Now on Bluesky. UK & Ireland patch #birding challenge for veteran patch birders and new participants alike. Tag us or tweet with #PWC2026 and #PatchBirding
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Finally, a very revised version of the August #PWC2026 round-up is now published on the blog. Please head over to the blog to take a look, and enjoy the limited September #patchbirding we have left! Not long till October... patchworkchallenge.blogspot.…
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September is one of, if not the best, month for visible migration watching ie vismig. Beauty of vismig is it opens doors to pick up species you wouldn't necessarily expect to see grounded on your patch. You are likely to see commoner migrants in greater number too! Happy birding!
ALT Siskins migrating.
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Hopefully most of you are making the most of the August bank holiday and are catching up with some autumn migration on your patch! Please remember to get your August scores and highlights on the spreadsheet ready for the round-up!
Enjoy September! #PWC2026
ALT Swallows and Sand Martins gearing themselves up to go over the channel.
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After quite a delay, the July round-up of #PWC2026 is now live on the blog! Head over and take a look by clicking this link: patchworkchallenge.blogspot.…
Thanks for reading and enjoy the rest of your August patch birding!
ALT Juvenile Rosefinch taken by David Roche on Papa Westray.
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We have received a brilliant guest blog post from Tom Bedford on his Lye Valley #patchbirding escapades, deep into Oxford. Why not head over to the blog now and have a read?
You can do so by clicking this link: patchworkchallenge.blogspot.…
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The winners are in for the #PWC2026 Spring Best Find Competition! Head over to the blog to see which were the top three voted submissions and who is the winner of a Patchwork Challenge Champion pin badge: patchworkchallenge.blogspot.…
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Just published the June round-up of #PWC2026 on the blog. Head over now and take a look!
patchworkchallenge.blogspot.…
ALT Quail image taken by Tyler Atkinson
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We have now compiled the best find submissions for January to June #PWC2026, so please do head over to the blog to check them out and to cast your vote! There are three Patchwork Challenge pin badges up for grabs!
patchworkchallenge.blogspot.…
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There is 48hrs left to submit your best find of the first half of #PWC2026! Be in it for a chance to win a Patchwork Challenge badge.
It doesn't need to be a nationally rare bird - just something that made you excited to find! For more info, see here: patchworkchallenge.blogspot.…
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As we are now into July, just a reminder to update your #PWC2026 June scores and highlights into the spreadsheet, ready for the download on the 7th. Many thanks!
Certainly an autumn feel now with passage waders turning up as well as Sand Martins and Swifts moving. Happy birding!
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Find out how you can take part in this springs #PWC2026 best find competition by following the link. There are three Patchwork Challenge Pin Badges up for grabs! Good luck!
patchworkchallenge.blogspot.…
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We have just updated the blog with the May round-up of #PWC2026! You can find it here by clicking this link: patchworkchallenge.blogspot.…
Thanks to everyone who has inputted their scores/highlights and uploaded images using the hashtags. Happy June birding!
ALT Great Reed Warbler taken by Steve Dudley on Westray.
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if you have one. To enter your submissions, email them to us on patchworkchallenge@gmail.com. To have a look at last year's entries, then follow the link here: patchworkchallenge.blogspot.…
The prize for the top three submissions will be a Patchwork Challenge pin badge. Happy birding!
ALT Hoopoe found by Paul Newton on his Whitby 10km patch in April last year was a brilliant submission.
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We have the first half of #PWC2026 best find competition coming back soon, with finds up until 30th June included. Like last year, we will ask for finds to be submitted with a paragraph to why that bird was special and then they will be put to a vote, this will be live in July.
ALT Sean O'Hara's find of a drake Black Scoter off his Hoylake patch in early March 2025 topped the voting in last year's competition.
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Did you get a chance to read last months #PWC2026 round-up? If not, then why not take a look now by clicking this link to our blog: patchworkchallenge.blogspot.…
Seems to have been a little flurry of migration activity recently, so we are already looking forward to the May one!
ALT Little Gulls at Stanford Reservoir taken by Chris Hubbard.
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We have now published the April #PWC2026 review on our blog! Click this link to head over and see where you ended up in the league tables, as well as all the interesting patch birds over the month: patchworkchallenge.blogspot.…
Thanks to everyone who has taken part so far!
ALT Little Gulls at Stanford Reservoir taken by Chris Hubbard.
ALT Black Terns in the Dearne Valley, taken by Mark Langston.
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Free delivery on #PWC merch until midnight!
Money raised will go to the end of #PWC2026 prizes.
Check out our shop: patchwork-challenge.teemill.…
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The March #PWC2026 round-up is now live on the blog! Head over to see where you and other competitors have finished the first quarter of the year! To take a look, click this link: patchworkchallenge.blogspot.…
We hope you enjoy reading it!
