April was okay, but nothing to write home about, considering March had us on No2 slot for year to date, April didn't add much beyond the expected.
May which as we know isn't even half way, has blown the doors off. 132 for year to date equals the heady heights of 2012, but we've still got 20 days left and interesting weather heading our way right now.
If we didn't add another species until August we would still have podium positions;
June
134 in 2012
131 in 2003
129 in 2016
July
136 in 2012
133 in 2003
129 in 2016
August
138 in 2012
134 in 2016
133 in 2003
Even an August podium is guaranteed, as we usually see Whinchat, Spotted Flycatcher, Black-tailed Godwit, frequently get Pintail and high chance of other waders too, not forgetting an Osprey if everyone keeps looking up.
September should bring Stonechat and maybe a Curlew later in the month, a Ruff would be nice and later still a Brambling?
Frankly if ever the year list total could be smashed we've never been set up better than this, the best years are;
142 - 2012
141 - 1983
140 - 2014 & 2016
139 - 1984
138 - 2010 & 2013
Whilst it has no bearing on the future I've pulled out the numbers of species added from June to Dec from 2008 to 2016
2016 - 11
2015 - 15
2014 - 19
2013 - 13
2012 - 12
2011 - 17
2010 - 19
2009 - 16
2008 - 9
One needs a view of the species seen to get a better picture and I haven't got time to do that, but safe to say it's been a pretty comprehensive first 4 months and 11 days, so there are few gaps, but knowing we haven't had Black-tailed Godwit, Pintail, Stonechat, Curlew, Brambling, Osprey, Spot Fly, to name just a few of the more or less annuals, we have a big opportunity.
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