Daily News Summaries
This page gives you access to all of RBA's daily news summaries (since April 13, 2006), 10 days at a time. The most recent are shown, or you can select a specific date to show (along with the previous 10 days). Prior to April 13, 2006 you can find weekly reviews, located in articles.
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Tuesday 6th March 2007  
  In south Wales, the Glaucous-winged Gull failed to put in an appearance all day in the Ferryside area of Carmarthenshire, much to the disappointment of many, as it continued to prove difficult to pin down. Nearby, in Pembrokeshire, the Pacific Diver did prove more obliging as it continued it's stay at Llys-y-Fran Reservoir. Cornwall continued to host some top quality birds, with the Gyr seen again at dawn at Stepper Point, the Franklin's Gull again at Hayle along with the White-billed Diver and Spotted Sandpiper and at Newquay the Dusky Warbler was still in residence. In Ireland a new adult Bonaparte's Gull was at Blennerville in County Kerry and the Long-billed Dowitcher remained at Dundalk Docks in County Louth.

Following recent arrivals of some early summer migrants, there were reports of House Martins in Norfolk and Dorset and double figures of Sand Martins in Devon.
Pete Hayman, RBA
Monday 5th March 2007  
  The Glaucous-winged Gull on the Tywi Estuary, Carmarthenshire was, once again, the highlight of the day for a select few. Present again near Ferryside for less than an hour in the late morning before departing to the south, it continues to frustrate many would-be twitchers.

Elsewhere, the Pacific Diver remained at Llys-y-Fran Reservoir, Pembrokeshire as did the Barrow's Goldeneye at Loch Venachar, Forth and the Black-eared Kite near Snettisham, Norfolk.

In Cornwall the white morph Gyr continued to use Stepper Point as a roost site and both the White-billed Diver and Spotted Sandpiper remained on the Hayle Estuary. Other lingering rarities included the Snowy Owl on the Western Isles, Cattle Egret in Devon and Lesser Scaups in both Dumfries and Galloway and Perth and Kinross.
Chris Batty, RBA
Sunday 4th March 2007  
  For many birders it was a wet, dismal day in south Wales as the Glaucous-winged Gull was only seen very briefly near Ferryside in Carmarthenshire late in the afternoon. The Pacific Diver did remain on view, however, not far away at Llys-y-Fran Reservoir, in Pembrokeshire. Cornwall also still had many attractions, with the Gyr near Padstow, and the White-billed Diver at Hayle, topping the list. However, there was no sign today of yesterday's Franklin's Gull at Hayle, but the Spotted Sandpiper was still to be seen, with the American Wigeon still near Wadebridge and the Yellow-browed Warbler still in Penzance. In Devon, both the Cattle Egret at Otterton and the Surf Scoter at Beer remained. Other long-stayers included the Barrow's Goldeneye in Forth and Lesser Scaups in Dumfries & Galloway and Perth & Kinross. A White-tailed Eagle continued to entertain in Aberdeenshire as did a Lesser Snow Goose in Lancashire.

An American Golden Plover was a new find near Sleaford in Lincolnshire, with the only other new bird today being a possible Bonaparte's Gull near Nimmo's Pier in Galway, in Ireland.
Pete Hayman, RBA
Thursday 1st March 2007  
  Cornwall remains the birding county of choice with the elusive immature white Gyr still present by the Camel Estuary near Padstow. Only seen at dawn and dusk today this elusive bird is presumably using Stepper Point primarily as a roost site and feeding elsewhere. Elsewhere in the county the White-billed Diver, Spotted Sandpiper and probable Central Asian Lesser Whitethroat all showed well at the Hayle Estuary, the Dusky Warbler remained in Newquay and what was thought to be the Pacific Diver was watched distantly in Mount's Bay.

Major rarities elsewhere comprised the Pacific Diver still at Llys-y-Fran Reservoir, Pembrokeshire, Barrow's Goldeneye at Loch Venachar, Forth and Black-eared Kite at Snettisham, Norfolk.

In Scotland Black-throated Thrush, Snowy Owl, White-tailed Eagle and Lesser Scaup were all seen again whilst Ireland continued to host Forster's Tern, American Herring Gull and Long-billed Dowitcher.
Chris Batty, RBA
Wednesday 28th February 2007  
  The highlight of the day was the reappearance of the confiding White-billed Diver on the Hayle Estuary, Cornwall. The bird remained with a small group of Great Northern Divers throughout the day and showed very well. Supporting cast at this site included the wintering Spotted Sandpiper and Lesser Whitethroat, the latter thought probably to be of Central Asian form halimodendri.

Elsewhere, the Barrow's Goldeneye remained in Forth as did the Black-eared Kite in Norfolk, Bonaparte's Gull in Angus, Lesser Scaup in Dumfries and Galloway, Long-billed Dowitchers in Kent and Co Louth and both Forster's Tern and American Herring Gull in Co Galway.

The Glossy Ibis reappeared at Ballam, Lancashire and the Laughing Gull in Devon relocated to Seaton. Despite adverse weather, Sand Martins pushed north as far as Cumbria and a Little Ringed Plover arrived in Greater Manchester.
Chris Batty, RBA
Sunday 25th February 2007  
  Today was a day of more of the same. Two birds found in recent days, the Dusky Warbler in Cornwall and the Laughing Gull in Devon, both put in appearances. In Argyll, in west Scotland, both the Ross's Gull and the Black-throated Thrush were to be seen and both Pacific Divers, in Cornwall and south Wales, remained.

Two White-billed Divers on Lewis, at Tiumpan Head, may have been the birds seen yesterday at Skigersta, or maybe there are four birds now in the area. In Perth and Kinross, a second Lesser Scaup joined the long staying bird at Loch Leven. Many other long staying rarities could be found around the country, including two Barrow's Goldeneyes, the Bufflehead in Ireland and the Black-eared Kite in Norfolk.

Other interesting records included a Rough-legged Buzzard at Snettisham in Norfolk, an Avocet on Mainland Orkney and an arrival of Mealy Redpolls on the Northern Isles. A Grey Phalarope remained on the Thames in London and a Temminck's Stint remained at Slimbridge in Gloucestershire, with a large number of 'white-winged' gulls now present in Ireland.
Pete Hayman, RBA
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