Saturday 31st March 2007
	A Red-flanked Bluetail in an Easington garden, East Yorkshire was the highlight of the day. Amazingly, this bird was present in the same 'magic garden' that has also played host to White's Thrush and Pine Grosbeak in recent years. This is only the third time this species has been recorded in spring, following individuals on Holy Island in April 1995 and on Fetlar in May 1971. The East Yorkshire coast is currently enjoying somewhat of a purple patch for eastern vagrants, with the Bluetail being found less than a week after the Black-throated Thrush in Buckton. However, there was a rather sad end to proceedings this evening; after showing well from late afternoon into the evening, the bird was picked up dead at around 7pm. In Bedfordshire the Red-rumped Swallow at Brogborough Lake remained on show all day and entertained an appreciative weekend crowd. Elsewhere, long stayers were represented by the Glossy Ibis in Lancashire, Lesser Scaup in Somerset, Black-eared Kite and pair of Red-breasted Geese in Norfolk, Barrow's Goldeneye in Forth and Dusky Warbler in Cornwall, whilst the Lesser Scaup in Edinburgh continued to show well.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA