Daily news summaries

Catch up with RBA's daily birdnews summaries. Browse ten days at a time, or choose a date to read summaries from that day backwards.

Daily summaries are available from 13 April 2006. For earlier weekly reviews, visit our articles.

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Sunday 28th October 2007  
  Two Red-rumped Swallows were discovered today - one in the south, on St Mary's, Isles of Scilly and one in the north, at Port Nis, Lewis, Western Isles.

In Norfolk the Olive-backed Pipit was still in Wells Woods, but remained extremely elusive, showing briefly on the odd occasion during the morning. Dusky Warblers could be found at Spurn, East Yorkshire, Reculver, Kent, and St Agnes, Isles of Scilly, where the elusive Rose-breasted Grosbeak made another late afternoon appearance near the Post Office.

The male Pine Bunting, male Subalpine Warbler and Bluethroat all remained on Fair Isle, whilst American Golden Plovers were still at Aberlady Bay, Lothian, Annan, Dumfries and Galloway, between Kilnsea and Easington, East Yorkshire and a new bird was discovered on The Lizard, Cornwall.

In Devon the Long-billed Dowitcher was still at Bowling Green Marsh RSPB, the Spotted Sandpiper was still at Lisvane Reservoir, the White-winged Black Tern continued to come and go at Loch of Skene, Aberdeenshire, a Ferruginous Duck remained at Chew Valley Lake, Somerset and the long-staying Killdeer was still on Mainland Shetland.

Ireland continued to host a Red-rumped Swallow on Tory Island, Co Donegal.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA
Saturday 27th October 2007  
  A Blyth's Pipit was new in on Fair Isle, Shetland where it joined the male Pine Bunting. An Olive-backed Pipit was seen briefly in Wells Woods, Norfolk. Birders looking for yesterday's Laughing Gull at Fidwell Fen, Cambridgeshire had consolation in the form of a flyover Great White Egret, while two Great White Egrets remained out on the saltmarsh at Wells, Norfolk. Other new finds included a brief Red-throated Pipit on St Mary's, Isles of Scilly, Red-rumped Swallow on Tory Island, County Donegal and a Dusky Warbler on the Lizard in Cornwall.

The Rose-breasted Grosbeak put in a frustratingly brief appearance on St Agnes while a Wilson's Snipe remained on nearby St Mary's. Other lingering rarities included Glossy Ibis in Merseyside, Ross's Geese in Norfolk and Lothian, Lesser Scaups in Somerset, Wiltshire and County Donegal, Black Kite in Lincolnshire, Spotted Sandpiper in Glamorgan, American Golden Plovers in Carmarthernshire and Lothian, Long-billed Dowitcher in Devon, the late White-winged Black Tern in Aberdeenshire and Dusky Warblers in East Yorkshire, Kent and Scilly.

A scatter of Great Grey Shrikes, Rough-legged Buzzards, Pallas's and Yellow-browed Warblers and Lapland Buntings provided interest along the east coast.
-  Andy Symes, RBA
Friday 26th October 2007  
  Both the male Pine Bunting on Fair Isle and the male Rose-breasted Grosbeak on Scilly remained, although the grosbeak continued to be mobile and elusive. A Laughing Gull was reported from Essex, and one roosted in Cambridgeshire this evening.

A Dusky Warbler was on St.Agnes, Scilly, and another American Golden Plover joined the one on South Uist. Two Great White Egrets continued to show in the mirky gloom of Wells-Stiffkey saltmarsh, Norfolk, with another flying over Minsmere RSPB, Suffolk.

Dusky Warblers remained at Spurn, Yorkshire and Reculver, Kent, and the Spotted Sandpiper was still at Llanishen Reservoir, Glamorgan. The Long-billed Dowitcher showed distantly at Bowling Green Marsh, Devon and several Pallas's Warblers and Rough-legged Buzzards were seen around the country.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Thursday 25th October 2007  
  A male Pine Bunting made landfall on Fair Isle, Shetland this afternoon, but the Rose-breasted Grosbeak on St Agnes, Isles of Scilly was a considerably more popular attraction - the bird remained on show on and off throughout the day. Elsewhere Dusky Warblers were discovered at Bishopstone Glen, Kent and Spurn Point, East Yorkshire.

Lingering rarities included Spotted Sandpiper in Glamorgan, Long-billed Dowitcher in Devon, American Golden Plovers in Lothian and Dumfries and Galloway, a couple of Ross's Geese in Lothian and a singleton in Norfolk, Wilson's Snipe on Isles of Scilly, Killdeer on Shetland and White-winged Black Tern in Aberdeenshire

Ten Pallas's Warblers were reported, as where five Richard's Pipits, a Bluethroat, four Barred Warblers and a couple of Rough-legged Buzzards.

In Ireland a Night Heron was on Cape Clear Island.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA
Wednesday 24th October 2007  
  The first winter Rose-breasted Grosbeak remained on St.Agnes, Isles of Scilly, but proved to be fairly mobile, although good views were available with patience. In North Yorkshire, a Pechora Pipit was found mid afternoon just north of Robin Hoods Bay, but quickly disappeared. Two new American Golden Plovers were found, one in Dumfries and Galloway at Annan, and one on County Down, in Cloghy Bay.

A Long-billed Dowitcher was at Bowling Green Marsh briefly late afternoon, and a Cattle Egret was in Sussex at Pagham Harbour for a few minutes before flying north east. In County Galway a juvenile Collared Pratincole was reported, together with a Red-rumped Swallow.

Two Great White Egrets remained in Norfolk, with another still at Rainham Marshes, London. Several Ross's Geese were reported from the east coast, and a few Pallas's Warblers were seen along the south coast, with good numbers of Yellow-browed Warblers still around.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Tuesday 23rd October 2007  
  The highlight of the day was the discovery of a Rose-breasted Grosbeak on St Agnes, Isles of Scilly in the late afternoon. Also on the island during the day were Rose-coloured Starling and Spoonbill whilst on Tresco the Blyth's Pipit was still present and on Bryher the Blyth's Reed Warbler showed again. On St Mary's the Wilson's Snipe and Blackpoll Warbler were seen along with three Pallas's Warblers and two Red-breasted Flycatchers. Ten Yellow-browed Warblers were recorded around the archipelago.

Elsewhere in England, Cornwall held Blyth's Pipit, Dusky Warbler and American Golden Plover with Laughing Gull in adjacent Devon and Lesser Scaup in Somerset. The Red-flanked Bluetail and an American Golden Plover remained in Yorkshire, as did Cattle Egret and Great White Egret in London, Ross's Goose and Great White Egret in Norfolk, Black Kite in Lincolnshire, Glossy Ibis in Merseyside and Great White Egret in Lancashire.

In Scotland the two Ross's Geese were relocated in Angus, White-winged Black Tern seen in Aberdeenshire, American Golden Plover in Lothian and both Killdeer and Dusky Warbler were on the Shetland Isles. In Wales the Semipalmated Sandpiper and Spotted Sandpiper remained in Pembrokeshire and Glamorgan respectively and in Ireland the Dusky Warbler was still in County Cork as were the Long-billed Dowitcher in County Derry and American Golden Plover in County Down.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Monday 22nd October 2007  
  The highlight of the day was the discovery of three Dusky Warblers; at St Levan Cornwall, Ballycotton County Cork and on Fair Isle Shetland Isles. An American Golden Plover was new at Aberlady Bay, Lothian.

Lingering rarities comprised the Red-flanked Bluetail in East Yorkshire, Blyth's Pipit in Cornwall, Spotted Sandpiper in Glamorgan, Killdeer and White-rumped Sandpiper on the Shetland Isles, American Golden Plover in Cambridgeshire, White-winged Black Tern in Aberdeenshire, Cattle Egret in London, Lesser Scaup in Somerset and Great White Egrets in County Derry, Lancashire and Norfolk.

On the Isles of Scilly St Mary's held the Wilson's Snipe, Blackpoll Warbler, Grey-cheeked Thrush, two Pallas's Warblers and a Red-breasted Flycatcher, Tresco the Blyth's Pipit, Spotted Crake, Lapland Bunting and Spoonbill, St Agnes Rustic Bunting and a Rose-coloured Starling and Bryher the Blyth's Reed Warbler. Six Yellow-browed Warblers were seen around the archipelago.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Sunday 21st October 2007  
  Against all odds, the Red-flanked Bluetail remained in the Old Fall area of Flamborough Head, East Yorkshire, for its second day. Sunday was quiet in terms of discoveries, but odds and sods included a Radde's Warbler on The Lizard, Cornwall, White-winged Black Tern at Loch of Skene, Aberdeenshire and American Golden Plover at Maxey Gravel Pits, Cambridgeshire. Great White Egrets made appearances at Blythburgh, Suffolk, Attenborough NR, Nottinghamshire and Hill Head, Hampshire.

