock's Flash proving beyond all doubt that those point-worthy species are out there and that the only way to find them is to be out there looking!

Update 26.04.09

It's taken nearly four full months, but the Tournament finally has a change at the top of the rankings board with Dave Winnard's sterling effort. His little tally of 28 points comprised 3 Whimbrel at Ashworth Moor Reservoir on the 18th and 19th, 4 more Twite at Chelburn Reservoir and 6 more in Littleborough plus a Crossbill at an undisclosed site on the 22nd (undisclosed by me I might add!). Other Tournamenteers scoring points were John Rayner with a Lesser Whitethroat at Middlewood Way on the 22nd, Dave Broome with 2 Ruff at Horrock's Flash on the 23rd, Henry Cook with a Lesser Whitethroat at Davenport Green on the 21st and finally Paul Heaton with a Sanderling at Audenshaw Reservoirs on the 25th.

Update 17.04.09

The true onset of spring brings a much needed kick up the arse to the Tournament as the entrants scour the county for their quarry. Henry Cook starts us off in fine style with a county rarity on the 4th thanks to a Little Egret at Hale Barns, Jake Caveney manages 2 Mealy Redpolls at Ringley on the 5th his first points of the year and Simon Johnson gets his second Iceland Gull of the year at Heaton Park Reservoir on the 7th. On the 10th Simon Hitchen makes the most of Hollingworth Lake and picks up a fine Sandwich Tern whilst Paul Hammonds increased efforts at Audenshaw Reservoirs net him 6 Common Scoters on the 11th (but was literally seconds away from claiming his own Osprey, being beaten to it by Rob Adderley, touch luck Paul!) and on the 14th Simon Hitchen locks in on a flock of 4 Twite at Chelburn Reservoirs, two of which are rightly countable as new. So, with this little flourish over, there are still many entrants with points yet to come, obviously still loads of points waiting out there to be found and hopefully plenty of other little flourishes, but will those points be yours?

Update 05.04.06

Nearly a month since the last update? Has it really been that quiet, have we all been busy doing something else? Either way, a handful of Tournamenteers managed to record a few points during the apparent lull started with Paul Hammond and a Rock Pipit at Audenshaw Reservoirs on the 16th March. Mark Rigby and a wonderful Osprey at Castleshaw Reservoirs brought him half a dozen well deserved points  on the 28th whilst Simon Hitchen was the only other birder to manage points with 2 Twite at Chelburn Reservoir on the 4th April worth the hard effort in finding them. So with spring upon us will we see an influx of points or will the lull continue? Can the Manchester Tournamenteers raise their game and pull out the points? Time will tell.

Update 08.03.09

Dave Broome continues his charge up the rankings board with a Mealy Redpoll in Platt Bridge on the 2nd and his second Scotmans Flash Iceland Gull on the 7th, Simon Johnson jumps up into 4th position with 3 more Mealy Redpolls at Heaton Park and Geoff Hargreaves kicks off his 2009 Tournament with 2 Black-tailed Godwits at Abram Flashes on the 8th. Spring really is now just around the corner, so roll on the influx of points...

Update 01.03.09

As spring is very nearly sprung the Manchester Tournament receives an injection of points in February with Simon Johnson adding his 4th Scaup of the year at Heaton Park Reservoir, David Winnard another Short-eared Owl at Ashworth Moor Reservoir on the 14th and Paul Hammond fares well with some good gulling at Audenshaw Reservoirs producing an Iceland Gull on the 20th and Glaucous on the 22nd but John Tymon's continued perseverance provides him with just rewards thanks to a Merlin on Highfield Moss on the 6th, a pair of Common Scoter on Pennington Flash on the 27th and a Little Egret over Highfield Moss on the 27th which 'springs' him into a an early third place on the rankings board. On the very last day in March Rob Thorpe adds 4 Pintail to his total so far and two Tournamenteers post their first points of the year with Dave Broome adding a fine Iceland Gull at Scotmans Flash and Jimmy Meadows a Mealy Redpoll at Lady Mabel Wood, Haigh.

Update 15.02.09

Things have been quiet in the county of late and that has been reflected in the seeming lack of points available but the 'Northern Quarter' maintains it's hold on the top three rankings thanks to more good finds for Steve Atkins with 24 Whooper Swans on Watergrove Reservoir on the 30th January and David Winnard with 3 fine Snow Buntings on Ashworth Moor Reservoir on the 14th of February, with the west of the county's only retort coming in the shape of a Bittern for John Tymon at Pennington Flash also on the 14th.

Update 25.01.09

The Manchester Tournamenteers continue to provide the goods in their relentless quest for quality county birds and after Simon Johnson's third Scaup of the year at Heaton Park Reservoir on the 9th the quality birds really counted thanks to two Brent Geese, a terrific find for Paul Cliff and David Winnard on the 11th at Kingsway Business Park in Rochdale. Paul Heaton continues his finds with a Pintail at Shell N.R. on the 14th, Andy Isherwood gets himself on the board with a Merlin by the Greyhound Motel at Leigh on the 17th, David Winnard adds a single Crossbill at Binn Green on the 19th and Simon Johnson continues his run of finds with an Iceland Gull at Heaton Park Reservoir on the 24th and Common Redpoll in Heaton Park on the 25th.

Update 07.01.09

Any they're off! In fine style, the 2009 Manchester Birding Tournamenteers burst into the field, scouring every bush, tree and stretch of water for those countable finds and fid them they do. The 3rd of the month saw three entrants score points with Rob Thorpe the very first of the year thanks to his Iceland Gull at Worthington Lakes, John Rayner striking back soon after with his very own Glaucous Gull at Audenshaw Reservoirs and David Winnard posting his first points with a Short-eared Owl at Ashworth Moor Reservoir. On the 4th John Rayner multiplies his Glaucous Gull finds by finding two at Audenshaw Reservoirs and so adding himself a further eight points but Paul Heaton also manages the same eight points for the same new individual after locating it independently at the very same time, the 6th brought more Ashworth Moor Reservoir provided points to David Winnard thanks to a Merlin there and two Scaup to Simon Johnson at Heaton Park Reservoir but it is Paul Cliff who trumps them all with his fine Little Egret at Birtle, Bury on the 7th the first Tournament county rarity of the year.

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