Tuesday 18th April 2006
	The most intriguing report of the day was of an orange-billed tern in the Christchurch Harbour area of Dorset – could it have been a return visit by last years’ Elegant Tern? Also found during the day were an Alpine Swift at Walmer in Kent, a White-billed Diver off Harris (Western Isles) and an inland Richard’s Pipit at Witcham in Cambridgeshire. The American Golden Plover remained on Anglesey, as did the Bonaparte’s Gull in Oxfordshire and the Blue-winged Teal in Northumberland. Several long-staying rarities continued to entertain, including the Lesser Scaup at Swithland in Leicestershire, half a dozen Alpine Swifts, the Woodchat Shrike in Dorset and the Long-billed Dowitcher on the Hayle in Cornwall. A Spotted Crake was singing at Malltraeth in Anglesey, Hoopoes were in Nottinghamshire and Shropshire but a reminder of winter was provided by the Shorelark which remained at Minsmere in Suffolk and a couple of flocks of Waxwings still around.
-  Richard Moores, RBA