Lingering rarities on the Mainland included Blyth's Pipit at Sennen and American Golden Plover at Shortlanesend, Cornwall, Semipalmated Sandpiper on Gann Estuary, Pembrokeshire, Spotted Sandpiper at Lisvane Reservoir, Glamorgan, Cattle Egret at Rainham Marshes RSPB, London and Black Kite in Lincolnshire.

Scilly produced the Blyth's Pipit, Blyth's Reed Warbler, Wilson's Snipe (along with another snipe also thought to be most likely a delicata), Blackpoll Warbler and Grey-cheeked Thrush. On Shetland both the Killdeer and White-rumped Sandpiper continued to frequent the Pool of Virkie.

At least seven Pallas's Warblers were reported today, and other quality scarcities included a Bluethroat at Sandwich Bay, Kent and Red-backed Shrike on Flamborough Head, along with the expected scattering of Richard's Pipits, Great Grey Shrikes and the odd Short-toed Lark.

Across the Irish Sea, the Isabelline Shrike remained on Mizen Head and a Lesser Scaup appeared in Co Donegal.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA
Saturday 20th October 2007  
  Flamborough Head continued its excellent run of form with the discovery of a Red-flanked Bluetail, which showed well in the Old Fall Plantation having previously been trapped and ringed in nearby gardens. Other new discoveries came in the form of a Blyth's Pipit at Sennen, Cornwall, a couple of Penduline Tits at Rye Harbour NR, East Sussex and a flyover at Spurn, East Yorkshire, Spotted Sandpiper at Lisvane Reservoir, Glamorgan, Bonaparte's Gull in Aberdeenshire and Subalpine Warbler on Fair Isle, Shetland.

A Lesser Scaup was located at Stourhead NT, Wiltshire and a couple of Ross's Geese were discovered amongst the Pink-footed Geese at Loch Leven, Perth and Kinross. American Golden Plovers were on Ythan Estuary, Aberdeenshire, South Uist, Western Isles, Shortlanesend, Cornwall and Llanrhystud, Ceredigion.

Great White Egrets came in twos, at Minsmere RSPB, Suffolk, and between Salthouse and Stiffkey on the North Norfolk coast, whilst a Cattle Egret and Great White Egret remained at Rainham Marshes RSPB. Another Great White Egret was on North Uist, Western Isles and the long-stayer remained at Leighton Moss RSPB, Lancashire. In Glamorgan the juvenile Semipalmated Sandpiper continued to show on the Gann Estuary, and the juvenile Little Bittern at Titchwell RSPB was still present, but it only showed briefly on two occasions in the morning. In Co Cork the Isabelline Shrike was still on Mizen Head.

On Isles of Scilly the Blyth's Pipit, Blyth's Reed Warbler, both Blackpoll Warblers and Grey-cheeked Thrush were all still present and a Pallas's Warbler was discovered at Porth Hellick, St Mary's.

On Mainland Shetland, the Killdeer and White-rumped Sandpiper were both still on offer.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA
Friday 19th October 2007  
  A juvenile Little Bittern was found at Titchwell RSPB mid afternoon, following hot on the heels of Norfolk's last Little Bittern, also at Titchwell during mid-summer. A Great White Egret was tracked along the north Norfolk coast this afternoon, first being seen past Sheringham, then over various sites, last being seen over Stiffkey just over an hour later. Another Great White Egret was at Holkham most of the afternoon, where the Hume's Yellow-browed Warbler was still present.

Scilly still hosted the two Blackpoll Warblers, both on St.Mary's, whilst the very elusive Grey-cheeked Thrush showed in flight only. The Blyth's Pipit showed well on Tresco, whilst the Blyth's Reed Warbler was still elusive on Bryher.

Two Cattle Egrets were found at Grove Ferry NNR, Kent this morning, although the second bird was only noticed whilst looking at the photographs taken of the first bird later in the day! Another Cattle Egret continued to show distantly at Rainham Marshes RSPB, London, with a Great White Egret at the same site. Shetland's highlight today was another new Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll.

As well as a few long staying rarities, new scarcities located today included several Red-breasted Flycatchers on the south coast and on Scilly, a Pallas's Warbler on The Lizard, Cornwall, Red-backed Shrike at Winterton Dunes, Norfolk and a Leach's Petrel at Draycote Water, Warwickshire.
-  Will Soar, RBA