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If you still need a hand signing up for #PWC2026, then you can watch the following video on the process of doing that: youtube.com/watch?v=2x9tHv8m…
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We have made a video to help explain the process of figuring out your scores for #PWC2026. It shows the process of making a copy of the sheet, figuring out your patch year list and then what to do next!
To see it, follow this link: youtube.com/watch?v=puzLEIUy…
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The round-up February of #PWC2026 is now out! Head over to the blog to see the latest updates in the mini-leagues as well as all the best birds that have been seen across the competition! To take a look, click this link: patchworkchallenge.blogspot.…
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For more info on signing up for this years competition, then check out the blog here: patchworkchallenge.blogspot.…
For the sign-up sheet, follow this link: docs.google.com/spreadsheets…
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The Patchwork Challenge 2025 article is now out in the latest issue of @BirdwatchExtra Magazine! We hope all subscribers enjoy the write-up, it was a brilliant collaborative effort and we thank those patch birders that helped! Enjoy!
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Good luck to everyone out #patchbirding this weekend! Remember that it isn't too late to sign up for this year's competition, so if you have a patch you enjoy watching, why not sign up?!
For more info on how to do so, follow this link: patchworkchallenge.blogspot.…
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The #PWC2026 January review is now out!
Take a look at where you have come in the mini-leagues and gawp at what others have seen on their patches! To do this, click the link to go to our blog: patchworkchallenge.blogspot.…...
Hope you enjoy reading it!
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Have you checked out the Patchwork Challenge shop lately? Take a look at it now, as soon we might switch some bits about making some current items unavailable: patchwork-challenge.teemill.…
All money raised goes to funding prizes for #PWC2026 mini-leagues and best find comps!
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The results are in on the #PWC2025 Best Find competition! Congratulations to @SeanOHa19117792 for his Black Scoter which came in first then second place goes to William Lambourne with his Black Redstart and third to @andysims4049 for his Pectoral Sandpiper. Well done you three!
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We are now half way through the first month of #PWC2026! Are you going to be out on your patch this weekend? Remember to keep us updated with pictures and sightings with the hashtags, good luck!
If you haven't signed up yet then follow this link: docs.google.com/spreadsheets…
ALT A species to be on the lookout for this month is Eurasian White-fronted Goose photographed by Daniel Langston earlier this month on his patch surrounded by Greylag Geese. Particularly worthwhile looking for if hoped for cold easterlies return.
ALT Another goose species to be on the lookout for this month is Tundra Bean Goose (now a three pointer) photographed here by Stuart Ainsworth on his patch on the 1st January. It has been a remarkable winter for this species inland and could happen again if cold easterlies return.
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Have you taken a look at our #PWC2025 Best Find competition yet? The voting closes in a few days so why not head over to the blog to read the submissions then vote! To do so, click this link: patchworkchallenge.blogspot.…
The three highest ranked finds will receive a pin badge.
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We have now made the #PWC2025 Best Find competition live on the blog! Go to the blog to read through the entries, and then at the bottom there is a link to vote on your favourite three. Voting closes on the 17th January. Thank you!
patchworkchallenge.blogspot.…
ALT Wryneck image by Steve Dudley
ALT Black Scoter image by Sean O'Hara
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THE PATCHWORK CHALLENGE 2025 ROUND-UP IS NOW LIVE ON THE BLOG!
Go head over and see where you finished #PWC2025 and sign up for #PWC2026!
The link for the blog is: patchworkchallenge.blogspot.…
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Remember, get your #PWC2025 Best Find submissions in by tomorrow night! All you have to do to enter is email a short account about the bird and circumstances to patchworkchallenge@gmail.com, and why finding that bird was special to you. It doesn't need to be a nationally rare...
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We have just received the Patchwork Challenge prize pin badges! Take a look at how to win one in the quoted tweet below! We will also be sending them out to #PWC2025 winners soon too.
There are a few Patchwork Challenge Champion pin badges up for grabs for best find over the #PWC2025 season. To be entered, please email a short account about the bird and circumstances to patchworkchallenge@gmail.com, and why finding that bird was special to you...
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Here is the link to the video explaining how to sign up, Andy: youtu.be/2x9tHv8mqBk?si=pV-b…
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We have created a video to help those signing up to #PWC2026, this years Patchwork Challenge competition. If you haven't signed up yet then take a look to get started!
Here is the link to sign up: docs.google.com/spreadsheets…
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Updated Link: maps.app.goo.gl/HSEei4xA1qwB…
If you haven't seen, we are doing 'Pin Your Patch'. It is just a google maps where people can pin their patches to. It is non-compulsory (just a fun idea), and don't pin to your home! Simply join the list and add a place within your patch!
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Don't forget that tomorrow is the first PWC to have its own Bird Observatories category. Sign up soon to represent your favourite local Bird Observatory!
@FileyBirdObs @DungenessBO
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Hi both, the link to the scoresheet is here: docs.google.com/spreadsheets… but you need to download a copy for it to work. Read these instructions to help.
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We have updated the scores for a few species for the up and coming #PWC2026 competition. Check out the blog to see more: patchworkchallenge.blogspot.…
Please do remember to have your #PWC2025 scores in by 1st January 2026 ready for the overview!
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Santa and his elves have been busy preparing the prizes for #PWC2025!
Make sure that you have your scores inputted by 8pm on the 1st of January to be considered.
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There is only a few days to order in time for Christmas! So go on and treat yourself to some Patchwork Challenge merch! Proceeds will go towards the end of year #PWC2025 prizes, and if there is any surplus this will go to charity. To browse and order click patchwork-challenge.teemill.…
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After some winter reading with these long winter nights? Take a peek at the review for November #PWC2025 by clicking this link! patchworkchallenge.blogspot.…
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We have now updated the blog with the November update for #PWC2025! Check it out to see where participants are in their mini-leagues at a crucial time of the year and read about an exciting month in the Islands mini-league!
patchworkchallenge.blogspot.…
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We're freshening up our blog! It's been a while, and we're looking for a brand new header image. We're hoping for a picture of someone's patch to star at the top of the blog.
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We are trialling a new mini-league in next year's #PWC2026 competition with the launch of the 'Bird Observatories' category. Let us know your thoughts!
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We have now pulled together the update for October #PWC2025 and it is live on the blog! Go heck it out to see the highlights and where you sit in the rankings! patchworkchallenge.blogspot.…
Remember to keep us updated by regularly updating your scores and by tagging us in your posts!
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August's round-up of #PWC2025 is now live on the blog! We hope you enjoy reading it and good luck with your patch birding this September! patchworkchallenge.blogspot.…
ALT Greenish Warbler, taken by David Roche on Papa Westray
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Thank you to everyone who has submitted their May scores and highlights, these have now been downloaded, so you are now able to start inputting June scores.
By the way, don't forget to check out our shop! Money raised will go to end of #PWC2025 prizes: patchwork-challenge.teemill.…
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Guest blog post!
Amy Robjohns has written a lovely blog post about her #patchbirding at Titchfield Haven, which is located on the Solent. To read it, follow the link: patchworkchallenge.blogspot.…
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We have now uploaded the March review of #PWC2025 to the blog! See where you are in the leaderboards, what others have seen but most of all we hope you enjoy reading it! Good luck for the remainder of April.
patchworkchallenge.blogspot.…
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We have just updated the blog with the February round-up for #PWC2025, talking about everyone's highlights and the leader boards. Enjoy! patchworkchallenge.blogspot.…
ALT Brent Geese moving east past Dungeness, photo by Charlotte Foote.
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Have you checked out our shop? Why not treat yourself to a t-shirt, hoodie or a mug?
If you would be interested in a personalised item with the name of your patch on or under the logo then drop us a private message to discuss.
patchwork-challenge.teemill.…...
#pwc2025
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We have the Patchwork Challenge 2024 review up on our blog!🤞scores are up to date!
We hope you enjoy reading about where you finished in the mini-leagues, and we hope you decide to take part again this year, or even try for the first time. #PWC2024
patchworkchallenge.blogspot.…
ALT Wryneck at Spurn, taken by Thomas Willoughby
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Patchwork Challenge t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with our excellent logo, designed by @GyrCrakes, are now available through Teemill. We hope you enjoy them!
Any profits raised will be used to fund prizes for category winners and to bird related charities.
patchwork-challenge.teemill.…
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With crisp, cold conditions in the forecast for most of Britain and Ireland tomorrow, what cold weather species could you find on your #PWC2025 patch over the weekend? Best of luck to everyone out birding!
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Good to see the first participants are signing up to #PWC2025! If you haven't taken part before, it is a competition where you try and see/find as many species as possible on your patch over the year. It is a great way to encourage you to get out birding more locally...
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So @SBO_Jason is taking on running #PWC2025 potentially. Phoenix like? Hopefully so.
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Autumn is slowly inching to the fore. Seabirds moving, the first drift migrants turning up, waders passage in full swing and vismig getting in to gear. What are you looking forward to most on your patch? #PWC2024
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The Spring Update with @StorkVincent and @rdh_rob youtu.be/3k7y5y3CelI?si=loi8…
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