Saturday 9th September 2006
	A brisk early autumn day with the highlight a Paddyfield Warbler which was trapped and ringed on St Mary's (Scilly), but as is often the case it could not be found again after its release. A Snowy Owl found the remote rocky habitat of The Mullet (Co.Mayo) to its liking and showed well throughout the day. Two Cattle Egrets at Stanpit Marsh/Hengistbury Head (Dorset) may well have been the same individuals present in north Kent on Thursday. A Red-rumped Swallow was reported amongst large numbers of hirundines at Jockey Shield (Cumbria) in the evening and a White-winged Black Tern flew past East Tilbury (Essex). What was presumed to be the White Pelican seen previously in Kent and Essex made a surprise reappearance at Nosterfield (N.Yorks). At this rate it may eventually meet up with the other roaming individual in Northumberland! The adult Bonaparte's Gull continued to show well at Newbiggin (N'berland) and American waders continued to be well represented by five Semipalmated Sandpipers, one Baird's Sandpiper, two White-rumped Sandpipers, a Lesser Yellowlegs, a Long-billed Dowitcher and seven Buff-breasted Sandpipers, but the only new arrival was an adult American Golden Plover on Lewis (W.Isles). Remaining rarities included Subalpine Warbler on Bryher (Scilly) and Red-footed Falcon at Minsmere (Suffolk) Inland birders had a lively day with Pectoral Sandpipers turning up at several reservoirs and gravel pits, while what was presumably the same Long-tailed Skua moved from Pitsford Reservoir (Northants) to Queen Mother Reservoir (Berks), but the most unusual inland report was a Barred Warbler at Sewardstone Marsh (Essex).
-  Andy Symes, RBA