We have just updated the blog with the May round-up of #PWC2026! You can find it here by clicking this link: patchworkchallenge.blogspot.com/2026/06/may-... Thanks to everyone who has inputted their scores/highlights and uploaded images using the hashtags to Twitter/Bluesky. Happy June birding!

The rain has done its job, and Branston Island looks good again... Excellent post-work visit produced 4 Arctic Tern E, Spoonbill, G Ibis, 11 Ringo and #PatchGold Mandarin nfy. 146/204. #PatchBirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

5 months of patching Branston Island so far - not much water left now, but some great birds this year so far... Bonaparte's, GW Teal, Temminck's, Limosa Blackwits, 100s passage waders, Ibises, tonnes of Geese, BN Grebes - it's surpassed expectations. #PatchBirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

4 Glossy Ibis, 4 Greenshank, 52 Ringed Plover and a Pintail on Branston Island this morning along with 6 Great Egrets, including 4 new breeding-plumaged birds which left E together. #PatchBirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

My first #PWC2026 pts since 8 May despite some great birding recently, finding a new Glossy Ibis at Branston Island to join the 3 long-stayers. 145/203. Also 4 Greenshank new-in and 45+ Ringed Plover. Water levels just about hanging on in parts. #PatchBirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

Ringed Whooper Swan, ABP, part of a group of 7 new in at dawn at Branston Island, left N by 0600. From quick search seems to be Welney hatched, maybe explaining the group's delay. Also 73 Ringo, Dunlin, Garganey, 3 Ibis and 2 Great, 25! Little Egret. #PatchBirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

At least 126 Ringed Plovers across two quick visits to Branston Island today, probably loads moving through in between. Also Sanderling, 11 Dunlin, Black-necked Grebe, 2s Casp, 3 Ibis and Garganey - what a site! #PatchBirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

Branston Island still looking great, with an incredible 64 Ringed Plovers this evening, alongside a Sanderling and 3 Dunlin. Also 3 Ibis and a Garganey still. #PatchBirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

Some unexpected rain with SE winds dropped a fab Temminck's Stint onto Branston Island this morning, with a Sanderling also new for #PWC2026. 145 sp and 200 pts! Also 6 Wood Sand, 7 Whimbrel, Greenshank, RP, 2 Ruff, 5 LRP and 3 Ibis. #PatchBirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

Spotted Redshank new for #PWC2026 this morning at Branston Island, with Garden Warbler also new in recent days. 143/193. Also 8! Wood Sandpipers amongst a great selection of waders, and 3 Ibis still. #PatchBirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

Drake Garganey, Wood Sand, 6 Ruff, Dunlin, Greenshank, 3 Blackwit, 2 Redshank, LRP, 3 Glossy Ibis and Great Egret best at Branston Island this morning. #PWC2026 @lincsbirding.bsky.social

More fantastic passage at Branston Island today, with Grey Plover and Common Sand new for #PWC2026. 141/190. Totals: Grey Plover, 7 Wood Sand, 2 Barwit, 2 Blackwit, Whimbrel, 11 Ruff, Greenshank, 6 RP, 2 LRP, 3 Ibis, WF Goose. #PatchBirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

1/2 Couple of distant videos of the Branston Island Bonaparte's Gull from Sunday... Initially took a while to convince myself it was the real deal when sat on the water, but size and other features very obvious on land. #PatchBirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

More fantastic birding on patch, best being 5 Arctic Terns and 3 Wood Sands at Branston Island pre-work new for #PWC2026. 139/188. Also Cattle Egret, 3 G Ibis, WF Goose, Greenshank, Whimbrel and other bits, topped off by an Osprey N this eve. #PatchBirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

Before the excitement of the Bony's, it was already a great visit to the patch, with 7 Whimbrel E, a Swift and a late Brambling new for #PWC2026. 137/184. #PatchBirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

Few more record shots of the Bonaparte's Gull on Branston Island for about 90 mins this morning... I think the 6th for Lincs? A find tick for me and 12pts for #PWC2026. #PatchBirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

Get in! Found a 2cy Bonaparte's Gull on patch at Branston Island this morning, still present now as I'm leaving. View only through bushes from the Witham cycle track. #PatchBirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

Great afternoon on patch after getting back from Norway. Four new for #PWC2026, Barwit (2), Greenshank (2), Common Tern and a pair of Med Gulls. 133/165. Also on Branston Island, 2cy Casp, 3 Glossy Ibis, Whitefront and just 3 Blackwits. #PatchBirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

Short video of the ringed Continental Black-tailed Godwit from the patch at Branston Island last week whilst I'm away with work... #patchbirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

Cuckoo and Grasshopper new for #PWC2026 this morning. 128/160. Ringed limosa Blackwit still with 60 islandica, plus 3 Ibis, Whitefront, intermedius LBBG on Branston Island. #PatchBirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

Thought I was watching the same Continental Black-tailed Godwit at Branston Island until it showed it's legs...a new bird, seems to be from the Ouse Washes. 2nd this spring, and shows they get with inland Icelandic flocks more regularly than thought? #PatchBirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

Cracking Spoonbill west at Branston Island this eve, new for #PWC2026. 125/156 Continental Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Glossy Ibis and LRP still. #PatchBirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

LRP and House Martin new for #PWC2026 this aft. 124/154. Also Limosa Blackwit and 3 Glossy Ibis still Branston Island. Pair of Garganey and Black-necked Grebe both with brief stays on patch in the last week. #PatchBirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

A pair of Garganey and a couple of Blackcap new on Branston Island this morning, with the Continental Blackwit and 3 Glossy Ibis still. 118/148 for #PWC2026. #PatchBirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

Continental Blackwit still at Branston alongside 3 Glossy Ibis, with 214 Whoopers N this AM. #PWC2026 Water Pipit flew over twice yesterday, and a 2cy Whitefront dropped in. #PatchBirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

Couple more shots of the Continental Black-tailed Godwit from this eve. #PatchBirding #UKBirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

The Continental Black-tailed Godwit is back on Branston Island today, with the likely 2nd also. #PWC2026 #PatchBirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

Another Common Scoter on patch, this time at Bardney Pits. Also Redpoll over new for #PWC2026, 116/145. #PatchBirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

Branston Island this morning - Caspian Gull and Swallow through both new for #PWC2026 115/144. No sign of the Continental Black-tailed Godwits unfortunately, 3 Glossy Ibis still. #PatchBirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

Pick of the afternoon at Branston Island, and a real surprise, was this Continental Black-tailed Godwit, alongside a possible 2nd and 18 Icelandic birds. Thanks to @markgolley.bsky.social for the confirmation, a really nice female L3 it looks like. #patchbirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

Nice afternoon at Branston Island, but bar some interesting Godwits in my next post, pretty quiet until I picked up this Osprey on the drive home... Parked the car and watched it fly over the patch along the Witham - cracker. 113/141 for #PWC2026 #PatchBirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

3 Common Scoter new onto Branston Island today, 111/138 for #PWC2026. Also a drake Green-winged Teal, 1.5 weeks after I last saw it - probs the same, but could be a new bird. #PatchBirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

No sign in the last few days, but 3 Black-necked Grebes were fantastic to see for the evening they were on patch. Waders have maxed at 28 Ruff, 23 Dunlin, 2 Ringo, Avocet and 15 Blackwit. 3 Glossy Ibis again today. #PWC2026 #patchbirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

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.com/2026/03/febr...

2 Avocet new for #PWC2026 in a quick look at Branston Island this eve. Too windy for much else. 108/134 #patchbirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

Raven new for #PWC2026 this morning (107/132), and this Bar-headed Goose new-in added to the list of recent dodgy geese. #patchbirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

Fantastic morning on patch at Branston Island - Kittiwake, Cattle Egret and Siskin nfy. 106/131 for #PWC2026. Also GW Teal and 3 Glossy Ibis still, plus Green Sand, 2 Blackwit, Redshank, 3 Ruff, 9 Dunlin and 10 Curlew. @lincsbirding.bsky.social @lincsbirding.bsky.social

Fantastic morning so far at Branston Island. Green-winged Teal again, 3 Glossy Ibis, tonnes ducks, Corn Buntings singing and Green Sand and Water Pipit new for #PWC2026. #patchbirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

No sign of the Green-winged Teal at Branston Island in a quick look this eve, water levels extremely high though. Here's a vid from yesterday morning... #patchbirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

After a week away in Scotland, back on patch at Branston Island. 3 Glossy Ibis still, Sand Martin nfy then just found a Green-winged Teal. #patchgold #PWC2026 @lincsbirding.bsky.social

Tonnes of birds still around Branston Island generally. On top of the Geese, 3 Glossy Ibis are hanging around, as well as: 4000+ Lapwing 1000+ Golden Plover 500 Wigeon 600 Teal 60 Pintail 6+ Great Egret 2 Ruff 12 Dunlin #patchbirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

About as close as I got to the Ridgway's Cackling Goose and associated Barnacle and hybrid flock this afternoon still on patch. Really think they are a family with how they behave, always sticking together. Not sure what the #patchbirding ramifications are... @lincsbirding.bsky.social

Fab hr at Branston Island this eve. 3 Glossy Ibis, Blackwit nfy, before I found 7 tiny Geese. .. Superficially like Cackling Geese, at least 5 are hybrids, with 1 Barnacle and one purer looking mimina type parents? Great birds, presumably from the E. #patchbirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

Brilliant morning on patch around Branston Island / Bardney Pits. Highlight was 5 Cranes heading south around 5 miles away, see artistic phonescope below. Also 15+ Whitefronts, tonnes of Pinkfeet N, Pochard, Goldeneye... #pwc2026 #patchbirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

At least 117 Euro White-fronted Geese fresh in from the continent on Branston Island / Fen, with 6 presumably wild Barnacles with them. Also 60 Pintail, c500 Teal and c250 Wigeon in the rain and wind...the site's looking very good at the moment. 92/108 #PWC2026 @lincsbirding.bsky.social

Connected with the 2 Bardney Fen Glossy Ibis, viewed distantly in flight from the Witham Cycle Track by Branston Island, and inside my #patchbirding area. Also refound the 9 Tundra Beans on Bardney Pits, with a fab new Goldeneye. 91/106 for #PWC2026

A good start to my new patch around Bardney Pits and Branston Island. Up to 88/101 for #patchbirding, with Curlew, Corn Bunting and House Sparrow new today, plus the new in 9 Tundra Bean Geese. Other highlights today: 6 Great Egret, 30 Pintail, 2 Ruff. #PWC2026

9 Tundra Bean Geese on Branston Island viewed through trees from the Witham cycle path. #patchbirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social

The toughest winter bird race I’ve ever done, with frequent blizzards and treacherous roads - we got rear-ended by a Range Rover and had to limp home to change cars - but excellent company from @yolobirder.bsky.social @dlangstonbirder.bsky.social @shoremark.bsky.social & Sam 🐕.

A good day around Bardney Pits and Branston / Nocton Fens. Highlights 5 Tundra Beans, 3 Euro Whitefronts, 3 Great Egret, Merlin and Woodcock. Yet to draw up the area, but think it'll be my site for #PWC2026 after a couple of years of moving around. #LincsBirding @lincsbirding.bsky.social