Year Total at 427

As the year is now coming to a close, the total number of species now recorded in Britain and Ireland (combined) has petered out at 427, some 20 less than last year's record total of 447 species.

The additional species since my last update included the EASTERN CROWNED WARBLER in South Tyneside, the UPLAND SANDPIPER in Caithness and the AMERICAN MOURNING DOVE and SWAINSON'S THRUSH in Ireland.

We are still missing both ISABELLINE SHRIKE and DESERT WHEATEAR in 2009 (both still feasible) as well as BRUNNICH'S GUILLEMOT and ROSS'S GULL. There are also a few wildfowl possibilities (Lee G R Evans)