Tuesday 27th May 2008
	The amazing occurrence of both a Stilt Sandpiper and Marsh Sandpiper at Rutland Water, Leicestershire was today's headline event - the former lingered until 2.55pm when it flew high to the west and the latter was found early evening. Two county firsts, both on the same lagoon, at the same site, on the same day - remarkable. Easterly winds coincided with rainfall on the east coast and produced an excellent fall of scarcities. Birders at Spurn enjoyed the highest numbers - at least seven Icterine Warblers, six Red-backed Shrikes, two Red-spotted Bluethroats, three Marsh Warblers, two Grey-headed Wagtails and a Red-breasted Flycatcher were all discovered on the peninsula. Common Rosefinches and further Red-backed Shrikes, Icterine Warblers and Red-breasted Flycatchers were scattered along the east coast between Aberdeenshire and Suffolk. A female Citrine Wagtail at Titchwell RSPB, Red-throated Pipit on Blakeney Point, Red-spotted Bluethroat at West Runton and Icterine Warblers at Cley and Wells Woods were the star finds in Norfolk. The remaining new rarities included a Whiskered Tern at Llangorse Lake, Powys, White-winged Black Tern at Lodmoor RSPB, White-billed Diver in Highland, Black-winged Stilts in Co Cork and Co Tipperary and on Bardsey Island, a Subalpine Warbler was re-trapped, having previously been ringed on the island on 13th May. A Pectoral Sandpiper in Carmarthenshire, Purple Heron in Gloucestershire, Bee-eater in Highland and Black Duck in Co Donegal are also all worth a mention.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA