December has been pointless as I have spent most of the month in Cornwall or Aberdeenshire so have added no new birds to the patch list leaving the way for Johnboy to thump me by almost 20 species, 157-138, I think. Its Johns first ever victory in any bird list type challenge and has left me thinking up as many excuses as possible (offshore too much, in a birdless area of the UK etc etc) but none have been believed!
So, I will congratulate John on his victory (and try and avoid paying for the prize) and look to 2011. How can I beat someone who lives and works on his patch? First, invite more people (less chance of coming last at least), so welcome Stu (Ely patch) and Dave (Yellowcraig patch). Secondly, reduce the size of the patch (3km squares) and thirdly a points system so that you get rewarded for finding good birds and penalised for twitching.
The points system is based on the status of the bird on birdguides website:
Status Points
Common =1
Local =2
Scarce =3
Rare =4
Mega =5
Double points for all scarce birds found and triple points for all rare and mega birds found. Minus the equivalent points for any birds twitched.
Finally, too stop the inland birder from moaning seabirds will get double points if seen in an inland site (Ely!).
Hopefully all these pointless new rules will stop Aberlady running away with it this time!!!
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