Saturday 6th May 2006
	Red-rumped Swallows were the flavour of the day, with one reaching as far north as Shetland and another arriving on Cape Clear Island, Co.Cork. Other singles were found in Cleveland, Isle of Wight and Devon. Equally prominent were Black Kites, the lions share being found in Kent; two flew over Abbot's Cliff, whilst singles were logged over Bockhill Farm and Walland Marsh, Another drifted north over Minsmere RSPB, Suffolk. A Greenish Warbler was reported at Gringley Carr, Nottinghamshire, singing and showing well for thirty minutes; if genuine, this is a truly remarkable inland record, especially so early in the year. A far more expected passerine for the time of year was a male Western Subalpine Warbler on St.Mary's, Isles of Scilly. In Scotland an adult drake King Eider graced the Ythan Estuary and a probable Iberian Chiffchaff was singing at Pressmennan Lake, near Dunbar, Lothian, for it's second day. In Lancashire, the 3 Black-winged Stilts continued to entertain at Martin Mere WWT, along with a Pectoral Sandpiper. Also in the Northwest, the elusive Subalpine Warbler continued to frustrate would-be observers on Hilbre Island. Yesterdays Rose-breasted Grosbeak was reported again at Holme early morning, but if still present, it did an excellent job of hiding for the rest of the day. The long-staying Franklin's Gull remained at Northam Burrows Country Park and in Ireland the drake Blue-winged Teal was still in Co.Down, and the adult Laughing Gull remained in Galway. Pick of the bunch from the national scarcities was a Woodchat Shrike at Torver Low Common, Cumbria, but an Hoopoe at Beeley Moor, Derbyshire was also an excellent local record. Other highlights included Short-toed Lark on Fair Isle, Woodchat Shrike on North Ronaldsay, Grey Headed Wagtail at Black Rock Sands, Gwynedd and Tawny Pipit at Flamborough Head, whilst Norfolk contributed Grey-headed Wagtail at West Runton, Kentish Plover at Snettisham and Purple Heron at Titchwell.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA