Saturday 19th August 2006
	Yesterday's upturn in good birds continued, although it seems that the juvenile Roller did depart from South Gare (Cleveland) the previous night as there were no reported sightings today. Once again, the east coast between Yorkshire and Aberdeenshire proved the place to be, with five Greenish Warblers including two new birds on Holy Island (N'berland) and another at Flamborough Head (E.Yorks). Wrynecks, Red-backed Shrikes, Barred Warblers and Icterine Warblers were also seen at various sites along this stretch of coast, with Flamborough also claiming a brief Common Rosefinch. These welcome early autumn scarcities arrived with a good supporting cast of Pied Flycatchers, Whinchats, Garden Warblers and Wood Warblers. The wader highlight was undoubtedly a juvenile Broad-billed Sandpiper at Aberlady Bay (Lothian), with honourable mentions going to the adult Buff-breasted Sandpiper relocated at Warham Greens (Norfolk), and lingering Stilt Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher and Lesser Yellowlegs. The unusually co-operative Aquatic Warblers at Slimbridge WWT (Glos) and Seasalter (Kent) further helped remove thoughts of over-friendly pelicans from many birders' minds, while a brief adult Laughing Gull on the Lune Estuary (Lancs) was a reminder that gulls are well worth checking even in August.
-  Andy Symes, RBA