Fylde Ranking
Page last updated March 2022
This page takes a light-hearted look at the Fylde birder's lists and the competitive aspect of Fylde birding. A spreadsheet with the complete lists of all submitted lists, can be downloaded from the link at the foot of this page. To add your Fylde list to the ranking, download the Fylde Ranking Blank List above and then email the completed version. After your list has been added to the ranking, email any additions so the rankings stay up to date.
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* Sadly deceased
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Profiles of the Top Ten Lists
Len Blacow's most notable species are Lesser White-fronted Goose (Thurnham 1991*), Cory's Shearwater (Starr Gate 1991*), Montagu's Harrier (Marton Mere 1995*), Honey Buzzard (Marton Mere 2000*, Poulton Golf Course 2006*, and Lytham Moss 2008*), and Bee-eater (Bispham Marsh 1984). Len's most notable omissions are Ortolan Bunting, Alpine Swift, Caspian Tern, Surf Scoter, and Corncrake.
Maurice Jones's most notable species are Baird's Sandpiper (Freckleton Sewage Works 1963), Wilson's Phalarope (Freckleton Sewage Works 1973*), Honey Buzzard (Warton Marsh 2008*), Corncrake, and Surf Scoter (Starr Gate 2008*). Maurice's most notable omissions are Savi's Warbler, Elegant Tern, Whiskered Tern, Bee-eater, and Balearic Shearwater.
Frank Bird's most notable species are Gull-billed Tern (Little Singleton 2021*), Bee-eater (Bispham Marsh 1984), Surf Scoter (Starr Gate 2008), Whiskered Tern (Marton Mere 1983), and Elegant Tern (Knott End 2021). Frank's most notable omissions are Lesser Scaup, Little Auk, Savi's Warbler, Caspian Tern, and Hawfinch.
Paul Slade's most notable species are Pallid Swift (Knott End 2020), Balearic Shearwater (Starr Gate 2010*, at sea off Rossall Point 2011*, and Cleveleys 2011*), Bee-eater (Bispham Marsh 1984 and Todderstaffe Hall 2013*), Cackling Goose (Green Dick's Lane 1982 and Eagland Hill 2001*), and Whiskered Tern (Marton Mere 1983). Paul's most notable omissions are Goshawk, Little Bittern, Mealy Redpoll, Night Heron, and Woodchat Shrike.
Paul Ellis's most notable species are Bonaparte's Gull (Marton Mere 2008*), Pallid Swift ((Knott End 2020*, Cocker's Dyke 2022*, Pilling Lane 2022*, and The Mount 2022*), Balearic Shearwater (at sea off Rossall Point 2011*), Corncrake (Marton Mere 1996), and Bee-eater (Todderstaffe Hall 2013*). Paul's most notable omissions are Broad-billed Sandpiper, Black-throated Diver, Roseate Tern, Puffin, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, and Mealy Redpoll.
Chris Batty's most notable species are Woodlark (Knott End 2020*), Pallid Swift (Knott End 2020), Balearic Shearwater (at sea off Rossall Point 2011*), Surf Scoter (Starr Gate 2008), and Cackling Goose (Eagland Hill 2001). Chris's most notable omissions are Citrine Wagtail, Black-throated Diver, Pacific Golden Plover, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, and Little Bittern.
Bob Stinger's most notable species are Honey Buzzard (Marton Mere 2000* and Herons' Reach 2010*), Surf Scoter (Starr Gate 2008), Hawfinch (Marton Mere 2001* and Fairhaven Lake 2003*), Caspian Tern (Knott End 2007), and Elegant Tern (Knott End 2021). Bob's most notable omissions are Night Heron, Ortolan Bunting, Puffin, Woodchat Shrike, Savi's Warbler and Alpine Swift.
