Friday 9th May 2008
	Eagle sightings was today's main talking point - a probable Lesser Spotted Eagle was claimed flying over Glanford, Norfolk, then a further three sightings of an eagle species followed in the county. In Dorset a probable White-tailed Eagle flew over Hartland Moor then Bestwall. Red-footed Falcons were discovered at Northward Hill RSPB and Oare Marshes RSPB, Kent, Pugneys Country Park, West Yorkshire and on the Nottinghamshire/ Derbyshire border, near Selston. These may just be the forerunners of what could a significant invasion of this species given the numbers currently on the near continent and the weather forecast for the weekend ahead. An amazing sixteen Bee-eaters were briefly on the cliff at Beachy Head early afternoon and in Conwy a Whiskered Tern was at Conwy RSPB early afternoon, before relocating to Inner Marsh Farm RSPB, Cheshire, this evening. Black Kite sightings came from Lancashire, Cambridgeshire, Kent and Shetland and a Subalpine Warbler was on Fair Isle. Twenty three Cattle Egrets flew over Polgigga, Cornwall. In Norfolk the Baikal Teal remained on Blakeney freshmarsh, but unfortunately a colour-ring appeared to be just about visible on the right leg. In Ireland Mizen Head hosted an impressive selection of rarities and scarcities - two Subalpine Warblers, Ortolan Bunting, Woodchat Shrike, Short-toed Lark and Golden Oriole.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA