Wednesday 15th November 2006
	The main news of the day broke late, when the Black Kite at Holbeach St Matthew, Lincolnshire was re-identifed as a Black-eared Kite (Milvus migrans lineatus). The form lineatus is the Eastern Palearctic counterpart of Black Kite, and is the first British record of the form. It is currently treated as a separate species by some authorities (Sibley and Monroe and Dutch Birding Association) though not by the BOU. There was disappointment for some when the Long-billed Murrelet could not be relocated off Dawlish, Devon although high winds and choppy seas may have allowed the bird to avoid detection. The other main news of the day involved a promising-looking female probable Redhead at Loch of Spiggie, Shetland.   Other long-staying rarities included the Red-breasted Geese in Lincolnshire various, Long-billed Dowitchers, the Cattle Egret in Devon, the Glossy Ibis in Lancs, the King Eider in Aberdeenshire and a Dusky Warbler at Spurn.
-  Simon Mitchell and Chris Batty, RBA