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| Tuesday 26th September 2006 | ||
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| A quieter day than yesterday with new rarities including an Arctic Warbler on Coll, Argyll and an American Golden Plover on South Uist, Western Isles whilst the
Bonelli's warbler at St Abb's Head, Borders was heard to call and proved itself to be a
Western. The Pallid Harrier remained in Norfolk as did the Eastern Olivaceous Warbler in Co Cork, Turkestan Shrike on Western Isles, Long-billed Dowitcher in Worcestershire, Citrine Wagtail in Co Kerry, Semipalmated Sandpipers in both Co Kerry and Co Wexford and Black-winged Stilt in Carmarthenshire. During the afternoon the Marbled Duck at Stanpit Marsh, Dorset allowed a very close approach; apparently the bird present in East Sussex yesterday had been equally confiding. Birders on the Scilly Isles continues to enjoy a trickle of rarities and scarcities amongst good numbers of commoner migrants with a Subalpine Warbler on St Agnes and a Bonell's warbler species on St Mary's being the highlights and Rose-coloured Starling, Hoopoe, Icterine Warbler, Richard's Pipit, Pectoral Sandpiper, Red-backed Shrike, two Wrynecks, Yellow-browed Warbler and Lapland Bunting as supporting cast. Meanwhile in Ireland, following the Azorean Yellow-legged Gull present yesterday in Co Kerry further candidates were located today in both Co Down and Co Dublin. |
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| - Chris Batty, RBA | ||
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Daily news summaries
Catch up with RBA's daily birdnews summaries. Browse ten days at a time, or choose a date to read summaries from that day backwards.
Daily summaries are available from 13 April 2006. For earlier weekly reviews, visit our articles.
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| Monday 25th September 2006 | ||
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| Another busy day with arguably the most notable discovery being another Marbled
Duck, this time at Rye Harbour, East Sussex whilst the original juvenile remained with a
Cattle Egret at Stanpit Marsh, Dorset. In Co Kerry a first-winter Citrine Wagtail was a new arrival at Derrymore as was a juvenile Semipalmated Sandpiper at Smerwick Harbour. In Co Donegal a female Red-footed Falcon made a brief appearance at Glencolumbkille. A Blyth's Reed Warbler was identified on North Ronaldsay, Orkney but a Bonelli's warbler at St Abb's Head, Borders was not assigned to species. A Long-billed Dowitcher was an excellent find inland at Upper Bittell Reservoir, Worcestershire. Many lingering rarities included the Pallid Harrier in Norfolk, Isabelline Wheatear on Anglesey, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler in Co Cork, Isabelline Shrike on Western Isles, Western Bonelli's Warbler on Scilly, Black-winged Stilt in Carmarthenshire, Bonaparte's Gull in Northumberland, Greenish Warbler in Co Durham and Wilson's Phalarope in Cornwall. In Co Kerry an adult Yellow-legged Gull with well extensive head streaking forming a neat hood was seen again at Carrahane Strand (it was first noted here on 6th September). This bird seem to be a very strong candidate for an Azorean Yellow-legged Gull (form atlantis) also known as Atlantic Gull. This form has previously been suspected in the British Isles on several occasions (in at least Co Waterford, Co Cork, Co Kerry and the Western Isles) but has never been proven to occur here. |
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| - Chris Batty, RBA | ||
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| Sunday 24th September 2006 | ||
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| Star find of the day was a Pechora Pipit at Flamborough Head in East
Yorkshire, but unfortunately it did not remain long. Another top find was an Eastern
Olivaceous Warbler on Cape Clear, County Cork, although its identity took a
while to confirm. A Black-winged Stilt at Coedbach Marsh in
Carmarthenshire may well have been the bird from Tacumshin in County Wexford
relocating itself. A Greenish Warbler was at Whitburn Coastal Park,
County Durham and a Bonelli's Warbler sp. was on Bardsey, Gwynedd.
Shetland produced a new Citrine Wagtail, on the Out Skerries, and the Black
Scoter reappeared at Llanfairfechan in Conwy.
