Sunday 13th August 2006
	A Paddyfield Warbler at Kilnsea, East Yorkshire was an astonishing find so early in the autumn. The bird was trapped and ringed early evening then released along Beacon Lane. This is the first August record in Britain, although one was trapped on Guernsey, Channel Islands on 19th August 2003. Elsewhere there was significantly more rarity action than in recent days. New finds in Norfolk included a White-rumped Sandpiper at Snettisham RSPB and a Great White Egret flew northwest near Reepham. In Scotland an adult Laughing Gull was discovered at Brora, Highland. The adult Stilt Sandpiper remained on Brownsea Island National Trust Lagoon and the Snowy Owl was again seen on North Uist, Western Isles. Ferruginous Ducks remained at Blithfield Reservoir, Staffordshire and Loch Gelly, Fife and the Cattle Egret was seen again in Northamptonshire, albeit briefly. Off Scilly another Wilson's Petrel was seen from a pelagic this evening and in Ireland the adult Long-billed Dowitcher remained at Shannon Airport Lagoon, County Clare. Scarce migrants were also a little more abundant than they have been, with Norfolk producing two Barred Warblers, singles on Blakeney Point and East Hills. Spurn and Kilnsea, East Yorkshire both hosted a Wryneck, as did Dursey Island, County Cork. The Red-backed Shrike remained in West Sussex and Spotted Crakes were again seen at Grove Ferry, Kent and Beddington sewage farm, London. East-coast Seawatchers were again rewarded with some impressive totals; Cory's, Great and Balearic Shearwaters, Long-tailed and Pom Skuas and Leach's Petrels all featured in the totals from several watchpoints, with the odd Sabine's Gull also noted.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA