400 Species barrier now surpassed in 2009

The total number of species recorded in 2009 has now risen to at least 403 species, with recent weeks adding a further 11 species including a first record - TUFTED PUFFIN - as well as MADEIRAN STORM PETREL (certainly 1 but probably two records, both off Pendeen Watchpoint, West Cornwall), RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD (an 'at sea' record off SW Ireland), SANDHILL CRANE (Orkney bird), YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO (one-dayer on Orkney), BOOTED WARBLER (3 records), TAIGA FLYCATCHER (on Fetlar, Shetland), SAXAUL GREY SHRIKE (first record for Scilly), HORNEMANN'S ARCTIC REDPOLL (Foula), BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER (on St Kilda) and BLACK-HEADED BUNTING (two records)