The Marbled Duck found yesterday evening at Stanpit Marsh in Dorset generated much interest but it's origin is sure to remain controversial. There were two other major rarities found yesterday that remained popular today: the Isabelline Wheatear at Carmel Head on Anglesey and the Pallid Harrier at Winterton in Norfolk. Lewis on the Western Isles continued to host an Isabelline Shrike, with the Western Bonelli's Warbler remaining on St.Agnes in The Scillies. Black-headed Bunting, Red-rumped Swallow and Arctic Warbler all remained on The Shetlands. A number of Wrynecks were found, primarily in the south west and there was an arrival of Yellow-browed Warblers on the north-east coast later in the day. There were half a dozen Hoopoes, with three in Ireland, and at least nine Honey Buzzards seen, of which several were departing south from the south coast. Two Rose-coloured Starlings were in East Anglia. |
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| - Pete Hayman, RBA | ||
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| Saturday 23rd September 2006 | ||
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| There was something of an electric atmosphere today with the major attractions being a juvenile
Pallid Harrier that lingered all day at Winterton, Norfolk and an Isabelline Wheatear (actually first seen yesterday) that showed well at Carmel Head, Anglesey. Other notable discoveries included a brief Pallid Swift over Portland, Dorset, an Arctic Warbler on St Mary's, Isles of Scilly, a Citrine Wagtail at Scatness, Shetland Isles, a Wilson's Phalarope at Loop Head, Co Clare and a White-winged Black Tern at William Girling Reservoir, London. Rarities found yesterday that remained overnight included the Isabelline Shrike on Western Isles, Western Bonelli's Warbler on Isles of Scilly, Semipalmated Sandpiper in Gloucestershire and Black-winged Stilt in Co Wexford whilst long staying rarities included both Least Sandpiper and Wilson's Phalarope in Cornwall and Pechora Pipit and Arctic Warbler on Shetland Isles. Reports of a probable Eleonora's Falcon over Plymstock, Devon and a Marbled Duck at Stanpit Marsh, Dorset are likely to be treated with an equal degree of intrigue and skepticism. |
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| - Chris Batty, RBA | ||
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| Friday 22nd September 2006 | ||
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| Slimbridge WWT (Glos) was the place to be today as the counties first Semipalmated
Sandpiper was found on The Dumbles at high tide in the morning. The bird
showed well from the Holden Tower but then moved to the Severn Estuary as the
tide receded where it became more distant. During its time on The Dumbles it was
joined by a brace of Buff-breasted Sandpipers, which, along with the
three juvenile Pectoral Sandpipers already present combined to complete
an astonishing day for the county. On Lewis (W.Isles) a 1st-winter Isabelline
Shrike was found at Brue, while other new rarities consisted of a Western
Bonelli's Warbler on St. Agnes, Black Kite on the Isle of Wight, and
both Black-winged Stilt and Semipalmated Sandpiper in Co. Wexford.
The Black-winged Stilt was at Tacumshin and continues an astonishing run of form
at the site since the start of September. The roll of honour is truly
mouth-watering for a single site and is comprised of Citrine Wagtail, American
Golden Plover, Baird's Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper, two Pectoral
Sandpipers, up to eight Buff-breasted Sandpipers, Tawny Pipit, and Melodious
Warbler. Other notable sightings today include a Little Bunting on Fair
Isle, Kentish Plover in Gloucestershire, a couple of new Melodious
Warblers, three Hoopoes, Ortolan Buntings in Cornwall and Dorset,
Rose-coloured Starling in Norfolk, and a plethora of Pectoral
Sandpipers and Wrynecks.
