Saturday 20th January 2007
	A drake Falcated Duck discovered late in the day at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB, Norfolk, is likely to spark more debate on the origin of the recent individuals in Britain. Hopefully it should be possible to work out whether it is one of the two drakes seen until recently in Kent and Devon. Other rare wildfowl included the Blue-winged Teal in County Dublin (reported today for the first time in two weeks), the Barrow's Goldeneyes in County Antrim and Forth, and the drake Bufflehead on Shetland. Rarities in the South-west of England were comprised of the Laughing Gull, Cattle Egret, American Golden Plover and Spotted Sandpiper which all remained. In Essex the Penduline Tit at Rainham Marshes RSPB was once again supported by the re-appearing Grey Phalarope. Nearby in Kent, the Ferruginous Duck was present at New Hythe and another more recently discovered bird was still at Elstow Clay Pits in Bedfordshire. The popular Lesser Yellowlegs was still at Thornham Harbour, Norfolk.
-  Simon Mitchell, RBA