Very impressive total Simon. Could be a good year if things continue in the same vein.

As some of you already know, I am starting pan-species listing.  This is a way of celebrating biodiversity by ensuring that all groups are recognised.

For those who aren't aware, pan-species listing is a list of all valid species of animals, plants and fungi seen within the British Isles.  This includes the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.  Obviously there are some grey areas as to what can and can't be counted but as a general rule it must be alive and living wild.  However invertebrate trap samples also count for most listers.  I work on the principle that if I set-up or was involved in the running of the trap then I will count it.  So a for a light trap, I don't have to actually see the moth coming to the trap, I just have to be present whilst the trap is running.  If not then I have to be at the set-up and emptying of the trap.  No twitching rare potted moths on the south coast when they get reported.

Obviously I started with birds and have a fairly respectable 215, of which 5 have been added this year (Western Sandpiper, Rough-legged Buzzard, Great Grey Shrike, Arctic Redpoll and Water Pipit).  Last year I tried to hammer insects and found it rather hard going.  I still have a pile to identify.  The most recent addition was Trox scaber a common beetle which lives in birds' nests.  My coleoptera list stands at a disappointing 15 (4000+ British species to see, a long way to go).  Healthiest is my lepidoptera list which, thanks to a few moth watchers with DaNES, stands at 75. 

The total is currently 432.  From the smallest (close run between Black Ant, Lasius niger and the Two-toothed Door Snail Clausilia bidentata) to the largest (Beech, Fagus sylvatica).  My target is 800 by the end of the year.  I'm not going to keep this thread up-to-date with every determination I make (entomologists talk about determinations, not identifications) but I will include significant milestones, unusual species found in the valley and the like.

To reach the top of the rankings I would need to add another 10 000 to my current list.  I suppose when I get there I will truly appreciate the biodiversity of the British Isles.