Barry Dyson's most notable species are Rough-legged Buzzard (Winmarleigh Moss 2009*), Whiskered Tern (Marton Mere 1983), Sooty Shearwater (Rossall Point 1978*), Caspian Tern (Knott End 2007), and Elegant Tern (Knott End 2021). Barry's most notable omissions are Lesser Scaup, Bluethroat, Pallid Harrier, Night Heron and Little Auk.
Alan Hinchliffe's most notable species are Bee-eater (Bispham Marsh 1984), Surf Scoter (Starr Gate 2008), Whiskered Tern (Marton Mere 1983), Alpine Swift (Pilling Marsh 2009*), and Savi's Warbler (Marton Mere 1995). Alan's most notable omissions are Chough, Great Reed Warbler, Lesser Scaup, Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, and Purple Heron.
Stuart Meredith's most notable species are Corncrake, Savi's Warbler (Marton Mere 1995), Caspian Tern (Preesall Sands 2007), Night Heron (Marton Mere 1995), and Woodchat Shrike (Fairhaven Dunes 1987). Stuart's most notable omissions are Red-crested Pochard, Short-toed Lark, Long-tailed Skua, Bluethroat, and White Stork.
*self-found
Maurice Jones's most notable species are Baird's Sandpiper (Freckleton Sewage Works 1963), Wilson's Phalarope (Freckleton Sewage Works 1973*), Honey Buzzard (Warton Marsh 2008*), Corncrake, and Surf Scoter (Starr Gate 2008*). Maurice's most notable omissions are Savi's Warbler, Elegant Tern, Whiskered Tern, Bee-eater, and Balearic Shearwater.
Frank Bird's most notable species are Gull-billed Tern (Little Singleton 2021*), Bee-eater (Bispham Marsh 1984), Surf Scoter (Starr Gate 2008), Whiskered Tern (Marton Mere 1983), and Elegant Tern (Knott End 2021). Frank's most notable omissions are Lesser Scaup, Little Auk, Savi's Warbler, Caspian Tern, and Hawfinch.
Paul Slade's most notable species are Pallid Swift (Knott End 2020), Balearic Shearwater (Starr Gate 2010*, at sea off Rossall Point 2011*, and Cleveleys 2011*), Bee-eater (Bispham Marsh 1984 and Todderstaffe Hall 2013*), Cackling Goose (Green Dick's Lane 1982 and Eagland Hill 2001*), and Whiskered Tern (Marton Mere 1983). Paul's most notable omissions are Goshawk, Little Bittern, Mealy Redpoll, Night Heron, and Woodchat Shrike.
Paul Ellis's most notable species are Bonaparte's Gull (Marton Mere 2008*), Pallid Swift ((Knott End 2020*, Cocker's Dyke 2022*, Pilling Lane 2022*, and The Mount 2022*), Balearic Shearwater (at sea off Rossall Point 2011*), Corncrake (Marton Mere 1996), and Bee-eater (Todderstaffe Hall 2013*). Paul's most notable omissions are Broad-billed Sandpiper, Black-throated Diver, Roseate Tern, Puffin, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, and Mealy Redpoll.
Chris Batty's most notable species are Woodlark (Knott End 2020*), Pallid Swift (Knott End 2020), Balearic Shearwater (at sea off Rossall Point 2011*), Surf Scoter (Starr Gate 2008), and Cackling Goose (Eagland Hill 2001). Chris's most notable omissions are Citrine Wagtail, Black-throated Diver, Pacific Golden Plover, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, and Little Bittern.
Bob Stinger's most notable species are Honey Buzzard (Marton Mere 2000* and Herons' Reach 2010*), Surf Scoter (Starr Gate 2008), Hawfinch (Marton Mere 2001* and Fairhaven Lake 2003*), Caspian Tern (Knott End 2007), and Elegant Tern (Knott End 2021). Bob's most notable omissions are Night Heron, Ortolan Bunting, Puffin, Woodchat Shrike, Savi's Warbler and Alpine Swift.
Barry Dyson's most notable species are Rough-legged Buzzard (Winmarleigh Moss 2009*), Whiskered Tern (Marton Mere 1983), Sooty Shearwater (Rossall Point 1978*), Caspian Tern (Knott End 2007), and Elegant Tern (Knott End 2021). Barry's most notable omissions are Lesser Scaup, Bluethroat, Pallid Harrier, Night Heron and Little Auk.
Alan Hinchliffe's most notable species are Bee-eater (Bispham Marsh 1984), Surf Scoter (Starr Gate 2008), Whiskered Tern (Marton Mere 1983), Alpine Swift (Pilling Marsh 2009*), and Savi's Warbler (Marton Mere 1995). Alan's most notable omissions are Chough, Great Reed Warbler, Lesser Scaup, Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, and Purple Heron.
Stuart Meredith's most notable species are Corncrake, Savi's Warbler (Marton Mere 1995), Caspian Tern (Preesall Sands 2007), Night Heron (Marton Mere 1995), and Woodchat Shrike (Fairhaven Dunes 1987). Stuart's most notable omissions are Red-crested Pochard, Short-toed Lark, Long-tailed Skua, Bluethroat, and White Stork.
*self-found
The Most-wanted Species on the Fylde List
Of the 334 species on the Fylde list there are nineteen that have not yet been seen by anyone on the ranking. Twelve of those have not been recorded on the Fylde for over thirty years: Tawny Pipit (1985), Roller (1982), Melodious Warbler (1972), Nutcracker (1968), Nightingale (1965), Crested Tit (1964), Black-winged Stilt (1928), Great Snipe (1917), Red Grouse (c1899), Pallas's Sandgrouse (1888), Sociable Lapwing (1860s), and Little Bustard (1858). Olive-backed Pipit (2020), Serin (2019), and Red-throated Pipit (2018) have only been recorded on the Fylde by autonomous sound recording. The remaining four species that have eluded all the Fylde birders on the ranking are White-tailed Eagle (last seen in 2020), Golden Oriole (2013), Nightjar (2013), and Icterine Warbler (1998).
Recent additions to the Fylde List
Since the year 2000 36 species have been added to the Fylde List:
species location date finder(s) and notes
334 Elegant Tern Knott End 20/08/2021 Chris Batty
333 Pallid Swift Pilling Lane 14/11/2020 Paul Ellis
332 Olive-backed Pipit Knott End 14/10/2020 sound recording only (Chris Batty)
331 Blyth's Reed Warbler Knott End 01/06/2020 Chris Batty
330 Eastern Black-eared Wheatear Fluke Hall 01/09/2019 Paul Ellis and Paul Slade (previously a record of unidentified Black-eared Wheatear species at Lytham in 1940)
329 Serin Knott End 13/04/2019 sound recording only (Chris Batty)
328 Woodlark Knott End 20/10/2018 Chris Batty (sound recording only although a further individual there on 10/04/2020 was seen, and sound recorded)
327 Red-throated Pipit Knott End 11/10/2018 sound recording only (Chris Batty)
326 Pallid Harrier Cockersand 16/09/2018 Ian Hartley
325 Buff-bellied Pipit Cockersand 04/05/2014 Stuart Piner
