Friday 21st July 2006
	An adult White-winged Black Tern was found on North Bull Island, County Dublin and was later relocated at Sandymount Strand. Elsewhere in Ireland the first-summer American Black Tern was still at Lady's Island Lake, County Wexford until midday at least, and a Great Shearwater flew past Cape Clear Island, County Cork. Rarities across the Irish Sea included the Lesser Yellowlegs in Lincolnshire, Laughing Gull in East Sussex, Ferruginous Duck in Fife, and in Borders the ultra-elusive Black Stork made another brief appearance near Houndwood. A Wilson's Petrel was seen off a Scilly pelagic in the evening and a Great White Egret was reported near Maldon at Howell's Farm, Essex. However, perhaps the most important news of the day involved the Pine Grosbeak in Hertfordshire. Unfortunately, the bird was bred in captivity in 2004, and escaped from an aviary in Essex on 23rd June. By writing to 'Cage and Aviary Birds' magazine, the finder of the grosbeak was able to locate the owner of the bird, who states that it is in fact a female that has been fed in a way that changes the plumage to look like a male bird.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA