397 and Rising – Competition - Sussex Ornithological Society

397 and Rising – Competition

In the past year another six species have been added to the county list. Five of them – Pallid Harrier, Blyth’s Reed Warbler, Isabelline Wheatear, Citrine Wagtail and Buff-bellied Pipit were all recorded in Sussex for the first time. In addition, the British Ornithologists Union split Siberian Stonechat from Eurasian Stonechat so that too was added to the county list. You’ll be able to read all about these additions in the 2011 Sussex Bird Report.

The Sussex county list now stands at 397. So what will be the 400th species for the list? Will the sea-watchers come up with a Great Shearwater? Or will it be a transatlantic vagrant such as Red-eyed Vireo – after all they’re recorded annually in the southwest of the country. Maybe it will be a bird from the near continent such as a Short-toed Treecreeper? They’ve been caught at Dungeness so it’s about time one turned up in a mist net somewhere in Sussex. Then again, number 400 could come from the east. A male Siberian Rubythroat which stayed around for a few days in spring certainly wouldn’t go amiss! Of course when it does happen – and I don’t know when that will be – it might be something of an anti-climax and come about from another BOU ‘split’. Will BOU decide that Black Brant isn’t a subspecies of Brent Goose after all but an entirely separate species? Your guess is as good as mine which brings me to the point of this.

Let me know what you think number 400 will be and you could win £50.

Entry is simple and the rules are set out below. I look forward to receiving your predictions.

Rules

The competition is only open to SOS members.
Each member is allowed to nominate no more than three species.
Entries should be sent by e-mail to: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . In the Subject Line write ‘Sussex 400’ then, in the body of the e-mail put the name(s) of your nominated species followed by your name. All entries will be acknowledged.
Entries must be received by 31st January 2013.
In the event of more than one member correctly predicting the 400th species, their names will be placed in a hat and the winner’s name drawn out by the SOS President.
If no correct prediction is received the prize will not be awarded.