324 Semipalmated Sandpiper Knott End 12/11/2013 Chris Batty
323 Solitary Sandpiper Humblescough Farm 02/10/2011 Stuart Piner
322 Iberian Chiffchaff Devonshire Rock Gardens 03/05/2011 Dave McGrath
321 Short-toed Lark Fleetwood Marsh Nature Park 24/04/2011 Ian Gardner
320 Red-breasted Goose Fluke Hall Lane 24/10/2010 Bob Danson
319 Balearic Shearwater Starr Gate 08/08/2010 Stephen Dunstan and Paul Slade
318 Caspian Gull Knott End 05/01/2010 Chris Batty
317 Ring-necked Duck Thornton ICI Reservoir 29/12/2009 Ian Gardner
316 Alpine Swift Pilling Marsh 15/04/2009 Frank Bird and Alan Hinchliffe
315 Cattle Egret Agglebys Pit 30/11/2008 Ian Latham
314 Bonaparte's Gull Marton Mere 03/05/2008 Paul Ellis
313 Caspian Tern Rossall Point 02/07/2007 Chris Batty and Ian Gardner
312 Common Rosefinch Pilling Lane 30/05/2007 Peter Rhind
311 Great White Egret Warton Marsh 17/02/2007 Nick Patel
310 Laughing Gull Marton Mere 09/04/2006 Maurice Jones, Mike McGough, and Pauline McGough
309 Lesser Scaup Myerscough Quarry 06/10/2005 Chris Batty
308 Chough Cocker's Dyke 12/08/2005 Chris Batty and Bob Danson
307 Great Knot Skippool Creek 31/07/2004 Chris Batty
306 Red-rumped Swallow Marton Mere 18/04/2004 Maurice Jones
305 Dusky Warbler Fairhaven Dunes 23/10/2003 Maurice Jones
304 Great Reed Warbler Marton Mere 21/05/2003 Len Blacow
303 Bluethroat Ingol 15/04/2003 unknown
302 Ross's Goose Eagland Hill 04/02/2003 Bob Danson
301 Ivory Gull Granny's Bay 13/02/2002 Keith Sharrock and Peter Smith
300 Rose-coloured Starling St Annes 06/07/2001 G Ashworth and P Ashworth
299 American Wigeon Pilling Marsh 19/09/2000 Chris Batty
298 Golden Oriole Marton Mere 14/05/2000 Tony Sharples
Hypothetical species
Species that have been suspected on the Fylde in recent decades but are yet to be submitted to the relevant committees for assessment comprise Black-browed Albatross (Starr Gate 2019), Black Scoter (Starr Gate 2018), Baillon's Crake (Knott End 2016 sound recording only), Black-headed Bunting (Rossall Point 2005), and Oriental Pratincole (Pilling Marsh 1997; currently accepted as Collared Pratincole).
What's next?
With up to four species a year being added to the Fylde List so far during this millennium we hope that at least Blue-winged Teal (Marton Mere?), Spotted Sandpiper (Shard Bridge?), Franklin's Gull (Skippool Creek?), Black Kite (Cockerham?), Penduline Tit (Thornton Marsh Farm?), Western Bonelli's Warbler (Lowther Gardens?), Hume's Warbler (Blackpool Pleasure Beach Railway Bushes?), Greenish Warbler (Fairhaven Lake?), Marsh Warbler (Rossall School?), Dartford Warbler (Lytham St Annes Nature Reserve?), Red-flanked Bluetail (Fleetwood Cemetery?), Pied Wheatear (St Annes Beach?), and Eastern Yellow Wagtail (Knott End sound recording only?) will be recorded on the Fylde soon. We will keep looking.
