Sunday 30th April 2006
	A male Subalpine Warbler was trapped and ringed on Hilbre Island, Wirral, in the morning but proved to be elusive during the rest of the day. Nearby a Great Grey Shrike was at Leasowe. A 1st summer Laughing Gull was at Penzance, a new White-billed Diver was off south Mainland, Shetland and a Great White Egret was reported over Earith Gravel Pits, Cambs. One of two Hornemann's Arctic Redpolls, first reported yesterday, was still at Hermaness, Unst, Shetland. Long-staying rarities included the Bonaparte's Gull at Belfast Lough County Antrim, the Franklin's Gull at Northam Burrows Country Park, Devon, the American Golden Plover at Cemlyn Lagoon, Anglesey, and the drake Lesser Scaup at Swithland Reservoir in Leicestershire. There was a Hoopoe at West Bexington, Dorset, a Montagu's Harrier near Belfast Lough RSPB, County Down, a popular Dotterel at Salthouse, Norfolk and patch watchers were rewarded with plenty of spring migrants including a number of Common Scoters and Arctic Terns on inland waters.
-  Chris Batty, RBA