Monday 28 September 2009

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)