Wednesday 24th May 2006
	Seabirds continued to dictate proceedings with the most notable event being the 170+Long-tailed Skuas that were counted off Troon harbour during the morning before continuing their migration overland. Storm Petrels were once again prominent with wrecked birds littering the length of the English Channel. The only new rarities were a Bee-eater over Maywick (Shetland) and a Red-rumped Swallow at Maenporth (Cornwall) although both were only seen briefly. In Lincolnshire the White-winged Black Tern showed up at Barton-Upon-Humber GPs at dawn and dusk but not in between. The Ramsey Island Subalpine Warbler remained on site, as did the King Eider at the Ythan Estuary (Aberdeenshire). Best of the rest included a male Ortolan Bunting on Fair Isle, single Bluethroats at South Gare (Cleveland) and on Fair Isle, female Red-necked Phalarope at Neumann’s Flash (Cheshire), Golden Oriole in off the sea at Cley (Norfolk) and a 1st summer Sabine’s Gull that flew south past Formby Point (Merseyside). Many birders bemoaned their chances of ever reaching the Sula Sgeir Black-browed Albatross, as it sank in that this remote rock was not readily reached by your average boat charter. One option was offered today – specially reduced by 33% for RBA customers – to £999 each! A week long trip leaving next Saturday from Oban to Aberdeen via Berneray, St. Kilda, The Flannan Islands, North Rona, Sula Sgeir, Foula and Fair Isle – surely a trip to find a spring MEGA on – if only it was possible to take a whole week off at such short notice!
-  Richard Moores, RBA