Patchwork Challenge 2023The Patchwork Challenge is a UK-based patch birding challenge open to anyone who birdwatches at a regular ‘patch’.
Clyde SOC Branch are not the organisers of this challenge, but are encouraging branch members and website visitors to take up the challenge! More information below |
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More details on how to join the challenge
Patchwork Challenge is promoted through a Twitter account - see https://twitter.com/patchbirding
The following will also give you a good understanding of what it is all about and what is required.
The following will also give you a good understanding of what it is all about and what is required.
Step 1:
We recommend that you watch the introductory video and read the patchwork birding twitter thread.
If you think this is for you, then move to Step 2!
If you think this is for you, then move to Step 2!
Step 2:
Register your patch. The signup sheet for registering your patch is here – you don’t download this document, just open it and enter your details.
- Your patch should be no more than 3 square kms (not 3kms squared).
- In columns A, B and C - add your name, give your patch a name e.g. “Lochwinnoch”, pick a mini league based on where your patch is e.g. Inland Scotland, or Coastal Scotland if you expect regular sea-birds on your patch.
- Are you a Green patch watcher? i.e. you aren’t driving around your patch at all, then enter Yes in column D. Otherwise enter No.
- Column E is for people registering for a 10km from home list which is a different version of the challenge
- Column I is your estimate for the points you might score. To help with this, look at the scoresheet link in step 3 and note suggestion in the second bullet point.
- You may notice that some have registered more than one patch. If you visit several places regularly and are super keen then feel free to do this too!
Step 3:
Download a scoresheet using this link
- This is where you keep your list of what you see - and this is converted automatically into points.
- Once you've opened the link, you should download and save your own version of this sheet. You download this because you need your own copy to keep you own list up to date and know what your current score is. The video (from step 1 above) helps you with how to keep your score.
- To help with your estimated points at registration time, we recommend that you create a copy of the score tab and rename it “estimate”. Use the 'estimate' tab to list the species you expect to find. That will create a number of species and a score and then you can enter your predicted score in Column I in the sign up sheet when you register.
Step 4:
Post your scores regularly throughout the year. The YouTube video was made when the scoresheet was part of the sign up sheet, but that has now changed. So this is the link for adding your scores now
- You don’t download this spreadsheet – just open it up and find your name (listed alphabetically within each Minileague).
- Add your current species count and score from your own version of the scoresheet created at stage 3. Add these into this overall scoresheet in columns D and E respectively.
- You can update as often as you like. Perhaps at the end of each month, or after you’ve ticked off a decent number of species.
and finally....
It’s just for fun and to encourage more birdwatching and recording of species found in local patches.
- The organisers encourage us to “form friendly rivalries with those in your mini league. Connect with people on twitter and be part of the community. Enjoy it! Love your patch and the birds on it. The numbers are the motivation, the prizes are the birds.”