Saturday 16th December 2006
	A possible first-winter drake Redhead was reported from County Westmeath in Ireland with two Ring-necked Ducks, whilst a Ferruginous Duck was found in County Armagh. In Britain easily the best new rarity was a first-winter Laughing Gull found in Conwy. Considering last year's influx it is perhaps surprising that this was yet another new bird rather than a returning individual. In Ayrshire there was disappointment for many when the Ivory Gull was not relocated, but virtually all of the other long-staying rarities were still present today including most notably the Ross's Gull in Argyll, Black-eared Kite in Norfolk and Black Scoter in Conwy. Several Caspian, Glaucous and Iceland Gulls were seen at scattered locations nationwide.
-  Simon Mitchell, RBA