The ranking follows the BOU British List. LINK https://bou.org.uk/the-british-list/
Recent additions to the Fylde List
Since the year 2000 36 species have been added to the Fylde List:
species location date finder(s) and notes
334 Elegant Tern Knott End 20/08/2021 Chris Batty
333 Pallid Swift Pilling Lane 14/11/2020 Paul Ellis
332 Olive-backed Pipit Knott End 14/10/2020 sound recording only (Chris Batty)
331 Blyth's Reed Warbler Knott End 01/06/2020 Chris Batty
330 Eastern Black-eared Wheatear Fluke Hall 01/09/2019 Paul Ellis and Paul Slade (previously a record of unidentified Black-eared Wheatear species at Lytham in 1940)
329 Serin Knott End 13/04/2019 sound recording only (Chris Batty)
328 Woodlark Knott End 20/10/2018 Chris Batty (sound recording only although a further individual there on 10/04/2020 was seen, and sound recorded)
327 Red-throated Pipit Knott End 11/10/2018 sound recording only (Chris Batty)
326 Pallid Harrier Cockersand 16/09/2018 Ian Hartley
325 Buff-bellied Pipit Cockersand 04/05/2014 Stuart Piner
324 Semipalmated Sandpiper Knott End 12/11/2013 Chris Batty
323 Solitary Sandpiper Humblescough Farm 02/10/2011 Stuart Piner
322 Iberian Chiffchaff Devonshire Rock Gardens 03/05/2011 Dave McGrath
321 Short-toed Lark Fleetwood Marsh Nature Park 24/04/2011 Ian Gardner
320 Red-breasted Goose Fluke Hall Lane 24/10/2010 Bob Danson
319 Balearic Shearwater Starr Gate 08/08/2010 Stephen Dunstan and Paul Slade
318 Caspian Gull Knott End 05/01/2010 Chris Batty
317 Ring-necked Duck Thornton ICI Reservoir 29/12/2009 Ian Gardner
316 Alpine Swift Pilling Marsh 15/04/2009 Frank Bird and Alan Hinchliffe
315 Cattle Egret Agglebys Pit 30/11/2008 Ian Latham
314 Bonaparte's Gull Marton Mere 03/05/2008 Paul Ellis
313 Caspian Tern Rossall Point 02/07/2007 Chris Batty and Ian Gardner
312 Common Rosefinch Pilling Lane 30/05/2007 Peter Rhind
311 Great White Egret Warton Marsh 17/02/2007 Nick Patel
310 Laughing Gull Marton Mere 09/04/2006 Maurice Jones, Mike McGough, and Pauline McGough
309 Lesser Scaup Myerscough Quarry 06/10/2005 Chris Batty
308 Chough Cocker's Dyke 12/08/2005 Chris Batty and Bob Danson
307 Great Knot Skippool Creek 31/07/2004 Chris Batty
306 Red-rumped Swallow Marton Mere 18/04/2004 Maurice Jones
305 Dusky Warbler Fairhaven Dunes 23/10/2003 Maurice Jones
304 Great Reed Warbler Marton Mere 21/05/2003 Len Blacow
303 Bluethroat Ingol 15/04/2003 unknown
302 Ross's Goose Eagland Hill 04/02/2003 Bob Danson
301 Ivory Gull Granny's Bay 13/02/2002 Keith Sharrock and Peter Smith
300 Rose-coloured Starling St Annes 06/07/2001 G Ashworth and P Ashworth
299 American Wigeon Pilling Marsh 19/09/2000 Chris Batty
298 Golden Oriole Marton Mere 14/05/2000 Tony Sharples
Hypothetical species
Species that have been suspected on the Fylde in recent decades but are yet to be submitted to the relevant committees for assessment comprise Black-browed Albatross (Starr Gate 2019), Black Scoter (Starr Gate 2018), Baillon's Crake (Knott End 2016 sound recording only), Black-headed Bunting (Rossall Point 2005), and Oriental Pratincole (Pilling Marsh 1997; currently accepted as Collared Pratincole).
What's next?
With up to four species a year being added to the Fylde List so far during this millennium we hope that at least Blue-winged Teal (Marton Mere?), Spotted Sandpiper (Shard Bridge?), Franklin's Gull (Skippool Creek?), Black Kite (Cockerham?), Penduline Tit (Thornton Marsh Farm?), Western Bonelli's Warbler (Lowther Gardens?), Hume's Warbler (Blackpool Pleasure Beach Railway Bushes?), Greenish Warbler (Fairhaven Lake?), Marsh Warbler (Rossall School?), Dartford Warbler (Lytham St Annes Nature Reserve?), Red-flanked Bluetail (Fleetwood Cemetery?), Pied Wheatear (St Annes Beach?), and Eastern Yellow Wagtail (Knott End sound recording only?) will be recorded on the Fylde soon. We will keep looking.
The ranking follows the BOU British List. LINK https://bou.org.uk/the-british-list/
Complete Lists of all Submitted

Fylde_ranking_master_list.xls | |
File Size: | 113 kb |
File Type: | xls |