Friday 10th November 2006
	The big news of the day was of Britain's first Long-billed Murrelet which was belatedly identified from photographs.  The bird had been on the sea all afternoon off Dawlish, Devon last Tuesday (7th November), when it was reported as a Little Auk.  Photographs of it were subsequently posted on the Dawlish Warren website www.dawlishwarren.co.uk and Dick Filby's attention was drawn to them early this afternoon a Mega Alert swiftly followed.  Although the bird has not been seen since Tuesday it has not been extensively searched for, so hopefully coverage this weekend will result in its relocation. Other good birds reported today included an adult Ring-billed Gull at Carsington Water, Derbyshire and a Great White Egret over Walthamstow Reservoirs, London. Rarities lingering from recent days included the Cattle Egret in Devon, Red-breasted Geese in Lincolnshire and Dorset, Long-billed Dowitchers in Kent and Devon and the Spotted Sandpipers in Devon and Cornwall. In Lancs the Glossy Ibis is still at Fluke Hall, whilst in Ireland there is still a Forster's Tern in Co.Louth and a White-rumped Sandpiper in Co.Wicklow.
-  Simon Mitchell, RBA