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Welcome to the Patchwork Challenge 2026!
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1. Please read the following instructions and rules, and then continue by filling in the sign up sheet and defining your patch. Refer to the Minileauges section
( below) to define your site and measure out a 3km² area (Google Earth can be handy for this). Add your name, patch name, minileague, previous score
(if you have one). Same goes for a 10km radius from your home. 10km radius is NOT a 3km² patch that is 10km from your home.

The above details will be transferred by us into the main scores tab when we get the chance. Please email patchworkchallenge@gmail.com if you need any help.

2. You will then be able to update your scores and species totals, along with recording your personal highlights and anything that you think may need appealing.

3. To work out your scores, you will need to use the seperate PWC Personal Scoresheet and download your own copy to edit. You will use this to calculate your
scores and input them to this sheet as you go along. Copy and paste link for personal scoresheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1StaqDQR-NmkJkmNKL8TJPeOAqhSJJiq7/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=113047683030856504866&rtpof=true&sd=true

Ideally you will be working your patch for most of the year to see the birds that come with each season. As a general rule of thumb, we won't be accepting patches that are
watched for less that two thirds of the year to encourage the spirit of patching the same area.

If you need us to change anything, please comment on the relevant cell/row.

Happy birding, good luck!
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Patch rules:
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The rules are pretty simple. Your patch MUST have an area of 3km² maximum (3 x 1km squares) or less as seen in the below examples.
It doesn’t have to be rectangular, or comply with any OS grid lines; but it does have to be a shape somewhat similar to those below examples. It can't be a spider of paths
connecting to create a very large area. It has to be 3km² or smaller.

*10km radius from home is its own league and not compared against 3km². If you wish to do a 10km from home radius, we reccomend you do a 3km² patch too as these
are the most competetive and considered for prizes. To find examples of these, look below.

The birds that count to your score can be both within the boundaries of your patch (i.e. you don’t need to be), birds that you see or hear while on your patch that are either
within your patch boundaries or that are outside your patch area, but for the latter to count you must be stood within your patch area. So, heard only birds count, distant
passing birds count, flyovers count, and birds flushed from the patch while you approach your site count.

Green:
If you are keeping a 'Green' list, then you must only travel to and from your patch by means of public transport, cycling or on foot. Birding within this area
must also be done without a vehicle.

Unfortunately, to keep things in the here and now, we won’t be able to wait for rarities committees to verify records of rare birds. I should imagine the majority of rare or
mega birds will be of suitable interest to other birders to attract some ‘external verification’, as will many of the scarce birds. However, more than one observer will see
not everything so we’ll just have to rely on the honesty of the competitors.

Lastly, have fun and enjoy the competition!
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Example 10km radius from home patch (below):
or a
Example 3km² patch (below):
Example 3km² patch:
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