Top drawer remaining rarities included both Pechora Pipit and Olive-backed Pipit on Fair Isle, Arctic Warbler on Mainland Shetland, both Least Sandpiper and Wilson's Phalarope in Cornwall, both Black-headed Bunting and Booted Warbler on Fetlar, and Lesser Yellowlegs in Aberdeenshire. A 1st-winter Black-eared Wheatear was also reported from Zennor (Cornwall). On the local front, Little Stint numbers continue to build across the country and Black Terns continue to be widespread |
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| - Richard Moores, RBA | ||
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| Thursday 21st September 2006 | ||
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| The Shetland Isles continued to hog the limelight with Fetlar hosting Pechora
Pipit, Black-headed Bunting, Booted Warbler and Buff-breasted
Sandpiper, Fair Isle still holding Pechora Pipit, Aquatic Warbler and
Buff-breasted Sandpiper and on Shetland Mainland Arctic Warbler,
Black-headed Bunting and Red-rumped Swallow. Cornwall also produced star birds with a Little Shearwater passing Mousehole, the Least Sandpiper remaining on the Hayle Estuary and the Wilson's Phalarope at Stithians Reservoir. Discoveries elsewhere included at Semiplamated Sandpiper in Pagham Harbour, West Sussex briefly and a Lesser Yellowlegs at Rosslare Back Strand, Co Wexford. |
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| - Chris Batty, RBA | ||
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| Wednesday 20th September 2006 | ||
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| Highlight of the day, at least for the lucky two who found it, was Hampshire's first record of Western Sandpiper. Unfortunately there was no further sign of the juvenile bird after the initial mornings sighting. Hampshire listers will be hoping that this extreme rarity re-appears over the next few days. Other new rare waders comprised of a Baird's Sandpiper at St. John's Lake (Cornwall), American Golden Plover on Lewis (W.Isles) and a Lesser Yellowlegs in Co. Cork. The wandering Glossy Ibis continued its' journey north, appearing briefly at Martin Mere WWT during the afternoon, although its' presence was not appreciated by the local gull population and was promptly harassed off the reserve. Otherwise it was again fairly quiet with the best of the rest including a Red-necked Phalarope in Dorset, Wryneck in Solihull (W.Mids) while the Pectoral Sandpiper totals at both Slimbridge WWT (Glos) and Lissagriffin (Co. Cork) has increased to three. Remaining rarities included the Pechora Pipit on Fair Isle, Wilson's Phalarope and Least Sandpiper in Cornwall, and White-winged Black Tern in Northumberland. | ||
| - Richard Moores, RBA | ||
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| Tuesday 19th September 2006 | ||
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| A reasonably quiet day compared to days of late with the only new rarities being an American Golden Plover and Bonaparte's Gull in Co. Kerry and a White-winged Black Tern at Whittle Dene Reservoirs (Northumberland). In Scilly the Arctic Warbler remained on St. Agnes with other remaining popular rarities included the Least Sandpiper and Wilson's Phalarope in Cornwall, Black-headed Bunting in Shetland, Lesser Yellowlegs in Aberdeenshire and Bonaparte's Gull in Northumberland. Other new birds worthy of mention include a Short-toed Lark on Bardsey Island (Gwynedd), Ortolan Bunting on Noss (Shetland), Tawny Pipit at Tacumshin (Co. Wexford) and Spotted Crake at Marton Mere LNR (Lancs). | ||
| - Richard Moores, RBA | ||
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| Monday 18th September 2006 | ||
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| Another busy day with the star birds on the Shetland Isles: Pechora Pipit and
Booted Warbler were both discovered on Fetlar whilst on Fair Isle the lingering Pechora Pipit was joined by both
Olive-backed Pipit and Red-throated Pipit and on Fetlar a Siberian Stonechat
was found. Meanwhile, the Scilly Isles held attention with an Arctic Warbler on St Agnes and another brief view of the suspected Eleonora's Falcon on St Mary's; the fourth such sighting in a week. The Glossy Ibis at Swadlincote, Derbyshire was confirmed but then promptly flew off over Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire and a juvenile Red-footed Falcon was reported at Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire. Lingering Nearctic waders included both Least Sandpiper and Wilson's Phalarope in Cornwall whilst a Spotted Sandpiper at Sutton Bingham Reservoir, Somerset and a Baird's Sandpiper at Cross Lough, Co Mayo were new discoveries. |
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| - Chris Batty, RBA | ||
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| Sunday 17th September 2006 | ||
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| A juvenile Least Sandpiper on the Hayle Estuary RSPB, Cornwall was the
star find during another busy autumn day. In Buckinghamshire a remarkable report
came in the form of a male Lesser Kestrel over farmland north of Little
Marlow for forty five minutes early afternoon. Other new rarities included a
Blyth's Reed Warbler at Skateraw, Lothian, Greenish Warbler on Noss,
Shetland and American Golden Plover at Tacumshin, County Wexford. In
Cornwall the Wilson's Phalarope was relocated at Stithians Reservoir and
in Aberdeenshire the Lesser Yellowlegs moved to Meikle Loch.
In County Wexford, Tacumshin continued to host a mouth watering list of rarities; as well as the American Golden Plover, White-rumped, Baird's, Buff-breasted and Pectoral Sandpipers and a Citrine Wagtail were on offer. On Shetland Pechora Pipit, Black-headed Bunting, Citrine Wagtail and Red-rumped Swallow were distributed across the archipelago and in Angus the Blyth's Reed Warbler continued to show on and off in Auchmithie. |
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| - Stuart Piner, RBA | ||
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